Sandra Pelham-Foster, MPA/HA, OTR/L

Assistant Professor

Sandra Pelham-Foster, started teaching at Pacific University in the fall of 2002. She has taught Professional Development, Evaluation and Intervention Skills, Occupational Explorations, and Child Development.

She studied OT South Africa. “I came here for a vacation and never went home.” She was the first OT to work for PT on Call which was a great way to introduce her to the OT community and to help establish her roots here. She has worked for the Providence Health System, the Beaverton School District, and at the Pediatric Developmental Clinic.  “I own a private practice, Optimum Performance Therapeutics which serves the pediatric population and offers consultation services to organizations addressing systemic issues.”

In 1998 she achieved the Board Certification in Pediatrics from AOTA Specialty programs. “I focused on feeding issues and specialized in a systematic oral sensory program.” Sandra attained a master’s degree in Public and Health Administration in 2000, completing it in two years while working full time. “It took me a while to balance myself again. I am proud of bouncing back after burnout. Having a caring support system was critical.” Her work on the OTAO board in multiple positions over the past 15 years is a boon to our profession.

Her “fun list” is much like her “achievement list”. She and her husband are remodeling a new fixer. They both enjoy white-water rafting “in the winter, when the snow is falling, and it is really cold;” skiing, biking, taking their dog and cat for a walk, “yes we all walk together, it is quite a sight,” Pilates and Body Flow exercise programs, knitting, and pot painting.

Her goal for the students is to understand that knowledge is a process. “It takes TIME. Our society is very pressed for time and yet the processes of life and growth only come about over time.  So while we may establish timelines to get projects done and say “you need to learn this by next week,” it is tempered with the understanding that time too will teach.”

Her personal goal is to learn the same lesson.

 

Recent Accomplishments/Awards