ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Jim Stieren

Jim Stieren: Building Upon Home Health Experience

Jim Stieren, OTD, recently joined Advent Health Home Care in Orlando, Florida. As part of one of the largest occupational therapy teams he’s ever worked with, he is embracing the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse and skilled group of home health professionals.

“Having that support, and getting to know some of my team members, is exciting,” he said.

With years of experience in home health, Stieren brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his patients—but he’s also committed to continuous growth. Currently, he’s focused on developing expertise in teaching patients and caregivers how to use self-measurement tools like the Borg RPE (rate of perceived exertion) scale.

“This scale can be used to teach them how to monitor their dyspnea and fatigue, along with how to improve their activity tolerance slowly and safely,” he explained. “Related to this, my goal is to help patients with heart failure learn methods such as energy conservation and self-monitoring to help prevent rehospitalization.”

Stieren’s advice to fellow OTD alumni is to embrace the vast opportunities within the field.

“There are endless opportunities and paths you take as an occupational therapist,” he said. “If you need a challenge, there are many continuing education tools within easy reach. Also, you can make a drastic change in settings, such as going from a school setting to an outpatient rehab facility.”

Looking ahead, Stieren hopes to take on a preceptor role within Advent Health Home Care to mentor emerging occupational therapists. He will also continue to nurture his passion for academia, having served as adjunct faculty at Baylor University since 2021.

“It has been a fantastic privilege to teach as adjunct faculty for Baylor Occupational Therapy,” he shared. “My goal is to keep growing and developing in this area—I learn a great deal from the students and other faculty every time I am in Waco! To any alumni who don’t have much teaching experience, but would like to, I highly recommend applying as adjunct faculty at Baylor.”