Serving Those Who Served: Dr. Emmalee McElveen’s Fellowship Journey at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Erika Eustaquio, OTD, OTR/L
Finding the Path to OT
For Dr. Emmalee McElveen, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapy (OT) has always been about people and their stories. A Cincinnati native, she started her journey at Eastern Kentucky University, where she earned her bachelor’s in occupational science. From there, she headed north to Columbus and earned her OTD from The Ohio State University in 2024. It was during her time at OSU that she first saw the impact of fellowships on the OT profession.
“OSU had OT Fellows embedded into some of our courses,” she shared. “Seeing their role in our education really opened my eyes to the possibilities a fellowship could offer after graduation.”
Discovering a Passion for Gerontology
Dr. McElveen’s passion for gerontology wasn’t sparked in a classroom, but through a relationship. While in Columbus, she worked as a companion for an elderly woman with dementia, a role that gave her more than just experience.
“I grew passionate about aging in place and dementia care,” she explained. “That relationship changed my perspective and confirmed that I wanted to dedicate my career to supporting older adults in meaningful ways.”
But there was another calling that had been pulling at her heart since undergrad: serving veterans.
After completing a Veteran’s studies course at EKU, she never forgot the sense of duty she felt toward that population. So, when she discovered the Gerontology Fellowship at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, it felt like everything came full circle.
“It was the perfect way to combine both of my passions,” she said. “And as a Cincinnati native, it was extra special to do it here at home.”
About the Fellowship Opportunities at the VA
The Cincinnati VA Medical Center offers two unique fellowship tracks:
- Gerontology Fellowship: Designed to prepare OTs to help older adults thrive in their daily lives through chronic disease management, neurological conditions, geropsychology, aging in place, and health promotion. Graduates also complete the fellowship on an accelerated track toward AOTA’s Advanced Board Certification in Gerontology.
- Assistive Technology Fellowship: Focused on advanced training in adaptive technology, from powered mobility and pressure mapping to adaptive driving and high- and low-tech solutions. Graduates are eligible to sit for the ATP exam. Both programs place a strong emphasis on scholarly practice, professional development, and addressing the unique health concerns of veterans.
Clinical Rotations and Growth
The fellowship year was packed with diverse experiences. Dr. McElveen rotated through acute care, skilled nursing, outpatient clinics (including neurology, orthopedics, and driving evaluations), home-based primary care, and the interdisciplinary geriatric clinic. She also earned additional credentials, including PWR! Moves training, CarFit Technician certification, AOTA fieldwork educator certification, and a weeklong evidence-based practice course. Each experience layered new skills onto her foundation, building confidence and versatility.
The Honor of Serving Veterans
The highlight of the fellowship wasn’t a certification or rotation, it was the people she served.
“Serving the Veteran population is truly an honor,” she said.
“Each Veteran is unique, and their medical and service histories shape how we approach care. I’ve even had the privilege of working with Veterans from WWII, which was such a humbling experience.”
Her perspective as an OT is deeply shaped by the sacrifices her patients have made. She approaches each day with gratitude and a commitment to compassionate, individualized care.
The Role of Mentorship
Mentorship was another defining aspect of the fellowship. Working with different mentors across rotations gave Dr. McElveen the freedom to make clinical decisions while providing a safety net of guidance.
“They gave me the freedom to grow into my own practice,” she reflected. “But I always knew I had support when I needed it.”
This balance helped her strengthen her clinical reasoning, professionalism, and communication skills.
Advice for Students and New Grads
Dr. McElveen encourages OT students and new graduates to seriously consider a fellowship.
“It’s the perfect bridge between being a student and becoming a practitioner. You get just the right amount of mentorship while building your own clinical reasoning and patient care skills.”
Looking Ahead
As her fellowship comes to a close, Dr. McElveen reflects with gratitude on the growth she’s achieved and the opportunities she’s embraced. Her journey isn’t ending at the VA; she has accepted a permanent position in the Community Living Center, where she will serve Veterans in skilled nursing and long-term care.
For Dr. McElveen, it truly feels like the fulfillment of a dream–combining her passion for gerontology with her calling to serve those who served.
Thank you, Dr. McElveen, for sharing your unique and inspiring fellowship experience and for everything you do for those who served!
This article was published as part of OOTA Newsletter, issue 3, October 7, 2025.
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