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Meet the Occupational Therapy Faculty and Staff

Tara Ruppert, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Director, Occupational Therapy Program
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

BSOT Occupational Therapy, Creighton University
Certificate in Upper Quarter Rehabilitation, Drexel University
OTD Occupational Therapy, George Washington University

truppert@v-lanterna.com
Ellie Cusic, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

OTD Occupational Therapy, Creighton University

Areas of Expertise
Physical rehabilitation with adult and geriatric population

Accomplishments and published articles
+ Read More

ecusic@v-lanterna.com
Jaime Garafalo-Peterson, OTD, OTR/L
Director of Clinical Education
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

BSOT Occupational Therapy, College of Saint Mary
BA Psychology, College of Saint Mary
OTD Occupational Therapy, University of Saint Augustine

Areas of+ Read More

jgarafalo-peterson@v-lanterna.com
Maureen Hoppe, EdD, MA, OTR/L, CHSE
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator

BS Occupational Therapy, Creighton University
MA Health Education, University of Nebraska, Omaha
Graduate Certificate of Specialization, Gerontology, University of+ Read More

mhoppe@v-lanterna.com
Whitney Merz, OTD, OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

BS Speech Communication, University of Nebraska at Omaha
OTD Occupational Therapy, Creighton University

Areas of Expertise
Pediatrics, Advocacy and Leadership+ Read More

wmerz@v-lanterna.com
Mary Smith, EdD, MOT, OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

BA Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
BSOT Occupational Therapy, Creighton University
MOT Occupational Therapy, College of Saint Mary
EdD, College of Saint Mary

mesmith@v-lanterna.com
Kristan Pilakowski, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

BA Psychology/Spanish, University of St. Thomas
OTD Occupational Therapy, Creighton University
Board Certified in Pediatrics

Areas of Expertise
Pediatric+ Read More

kpilakowski@v-lanterna.com
Adebimpe Obembe, DPT, PhD
Adebimpe Obembe, DPT, PhD
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

BS Physical Therapy, University of Ibadan
MS Physical Therapy, Obafemi Awolowo University 
PhD Neurologic Physical Therapy, Obafemi Awolowo+ Read More

aobembe@v-lanterna.com
Nicole Chipy EdD, OTR/L CLT
Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
Certified Lymphedema Therapist

BHS Occupational Therapy, University of Florida 
MHS Occupational Therapy, University of Florida
EdD Education and Healthcare Leadership, Nebraska Methodist+ Read More

nchipy@v-lanterna.com