Pediatric Pioneers: A MedBridge Podcast

About Pediatric Pioneers: A MedBridge Podcast

Pediatric Pioneers is a Medbridge podcast breaking down challenging clinical questions in pediatric rehabilitation and equipping rehabilitation professionals with practical takeaways. To get continuing education credit for each episode and bonus resources, search for the episodes on medbridge.com and then complete the accompanying quiz. If you enjoy the show, please hit the follow button! IG: https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/medbridge/

Publisher

Medbridge

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Oct 2024

Latest episode

15 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

25 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Pediatric Pioneers Episode 25: Parent Engagement: Can Coaching and Partnering Drive Better Outcomes?

   In this episode, pediatric occupational therapist Stephanie Wagers, OTD, OTR/L (https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/stephanie-wagers), joins host Nicole Quint, PhD, DrOT, OTR/L, FAOTA (https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint), to discuss how to bridge the gap between clinical intent and true caregiver partnership. Together, they explore recent research on therapeutic alliance, unpacking how intentional communication and power-sharing can transform parent engagement even in complex scenarios. Listeners will discover an actionable three-step framework—connect, motivate, and coach—designed to uncover a family’s true motivating priorities and translate clinic sessions into seamless home routines. Tune in to learn how reframing everyday interactions, clarifying the “why” behind your interventions, and celebrating caregiver wins can drive better outcomes for the children and families you serve. Learning Outcomes Analyze the evidence on how the gap between clinical language and parents’ understanding affects caregiver engagement, therapeutic alliance, and goal attainment Apply evidence-based strategies (including occupational performance coaching, motivational interviewing, collaborative goal setting, and purposeful play) to improve caregiver carryover Solve patient case scenarios involving caregivers with varying engagement levels to overcome participation barriers and strengthen home carryover Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome (00:00:05) Guest introduction (00:02:36) The impact of COVID-19 on parent involvement (00:04:07) Understanding the trust divide between parents and clinicians (00:08:54) Research evidence supporting family-centered care (00:11:08) Power dynamics and communication strategies (00:13:40) Building trust and engaging families in survival mode (00:18:42) Applying the research to autism spectrum disorder cases (00:23:01) Using the CMC framework for family engagement (00:28:04) Tips for newer therapists (00:29:01) Strategies for overcoming challenging parent behaviors (00:36:05) The role of curiosity and validation in therapy (00:39:00) Communicating with families in school settings (00:42:40) Actionable takeaways (00:44:41) Case scenarios for practical application (00:49:10) Future trends: technology and pediatric therapy Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers) If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ (https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/)

2. 

   14 Aug 2026

   Pediatric Pioneers Episode 24: OT Advocacy: Is It Time to Rewrite Our School Role? (Live Podcast Recording)

   Join host Nicole Quint, PhD, DrOT, OTR/L, FAOTA (https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint), for an urgent and timely conversation with Jacque Sample, DrOT, MEd, OTR/L, FAOTA (https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/jacque-sample-occupational-therapy), an occupational therapist with over 25 years of expertise in school-based practice and public policy. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of the federal Department of Education and what potential restructuring means for the future of special education services. You will discover how to move beyond traditional roles, like handwriting intervention, to become a vital social change agent and leader at the policymaking table. Tune in to learn actionable strategies for building district-wide alliances and leveraging your state association to protect and advocate for your role in public schools. Learning Outcomes Analyze the evidence around the role of occupational therapy practitioners in leadership and advocacy within the school-based practice setting Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address shifting state education policies and funding structures resulting from federal-level departmental changes Solve patient case scenarios involving the utilization of the full occupational therapy scope of practice to protect and expand professional services in public schools Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome (00:00:05) Introduction to Pediatric Pioneers and OT advocacy (00:02:20) Dr. Jackie Sample's journey in OT advocacy (00:04:45) Understanding the federal Department of Education's role (00:08:00) Recent changes in special education policies (00:12:07) The importance of OT in school systems (00:17:50) Building relationships with educators (00:20:00) Strategies for effective advocacy (00:23:22) Advocacy vs. activism in occupational therapy (00:30:00) Navigating contractual employment in OT (00:38:26) Three actionable takeaways to align activism perspective with school-based practice (00:44:16) Inspirational stories of advocacy and activism (00:47:34) Engaging parents in advocacy (00:53:12) Insights from Zach: a personal perspective (01:08:35) Strategies to encourage OT in the classroom (01:13:32) Advice to OTAs on how to become stronger advocates (01:14:44) Next frontier in school-based practice Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers) If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ (https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/)

3. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Pediatric Pioneers Episode 23: AI in School Therapy: How Do We Ethically Integrate It Into Our Roles?

   Join host Nicole Quint, PhD, DrOT, OTR/L (https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint), as she sits down with school-based occupational therapy expert and founder of the OT Schoolhouse, Jayson Davies, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA (https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/jayson-davies), to explore the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in pediatric practice. In this conversation, they unpack recent clinical research, navigate the critical boundaries of FERPA/HIPAA compliance, and examine how AI can streamline data analysis and documentation without compromising clinical reasoning. Discover how shifting your perspective on AI tools from simple productivity hacks to universal design for learning (UDL) frameworks can maximize student participation and engagement. Tune in to gain practical strategies for collaborating with your interprofessional team, establishing internal district guidelines, and future-proofing your clinical practice against an evolving technological landscape. Learning Outcomes Analyze the evidence on the adoption, reliability, and current research on the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) in school-based therapy practice Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to effectively implement AI tools into clinical workflows while ensuring FERPA/HIPAA compliance and respecting collaborative team boundaries Solve case scenarios involving the integration of AI as a universal design for learning (UDL) tool to support student IEP goals and outcomes Timestamps (00:00:00) Welcome (00:00:00) Introduction to AI in occupational therapy (00:02:15) The journey of an OT entrepreneur (00:05:18) Exploring AI's role in occupational therapy (00:10:50) Research insights on AI in therapy (00:14:15) Clinical reasoning and AI integration (00:19:20) Future directions for AI in therapy (00:21:30) The narrative of AI in occupational therapy (00:22:50) Guiding questions for practitioners (00:35:00) Call to action (00:37:00) Establishing AI policies in educational settings (00:42:10) Empowering students with AI tools (00:46:40) Understanding student perspectives on AI (00:53:07) Addressing concerns about AI and cheating (01:01:05) The future of AI in occupational therapy Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers) If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ (https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/)

Who has been a guest on Pediatric Pioneers: A MedBridge Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Sharon Eva
• Dr Thomas Morgenthaler
• Melissa (Missy) Schaeffer

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

8,837,878

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

15

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

0