Michelle Westengaard, OTR/L, BCP, PCSP

Michelle "Chelli" Westengaard, OTR/L, BCP, PCSP, is an Occupational Therapist and the Director of the Occupational Therapy Department at UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Languages Spoken: English

402-559-6580

Professional Bio

Michelle Westengaard is the Director of the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute, a role she assumed in August 2022. She brings over 25 years of experience in pediatric occupational therapy and holds board certifications in both pediatrics and school-based practice. Her areas of clinical expertise include binocular and cortical visual impairments, sensory processing challenges, feeding and swallowing disorders, and autism spectrum disorders.

Throughout her career, Westengaard has practiced in a wide range of settings, including outpatient and inpatient facilities, neonatal intensive care units, multidisciplinary clinics, and school systems. She has also had the opportunity to serve as Developmental Care Specialist in the NICU. Westengaard is currently the AOTA Fellowship Coordinator and serves on the AOTA Fellowship Review Roster. She is a frequent invited speaker, having presented at conferences, webinars, academic institutions, and parent groups at both local and national levels.

Westengaard provides patient care services in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Clinic Location: Munroe-Meyer Institute

BS: College of Saint Mary, Magna Cum Laude, 2000.
BS: University of Nebraska at Kearney, 1998.

Specialty Certifications

American Occupational Therapy Association Board Certification in Pediatrics.
Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Cortical Visual Impairment Endorsement.
National Association of Neonatal Nurses, Developmental Care Designation.
National Board Certification, Occupational Therapy.
Neonatal Touch and Massage Certification.
Professional Certification in School Based Practice.
Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Certified.
Visual Rehabilitation Certification.

Focus Areas

Binocular and cortical visual impairment.
Developmental care.
Feeding and swallowing.

Research

Poster Presentation: Neuroprotective Care in a Level IV NICU With the Critically Ill and Surgical Neonate State of the Art Nursing Conference Omaha, NE and Advanced Practice Nurses’ Conference, Academy of Neonatal Nurses.

Close up of hands using cell phone; Credit John Mark Smith, Pexels.

Make an Appointment

Most appointments are scheduled through MMI's Patient Information Office.