Andrea Harrison

Background

About Andrea Harrison

Andrea is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Occupational Therapy Program. Upon completion of her degree, she started her career at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital working in acute inpatient mental health. She did her second fieldwork experience there and fell in love with the patient population and the exciting, “never know what will happen in a day” atmosphere. She introduced new project and program ideas, but also advocated for her patients by helping to create a policy for the use of technological devices on the units and was appointed to the Patient Care Council to improve patient rights, care, and be instrumental in addressing patients’ needs. Later she was voted by coworkers to become a co-chair for the council. Her interest in clinical education started early in her career as she volunteered and created a presentation/orientation for nursing and therapy students, educating them on the mission, vision, and goals of mental health inpatient programs. She also took on numerous fieldwork students, a great majority from the University of Minnesota OT program. Her passion for OT academia has only grown. She has provided instructional support and assistance with the University of Minnesota OT program by co-instructing several of the courses and led the Occupational Therapy Process for Individuals: Psychosocial Approaches. She has also developed two courses for St. Catherine University OTA online program and is currently the course director/manager for two courses and teaches on-campus and online in the OTA program. Being a part of St. Catherine University as an assistant professor and the University of Minnesota OT program as adjunct/course instructor has given her a unique perspective regarding OT education and the importance for fieldwork to the student experience. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in education, specializing in postsecondary and adult education.