Otr/L Tessa Shields

Tessa Shields, OTR/L, is an experienced occupational therapist currently working at Ringgold County Hospital since June 2023. Tessa completed a doctoral capstone at Clarinda Regional Health Center, focusing on occupational therapy's role in diabetes education and management. Previous fieldwork includes outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation at Mercy and residential care at Odom Health & Wellness, along with several short experiences in varied settings, including pediatrics, inpatient acute care, and rural healthcare. Tessa began a career in healthcare as a health information assistant at Ringgold County Hospital and has a background in therapeutic recreation, having earned a Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Drake University and a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from Northwest Missouri State University.