Mar 21 2024 6:45 PM

Dr. India Yocum, an alumna of the Washington County High School Class of 2014, has become an occupational therapist. After high school, she attended Western Kentucky University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in exercise science in 2018. She then took a few more prerequisites through the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) in order to apply to graduate school. She was then accepted into the Spalding University Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy doctoral program, where she earned a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy this past January.  “I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare,” says Dr. Yocum. “I would always watch an occupational therapist working at my mom’s job at a very young age. By the time I was in the 8th grade, I started to do some research and I’ve had my mind on OT since. I am so happy with my decisions.”

Dr. Yocum says former Washington County teacher Rebecca Clark Brothers and current WCHS teacher Traci Blanford were instrumental in pushing her the most to excel. “They will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Dr. Yocum, who describes being an occupational therapist as being a “jack of all trades,” says her job includes evaluating and treating individuals of all ages who have injuries, disabilities or illnesses, a position that could be in various settings such as inpatient, outpatient, mental health settings, home health care, skilled nursing facilities and school systems.  “We provide holistic care, looking at the whole person and what’s meaningful and important to them. We help individuals identify goals and overcome physical, mental and social challenges so they can live at their highest level of independence. An occupational therapist will work with individuals to help them do the activities in their daily routine and provide resources they may need to feel safe and supported. Watching patients come in not walking, barely talking, on a ventilator and dependent for all their daily needs to then transition to walking out of the building and independently taking care of their daily needs is so rewarding to me. I also love watching a child meet developmental milestones they’ve been working so hard to achieve. It’s a win for the parents and the child.”

Dr. Yocum, who recently passed her board exam, will begin working full-time as an occupational therapist at Frazier Inpatient Rehab. “I am most proud of myself for getting the job I have always said I wanted. Prior to starting grad school, I watched many therapists at Frazier take care of a person very dear to me. I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I also had the opportunity to complete my level II clinical rotation at Frazier, and it’s so heartwarming to have been offered a job a year later. That let’s me know that I left a positive impact, even as a student. During my time as Frazier, I am sure I will grow into a well-rounded OT practitioner who is competent working with various populations, conditions and diagnoses. The opportunities there are endless!”