Margaret Shepherd

Margaret, a New Orleans metro area native, is currently a second-year Master of Occupational Therapy student here at LSUHSC – New Orleans. Also, at LSUHSC New Orleans, Margaret serves as the Student Occupational Therapy Association’s (SOTA) Professional Development Chair, through which she seeks out community OTs to present to members on specialty practice areas and unique OT skillsets, and a member of the Team Up Student Committee. She received her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Minor in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2020. In her time spent outside of school, Margaret enjoys sharing her love for dancing through teaching children’s tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop classes, exercising, cooking, and spending time with her family, friends, and her cat, Pigeon.

Margaret’s interest in becoming a Louisiana LEND Scholar stems from her drive to foster and advocate for a Louisiana community, country, and world where individuals with disabilities and their families are valued and provided with the resources and education that are necessary to help them live their fullest, most joyful lives. As a future occupational therapist, she hopes to use the knowledge, resources, connections, leadership and advocacy skills, and policy awareness gained within LEND to become the most competent, resourceful clinician and community member she can be. Margaret is grateful for this opportunity to grow on a variety of fronts and intends to use her experiences from LEND to support her along her journey of becoming a strong, well-versed occupational therapist.