Implicit bias, often overlooked yet pervasive in healthcare, plays a pivotal role in shaping students' fieldwork experiences. As students embark on gaining knowledge and insight into their profession, bias and systemic racism can create barriers that impact student experiences, professional development, and clinical reasoning skills. This interactive workshop is designed to empower fieldwork educators with the essential tools to recognize and mitigate the influence of implicit bias, with a focus on understanding the social and cultural realities of minoritized student and client populations. Join us as we foster an inclusive and supportive environment to engage in this necessary conversation.

Learning Objectives:

Explain the significance and background on accommodations for Level II fieldwork
Summarize key findings from a doctoral research project related to educator perceptions, student experiences, and systemic barriers to accommodations.
Identify evidence-based best practices and recommendations to promote equity and inclusivity in fieldwork education.
Examine examples of accommodations used in Level II fieldwork, taking into account different practice settings and student needs.

About the presenter:

Courtney Gohean, EdD, MS, OTR/L, is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Thomas Jefferson University. She brings nearly two decades of clinical experience across acute care, acute inpatient rehabilitation, and older adult outpatient settings. Courtney completed her Doctorate in Higher Education at West Chester University in May 2025. Her scholarship focuses on fieldwork accommodations for students with disabilities, including a recent Nexus Grant and a poster presentation at the 2025 AOTA Conference. She is actively involved in institutional and regional committees supporting student success, wellness, and innovation in occupational therapy education.