Occupational Therapy Assistant
Faculty and Staff
Joanne Trammel MS, OTR/L
Program Coordinator / Clinical Senior Instructor
Office: Owen-Redfield Complex 256
Professional Work Experience
- Occupational Therapist - 30 years
- Practice areas include: Inpatient acute, Inpatient Rehab, Home Health, Acute Geriatric Psychiatry, Outpatient Rehab
- Special interest in Dementia
- Program Coordinator/Clinical Senior Instructor, ISU College of Technology OTA program – since 2016
Career Highlights
- Graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with my Master of Science in OT
- Graduated from UNC-Greensboro with my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Have practiced as an OT in 5 different states
- Came to Idaho as a traveling OT 20+ years ago
- Developed the Occupational Therapy-led Activities Therapy Program at Sawtooth Behavioral Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho.
- Certified Dementia Capable Care Instructor certified date: June 2013
- Participated in JHACO accreditation
- Teach caregiver education classes related to loved ones living with Dementia for ISU Continuing Education
- Active with the Alzheimer’s Association
One of my Favorite Professional Experiences…
I have had too many to count, but I can say that working with OT professionals across the country has been an awesome experience. I have worked with many COTA’s and the relationship is great when the communication is open. I have learned so much from COTA’s about difficult interventions. I found that the COTA’s I work with can have great insight into what the client needs and will find a unique way to make it happen.
This is most true in home health where I have spent much of my career. I spent time as a traveling therapist which took me to Cape Cod and then to Idaho. I have learned so many things from my home health patients. Things such as how to make crazy cake with boiled frosting, homemade noodles, card games, etc.
Being in Idaho these last 20+ years has rounded out my career and I found a passion for dementia while working in home health and that led me to my role in a geriatric psychiatric hospital in Twin Falls. That job was the proving ground for the community-based caregiver education classes I know teach through ISU Continuing Education/Workforce Training.
A Little About Me
I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to Asheville North Carolina when I was 6, and then to Idaho in 1994.
I am the youngest of 5 with 4 older brothers. I am married and have 2 children. My son is in the Navy and my daughter and her husband just blessed us with our first grandbaby.
I enjoy golf, gardening, fishing and family.
Kaden Todd Stimpson, COTA/L, BSHS
Clinical Instructor
Office: Owen-Redfield Complex 259
Professional Work Experience
- 6 years as a COTA/L in the Pocatello/Chubbuck SD25
- 8 years in 2 PRN roles at Hannah's Place and Bingham Memorial Hospital
- Some experience in skilled nursing and adult outpatient at Bingham Memorial
- ISU pediatric instructor since Fall 2022 semester
Career Highlights
I personally enjoy watching the children I have worked with grow up and become more independent in their schooling, home life, and social lives. Working with children is super fun. I get to let my inner child run free with a lot of my interventions and get down right alongside them and play games. I enjoy that I can work with the same child for years and watch them move into each one of their developmental milestones.
Favorite Professional Experience
My favorite professional experience has to be when I was a student in the program on my level 2 fieldwork in a pediatric hospital setting. I saw a kiddo who was extremely behind in their milestones. I was there to witness and help facilitate the kiddos first crawl, first steps, and many more firsts. This experience has really made me love what OT does!
A Little about me…
After I graduated high school I set out to become a PT, however life had other plans for me. After taking a few Generals my advisor approached me and asked if I knew what Occupational Therapy was. Since then I have been striving to become an excellent OTP. I met my wife in 2017 and was married in 2019. In 2022 we had our first child named Simon and in 2024 we welcomed our second son, Brodie. They have both been the best! I enjoy disc golf, regular golf, exploring new hobbies that my family can do together, watching and playing sports, and having game nights with family and friends.
Shannon Orr, COTA/L, BSHS
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator/Clinical Instructor
Office: Owen-Redfield Complex 259
Professional Work Experience
- 4 years as a COTA/L in Blackfoot School District #55 and Connections Therapy Centers
- Some experience in acute care at EIRMC
- ISU AFWC/Clinical Instructor since Fall 2025
Career Highlights
While I don't have one specific highlight, every bit of progress I've helped my clients make stands out as a meaningful achievement. I've found my passion working with children through a psychosocial lens and primitive reflex integration, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to help kids reach their full potential. What I value most is the relationships, celebrating breakthroughs with families, problem-solving with colleagues, and witnessing my client’s confidence grow as they develop new skills.
Favorite Professional Experience
One of my most rewarding professional experiences has been following clients I first met during my fieldwork rotations as a student and continuing to work with them after becoming an OTA. Watching these kids grow and develop while I've grown as a therapist has been incredibly meaningful; we've learned and progressed together. Now, moving into this new role at ISU has been so fun and exciting as I continue building on that foundation and connecting with a new community.
A Little About Me…
I've called Idaho home for over 10 years and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I'm happily married, and we spend most of our time as self-proclaimed couch potatoes when we're not chasing our toddler and golden doodle around the house. In my free time, I enjoy getting lost in a good book, hunting for treasures while thrifting, and working on various crafting projects.