Milligan University to Host Lecture on Occupational Therapy and Motherhood

Public invited to learn how OT can support mothers through physical, emotional, and social changes.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Milligan University is hosting a public lecture on the role of occupational therapy in supporting mothers. The lecture will be presented by Dr. Ashleigh Lingerfelt, area chair and program director of occupational therapy, as part of the university's Faculty Lecture Series.

Why it matters

Occupational therapy is an emerging practice area for supporting mothers through the complex physical, emotional, cognitive, and social demands of parenthood. This lecture will provide insights into how OTs can improve maternal well-being, family functioning, and quality of life.

The details

Dr. Lingerfelt's lecture, titled "Exploring the Role of Occupational Therapy in Motherhood", will cover how occupational therapists can address changes in roles, routines, identity, mental health, pelvic floor and physical health, as well as functional participation in daily life for new mothers. Lingerfelt recently completed research on this topic with a team of OT students and will present a poster at the American Occupational Therapy Association's National Inspire Conference in April.

  • The lecture will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2026.
  • Lingerfelt will present a poster on occupational therapy in motherhood at the American Occupational Therapy Association's National Inspire Conference in Anaheim, California in April 2026.

The players

Dr. Ashleigh Lingerfelt

Area chair and program director of occupational therapy at Milligan University, where she teaches courses on splinting, OT with children and youth, and OT in women's health. She was recognized as a 2024 Healthcare Hero by the Business Journal of the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia.

Milligan University

A private Christian university located in Tennessee that offers an occupational therapy program. The university's Faculty Lecture Series provides students and the community insights into academic research and writing.

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What they’re saying

“Occupational therapy in motherhood is an emerging practice area that recognizes this phase of life as complex and is shaped by physical, emotional, cognitive and social demands.”

— Dr. Ashleigh Lingerfelt, Area Chair and Program Director of Occupational Therapy (Milligan University)

What’s next

Lingerfelt will present a poster on occupational therapy in motherhood at the American Occupational Therapy Association's National Inspire Conference in Anaheim, California in April 2026.

The takeaway

This lecture highlights how occupational therapy can play a vital role in supporting mothers through the physical, emotional, and social changes of parenthood, ultimately improving maternal well-being, family functioning, and quality of life.