Biography
Ms. Thelander received a B.S. degree in History from Eastern New Mexico University and a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of New Mexico. Ms. Thelander has worked as a clinical occupational therapist in inpatient and outpatient adult rehabilitation settings, coordinated the assistive technology program at the New Mexico Veterans Administration Health Care System and conducted exoskeleton assisted walking training for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury with the VA Cooperative Studies Program. Ms. Thelander has been an instructor with the University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Graduate Program since 2014 with a focus on neurologic conditions and administrative/management subjects. Ms. Hill coordinates the problem based learning portions of the OTGP curricula as well as the Occupational Therapy Student Performance Assessment II (OTSPAII).
Personal Statement
Thelander has a passion for the historical roots of Occupational Therapy to provide humane treatment to people in inpatient, outpatient and community settings. Thelander has been a part of research on Exoskeleton Assisted Walking for Veterans who have experienced spinal cord injuries, and sees the power of assistive technology to return treasured occupations. Thelander has conducted research to delve into the perspectives of families who are homeschool educators. Hill is a fieldwork educator with the AgrAbility grant program.
Areas of Specialty
Assistive Technology
Adult Inpatient Rehabilitation including Intensive Care Unit
Adult Outpatient Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Certifications
Occupational Therapist Registered (NBCOT)
Assistive Technology Professional
Achievements & Awards
12/13/2022 Department of Pediatrics Faculty Service Award
5/13/2022 Alumni of the Year Award
Key Publications
Journal Article
Thelander, Mary, K 2025 Education and alternative drive controls for a client diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and schizophrenia. Assistive Technology Outcomes & Benefits, vol. 19, Issue 1, 139-151
Magazine/Trade Publication
Thelander, Mary, K 2025 The structure of your private practice. OT Practice, 2025February, 24-29 Book Review Hill, Mary, Thelander Submitted Book review: The path to private practice Reviewed for the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education Abstracts Poole, Janet, Carandang, K, , Hill, Mary, Thelander 2023 Support needed by people with systemic sclerosis to remain in the workforce [abstract]. Annals Rheumatic Diseases, , Abstracts Poole, Janet, Carandang, K, , Hill, Mary, Thelander 2023 Adaptation of the Making it WorkTM for People with Systemic Sclerosis [abstract]. Arthritis & Rheumatology. , ,
Gender
Female
Languages
- Spanish
- English
Courses Taught
OcTh 554L: ?Relationship Centered Care
OcTh 594C: Seminar (Psychometrics of ?Assessments)
OcTh 634L: Neuroscience of Occupation
OcTh 654: Administration and Organization
Research and Scholarship
Thelander, M., Salatin, B., Fahernbruck, M. L. (2025). Education and alternative drive controls for a client diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and schizophrenia. Assistive Technology Outcomes & Benefits (AOTB) 19(1), 139-151.
Thelander, M., and Tool, G. (2025, October 17). Selecting Your Private Practice Structure [Conference Presentation]. Arizona Occupational Therapy Association Conference. Mesa, AZ.
Poole, J. L., Carandang, K., Thelander, M., Koch, A., Dionne, T., & Lacaille, D. (2025). POS1452-HPR?Sustainment of improvement in job-related self-efficacy at 3- and 6-month post-participation: Proof-of-concept of the Making It Work with Systemic Sclerosis (miw-SS) Program. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 84, 1457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ard.2025.06.796
Iliff, S. L., Hill, M. T., White, R., & Alexander, A. (2023). Homeschool educators perspectives about student needs within occupational therapy scope of practice: A pilot study. Home School Researcher. 38(2), 1-7.
Wood, S., & Thelander-Hill, M. T. (2022). Avian Assisted Intervention During Covid-19 Pandemic Restrictions. Student Journal of Occupational Therapy, 3(1), 25-29. https://soar.usa.edu/sjot/vol3/iss1/3/