Briana Dykstra

Briana Dykstra is an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program at Indiana Wesleyan University. She joined the university in 2022 as part of its faculty, having graduated from the same OTD program in 2018 as a member of its inaugural cohort. Prior to her academic role, she worked in outpatient pediatric clinics, the NICU at Ball Memorial Hospital, and acute adult rehabilitation settings. Her professional focus includes pediatric neurorehabilitation, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care, and feeding therapy, emphasizing clients' achievement of long-term goals and participation in daily life through adaptive measures when needed.

Dr. Dykstra holds a Bachelors in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology from Calvin College (2012) and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) from Indiana Wesleyan University (2018). Before pursuing her OTD, she worked as a movement-based preschool teacher and special education paraprofessional. She values collaborative work with parents and caregivers to support children’s developmental milestones.

Her research interests prioritize clinical applications in pediatric occupational therapy, particularly in neurorehabilitation and feeding interventions. Though no specific awards or grants are mentioned, her professional trajectory reflects a commitment to both clinical practice and academic coordination in fieldwork. No formal advisees or lab affiliations are disclosed in the provided text.