Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy (OT) incorporates meaningful and purposeful movements to enable people with limitations or impairments to participate in everyday life. Occupational Therapists work with individuals to facilitate health and well-being through engagement or re-engagement in activities of daily living.

If you would like more information, please contact the JCH Occupational Therapy department:

Phone: (402) 335-6400
Fax: (402) 335-6361

Kelsi is a native of Tecumseh and currently resides in rural Nemaha County with her husband and daughters.   Kelsi graduated from Johnson County Central in 2009 and in 2015 from the College of St. Mary in Omaha with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Since graduation she has worked in rural health setting and enjoys being able to spread education about how Occupational Therapy can help individuals across the lifespan. She began her career with JCH in December 2019 and was very thrilled to be able to serve the community she grew up in.

As an Occupational Therapist, Kelsi assists her patients with activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, etc.), build their fine motor skills and strength, help with adaptive equipment/home modifications recommendations, help individuals following illness/injury, and taking a holistic approach to therapy. She not only sees patients at JCH, but goes out to JCC and Sterling schools to work with students. There she works with students focusing on handwriting, fine motor and sensory skills and behavioral aspects. Kelsi also does early intervention work with Educational Service Unit 4 to help children before they get into school. She loves the variety of work that comes with a rural health setting and the ability to get to know her patients and watch them succeed. 

She is a member of American Occupational Therapy Association, Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association, certified in LSVT BIG, and PAMCA Certified. Kelsi is thankful that JCH provides the opportunity to stay up to date with evidence based practice and encourage continuing education courses.

Jenna was born and raised in Sterling, NE and graduated in 2013 from Sterling High School. She continued her education at Doane University majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology as well as her athletic career as a Doane Women’s Basketball player and a team captain her final year. Once graduating from Doane, she continued her journey of education at Creighton University where she earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy graduating in 2020 as a registered, doctoral occupational therapist (Jenna Pelchat, OTR/L, OTD). During her time in school, she received certification in LSVT BIG – a treatment option for Parkinson’s patients. Her first job as an occupational therapist was at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital specialized in the Spinal Cord Injury unit. Knowing she wanted to work in the rural community, she accepted her second occupational therapy job as a contract therapist for Inspire Rehab working at CHI St. Mary’s (Nebraska City), Nemaha County Hospital (Auburn), and Community Hospital Fairfax (Fairfax, MO). During her first two careers she realized her love for manual therapy and received certification in Myofascial Release. Jenna has significant passion for continued life-long learning and would like to pursue further certifications in Lymphedema and Pelvic Floor Therapy. Jenna’s treatment approach is holistic addressing the “whole” person and goal-oriented including the patient and family to set goals and work as a team in order for the patient to gain further independence and satisfaction to participate in daily activities and meaningful tasks. Outside of occupational therapy, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family and friends and participating in or attending sports activities. 

Brooke is an occupational therapist at JCH. She graduated from College of Saint Mary with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2016. 

I grew up in Auburn, Nebraska and I graduated from Auburn High School. I went to Peru State College and received a Bachelors in Science with a Biochemistry degree. I worked for a few years and hated what I was doing. My husband encouraged me to go back to school and I fell in love with the thought of being an occupational therapist. 

Since graduating from College of Saint Mary, I have been working in rural health. I love rural health because you see a wide variety of diagnoses and I get to know the patient on a personal level. I enjoy working with hand injuries. I am certified in lymphedema, I have a special interest in women’s health, and LSVT Big certified.