Nashville organization provides hands-on experience for future occupational therapists while serving local Parkinson's community
In Nashville, where approximately 7,000 people live with Parkinson's disease, one organization is making a difference while helping to shape the next generation of occupational therapists.
Bridges for Parkinson's, founded by personal trainer Colleen Bridges, has become an integral partner of Belmont University's Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, offering students hands-on experience while serving the local Parkinson's community.
The partnership, which began in 2018, has evolved into a comprehensive capstone program that gives students real-world experience working with individuals with Parkinson's disease — whom Bridges refers to as “fighters”.
"It's kind of like Disneyland for an occupational therapist," Bridges said. "There are so many things they can do, and so many ways to help the fighters."
Students participate in a 12-week program that combines clinical experience, specialized education and project-based learning. Before beginning their capstone, students meet with Bridges and her team approximately 18 months in advance to develop their projects and establish learning objectives.
"I want their tool belt to be well-stocked, not just with the necessary clinical information, but also with a broader set of tools that enhance their capacity to treat each of their patients effectively," said Bridges.
The success of this program is exemplified by students like Dr. Caitlin Bender, a 2023 graduate
of Belmont’s OTD program who is now a full-time occupational therapy coach at Bridges for Parkinson's. Under Bridges' mentorship, Bender has flourished — taking on leadership roles, including developing curriculum, creating specialized programs and mentoring current capstone students.
"Caitlin is creating a new path for OTs," Bridges said. "She’s become a real superstar in the field, embodying the type of leadership and initiative we strive to cultivate."
The impact extends beyond clinical experience. Every six seconds, someone receives a Parkinson's diagnosis, underscoring the growing need for specialized care providers. Bridges for Parkinson's helps meet this need through both direct services and professional development, while ensuring care remains accessible through their scholarship program, which provided approximately $70,000 in assistance last year.
The organization's approach combines exercise, boxing and even music therapy – fitting for Music City. Their program has garnered attention from health care providers and institutions, with students and professionals regularly visiting to observe their innovative methods.
“People often have a textbook understanding of Parkinson's," Bridges said. "But it's in the gym where they see what living with Parkinson's truly means. Our clients may have Parkinson's, but they fight back hard, embodying our belief that Parkinson's does not define them."
The partnership continues to grow, with Bridges welcoming four capstone students this semester alone. Many students maintain connections with the organization after completing their capstone, either staying on as paid coaches while preparing for their licensing exams or returning as volunteers years later.
Looking ahead, Bridges hopes to further integrate her program's curriculum into Belmont's OT and physical therapy programs, potentially bringing their "fighters" to campus to help educate first-year students about living with Parkinson's disease.
Through this collaboration, Belmont and Bridges for Parkinson's are not just preparing future health care providers — they're helping build a more comprehensive support system for individuals living with Parkinson's disease in Middle Tennessee and beyond.