Mainebiz interviews OT alum Heather Shields on her services for older drivers

Mainebiz on Oct. 14th interviewed ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ occupational therapy alum Heather Shields '97 who is offering pre-driving assessments, on-the-road driving evaluations and follow-up personalized driving rehabilitation programs to drivers whose ability to operate a motor vehicle safely might be impaired due to a medical condition such as a stroke or as a result of the natural aging process.

"I came up with the name Pathways Rehabilitation Services,” Shields said, β€œbecause people can choose their own path through independent driving and community mobility. Besides being a certified occupational therapist, I'm also a certified Class B driving instructor. I saw a huge need in this area, because there are only a few people doing this service in the state and there's nobody else who's bringing the service to the client. And that's what really sets me apart: I can do these driving assessments and trainings right at people's homes and in their communities."

About the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.