University of Southern Indiana

Barbara J. Williams, OTD, OTR
Director and Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy Program

Contact Information: Health Professions Center, Room 2087
Telephone (812) 461-5396
Email bjwilliams4@usi.edu or otinfo@usi.edu

AREAS OF OCCUPATION

Education

2004 Doctor of Occupational Therapy with Honors – Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2002 Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – Belmont University,
Nashville, Tennessee

2001 Bachelor of Science (magna cum laude) - University of Southern Indiana,
Evansville, Indiana

Work

Assistant Professor – Occupational Therapy Program University of Southern Indiana

Past and Current Teaching Responsibilities

OT310: Applied Pathophysiology - an introduction to occupational performance (areas, components, and contexts) and the multiframe theoretical approach. The course proceeds with an overview of the etiology, clinical course, management, and prognosis of disabilities, acute and chronic disease processes, and traumatic injuries, and examines the effects of such conditions on functional performance throughout the lifespan.

OT320: Professional Communication - development of professional level skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

OT441: Occupational Performance Areas II - Work and Productive
Activities - The emphasis of this course is the meaning and dynamics of purposeful activity to enhance lifespan role functioning, particularly in work and productive activities.

OT461: Professional Issues II - emphasizes integration and synthesis of professional coursework with clinical experiences.

OT683: Advanced Research Strategies - students conduct and disseminate scholarly work of the profession including examining, developing, refining, and evaluating the profession’s body of knowledge, theoretical base, and philosophical foundations.

OT690: Special Topics – Leadership - a concentrated study of leadership through in depth study of leadership theories, exploration of various leadership qualities, and critical analyzation of leadership literature.

OT691: Specialized Clinical Reasoning Skills - examines practice and integrates new knowledge using various types of clinical reasoning to develop and provide evidence-based specialized occupational therapy services.

OT699:  Occupational Therapy Synthesis - synthesis of preparation for advanced practice

I also continue practice as a Registered Occupational Therapist at HealthSouth Deaconess  Rehabilitation Hospital

Leisure

Most of my leisure time is spent with my family. Often I am attending or participating in some type of sporting event, particularly baseball and football. I also like to exercise, read, and travel.

Social Participation

Community – Advisory Board member of Jacob’s Village

Family – my husband’s name is David and I have three sons, Zac, Jake, and
Luke. As a family, we often attend athletic events and we love to
vacation at the beach.