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October 21, 2025
Speakers: Donna Whitehouse, OTR, EdD(c), and Piper Sesnan, OTD, OTR.
Donna Whitehouse, OTR, EdD(c), is the Dean of Health Sciences at Nashville State Community College and a licensed occupational therapist with over 30 years of clinical and academic experience. She has mentored students, new practitioners, and faculty throughout her career, focusing on building confidence, clinical reasoning, and professional identity. Donna currently leads health science programs across multiple disciplines and supports faculty in developing innovative, student-centered approaches to teaching and learning. She believes that mentorship is not just guidance—it's a powerful tool for shaping resilient, reflective practitioners prepared for the real-world challenges of healthcare.
Piper Sesnan, OTD, OTR, has over 22 years of experience in occupational therapy, including 13 years in adult rehab and 9 years as a professor at Nashville State Community College, serving as OTA Program Director for the past 6 years. A passionate advocate for mentorship, Piper has guided new graduates and faculty, valuing the growth it fosters in both mentors and mentees. She credits her own mentors for shaping her journey and is dedicated to advancing the OT profession through leadership, connection, and a strong commitment to student and colleague success.
Learning Objectives:
- Articulate the value that mentorship brings to professional growth and identity development throughout all stages of an occupational therapy career.
- Recognize the importance of engaging in both mentee and mentor roles at different points in their career journey and how each role contributes to personal and professional development.
- Identify the unique strengths and challenges of being a mentee versus being a mentor.
Course Description: How do we help occupational therapy practitioners at every career stage develop stronger professional confidence, find their authentic voice, and become the leaders our field needs? The answer often lies in mentorship – but not just any mentorship. This interactive virtual session explores how intentional mentoring relationships can transform professional identity development throughout your OT career.We'll dive into what makes mentorship truly effective for building confidence, strengthening professional values, and developing leadership skills. You'll discover practical strategies that work, from creating meaningful connections in your workplace to participating in mentorship opportunities that actually make a difference.This isn't just about pairing people up and hoping for the best. We'll tackle real challenges like time constraints, mismatched expectations, and how to make mentorship work across different practice settings. You'll learn about the surprising benefits that flow both ways – how mentoring others can actually strengthen your own professional identity and career growth.Expect engaging discussion, real-world examples, and plenty of time for questions and sharing experiences. This virtual format allows for rich conversation and peer learning as we explore mentorship together. Whether you're a new practitioner seeking guidance, a mid-career therapist looking to grow, or an experienced OT/OTA wanting to give back through mentoring, you'll walk away with concrete strategies and new connections.