Jennifer Dochod is an independent occupational therapist and artist. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from GVSU. Occupational therapy allowed her to combine her passions: helping others manage and cope with health conditions and using art as a therapeutic medium. 

She has authored articles in peer-reviewed healthcare journals and has presented on Coping with Pain through Art, Health Benefits of Arts and Crafts, and Art as a Mindfulness Activity. Each year Jennifer comes back to the Occupational Science graduate program at GVSU to facilitate an experiential learning module where students explore the intersection of occupational therapy, mindfulness, and art to address patient goals, increase coping skills, and assist patients in developing skills to respond intentionally to symptoms. 

For nearly 2 decades, Jennifer has volunteered at Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids teaching arts and crafts to those on a cancer or grief journey. She is also on a non-profit board, Awareness for POTSies, where she helps develop website content to assist individuals with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome thrive. As an artist, she has been in regional competitions such as Festival and ArtPrize and particularly enjoys watercolors and creating with polymer clay.

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