Westengaard is new MMI occupational therapy director

Michelle "Chelli" Westengaard has joined the Munroe-Meyer Institute as its new occupational therapy director.

Westengaard comes to MMI with experience at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and in pediatric therapy clinics in both Hastings and Gretna. Most recently, she was director of a pediatric and adult outpatient clinic in Gretna.

Westengaard said she enjoys working in pediatrics, where she’s tasked with working on children’s current "occupation" for their stage in life. Those are activities that enable children to learn and develop life skills, such as playing, independence in self-help skills, eating, handwriting or getting dressed.

She said she enjoys seeing the potential that children have. As they progress with their goals, "you get to join the family in the excitement for all the gains that occur," Westengaard said.

"I love working with the pediatric population because they have an unpaved road in front of them," she said, "and I get to be along with them on their journey."

In her career, Westengaard has worked with patients ranging from infants in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital to adults with disabilities. She has developed a few niches within her therapy skills, including developmental care, feeding and swallowing and the area of vision.

During her time living and working in the Omaha area, Westengaard has become familiar with the Munroe-Meyer Institute, which she said always has represented a high bar in the occupational therapy field.

"It always appeared to be an amazing place to work, to be a part of that team," Westengaard said.

Now as a part of MMI, Westengaard said she’s looking forward to growing the outpatient opportunities and collaborating with the different departments in the institute.

As for her name, Westengaard goes by "Chelli" — a name choice and spelling from her third grade teacher that stuck.