faculty portrait if available
Jessica Dolecheck
Professor
School of Allied Health
ULIB 219
318-342-5583
ULM logo

Jessica Dolecheck, PhD
Professor, Health Studies
Health Studies Program Director

Education

Ph D

2005, Occupational Therapy
Nova Southeastern University

MA

1996, Occupational Therapy
Texas Woman's University

BS

1990, Occupational Therapy
Louisiana State University Medical Center

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Jessica Dolecheck is a Professor and the Program Director for the Health Studies Program. She is a 28-year veteran educator at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) with vast experiences and expertise. She earned her MA in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University and her Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. 

She has extensive experience in higher education including program and academic administration, teaching undergraduate/graduate courses, program development, chairing doctoral dissertations, and various scholarship and service activities at ULM. Dr. Dolecheck held the Mayme and Tom Scott Teaching Excellence Professorship at ULM from 2015 – 2018. She was nominated for the Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching at ULM Fall 2019 and was chosen to present at the UL For Our Future State Conference on 21st Century Skills - Education Beyond Academic Knowledge in 2020.

Prior to joining ULM, Dr. Dolecheck practiced as an occupational therapist and an OT Outpatient Director over 15 years providing services to various populations in settings such as early intervention, adult work hardening, long-term rehabilitation, home health, outpatient rehabilitation and nursing homes.

Her passion for helping others through meaningful therapy experiences paved the way for her student-centered approach to teaching and learning with her college students – it was never about just extending knowledge, but about helping students develop into their full potential.

As the program director for Health Studies, she was instrumental in designing and implementing four innovative Bachelor of Science degrees in Health Studies – an on-campus and online healthcare management/marketing degree track, a pre-professional degree  track and the Graduate Certificate in Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare program. Her research interests include 21st century skills, work force preparation, appreciative advising, faculty & student mentoring, student/faculty centric pedagogy and evidence-based practice. She is Quality Matters Certified and has evaluated more than 250 courses in meeting standards of best online teaching. Dr. Dolecheck has published and made numerous national and regional professional presentations on preparing the workforce for the 21st century.

In 2019 and 2020, Dr. Dolecheck was selected by the UL system and Pole University as a Visiting Lecture for two, 6-hour workshops on Career 21: Essential Skills for Success at the International Week Leonard De Vinci Pole University, Paris, France.  

In her current role as program director and professor in the Health Studies Program, she leads the program and faculty, advises undergraduate and graduate students and teaches courses in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Health Studies as well as the Graduate Certificate in Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare. She has developed a passion for course & curriculum design, best online teaching practices and career-connected education.

She is currently leads and directs the annual Spring College of Health Sciences Professional Luncheon /Awards and Skills Camp for 8 Health Science programs averaging around 300 in attendance. The Luncheon has become a highlight event for the college, students and our community leaders.  

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three adult children on the lake. For the past 6 years, she has become quite passionate with advanced cross fit training. She enjoys watching SEC sports (baseball and football) with friends and family over boiled crawfish, good food ,and cold beer. Lately, finding and shopping in unique vintage shops to experience the nostalgia, stories or just the hope to find a valuable treasure has become a truly relaxing pastime.

Licensure & Certification

Certified Quality Matters Expert Content Reviewer, Quality Matters Higher Education. (November 3 2010 - Present)
Certified Quality Matters Reviewer, Quality Matters Higher Education. (November 2010 - Present)
NDTA Certified, Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association. (June 14 1993 - Present)
Licensed Occupational Therapist in Louisiana (Retired), Louisiana Occupational Therapy Association. (August 1990 - 2006)

Research Interests

Student and faculty centric practice, Appreciative Advising; Career-Connected Learning/Education; Health Professions Program Development, 21st century skills, work force preparation, & soft skills development in students.

Recent Publications

Griswold, P., Dolecheck, J. (2020). Career Readiness in the 21st Century. McLean, VA: American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Roberts, J., Wohleber, M., Dolecheck, J. Development of an Assessment Tool for Athletic Training Students' Perceptions of Mentorship in Evidence-Based Practice. Athletic Training Education Journal.
Dolecheck, J., Griswold, P. (2019). Realize the Value in Soft Skills in Healthcare: Featured Article/Cover. Healthcare Business Monthly.
Roberts, J., Dolecheck, J. (2019). Mentorship and Evidence-based Practice with Athletic Trainer Preceptors: An Overview. ULM Monroe Louisiana: Online Journal of Interprofessional Health Promotion.
Boudreaux, J., Dolecheck, J. (2020). Assessment of High School Coaches’ Knowledge Retention of Sport-Related Concussions. Journal of Research Issues in Contemporary Education..
Boudreaux, J., Dolecheck, J. (2019). The Effect of an Online Education Program on Knowledge Retention for High School Football Coaches. ULM Monroe Louisiana: Online Journal of Interprofessional Health Promotion.
Boudreaux, J., Dolecheck, J. D. (2019). Concussion Education Programs for High School Football Coaches. An Overview. Journal of Public Health Issues and Practices; doi: http://dx.doi.org/jphip/2019/136..
Dolecheck, J. (2018). ULM Faculty Presents at the Assessment Institute. Monroe: The Ouachita Citizen Newspaper.
Dolecheck, J. (2018). Soft Skills for Workplace Success. Indianapolis: Assessment Institute in Indianapolis Resource Manual.
HIll, K., Theodos, K., Dolecheck (contributing author), J. (2018). Implementation of an Electronic Portfolio at the University Level with a Unique Interdisciplinary Approach. AOTA Conference Proceedings.
Dolecheck, J., Griswold, P. (2014). Advising Strategies Employed in an Undergraduate Online Health Studies Program. Minnesota: Annual Conference on Distant Teaching and Learning Confernece.
Dolecheck, J. (1999). The Preacher Story in LOTA Newsletter. Baton Rouge:
Dolecheck, J. The Importance of Playful Interactions with Mothers and Their Children - newstar. Monroe:
Dolecheck, J. Self-Care, What to Expect with your Toddler in News-Star. Monroe:
Dolecheck, J. (2011). Challenges of Developing Three Health Studies Online Accelerated Courses. Madison, Wisconsiin: Annual Confernece Distant Teaching & Learning.
Dolecheck, J. (1997). A Clinical Experience Based on the OA Model- in chapter 19 of Occupational Therapy: Enabling Function and Well- Being.
Dolecheck, J. (1998). Occupational Adaptation - A conceptual Model - chapter 7.
Dolecheck, J. (1999). The Extent Dynamic Standing Endurance is Affected when CVA subjects perform meaningful activties rather than nonmeaningful (pp. 40 -54). Occupational Therapy Journal of Research - refereed journal.
Tommerdahl, A. R., Griswold, P. L., Dolecheck, J. (2011). Challenges of developing three health studies online accelerated courses. Madison, Wisconsin: 27th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning Conference Proceedings & Resources.

Research Grants

Dolecheck, J. (Co-Principal), "Screening for Life" (Funded), Sponsored By Blue Cross Blue Shield, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $97,000 for 3 years. (January 2019 - 2022).
Dolecheck, J. (Principal), "Cultivating Interpersonal Soft Skills: An Innovative Professional Business Luncheon for Health Science Students" (Funded), Sponsored By Academic Innovation Center, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $3,010.00. (January 16 2018 - May 31 2018).
Dolecheck, J. (Principal), Griswold, P. (Co-Principal), "A Marketing Plan for Health Science Online Undergraduate and Graduate Programs at ULM" (Not Funded), Sponsored By Board of Regents, External to The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $20,000. (2015).
Dolecheck, J. (Principal), "Enhancing the Health Studies Curricula through Electronic Health Record" (), Sponsored By ULM STAP, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $26,000 - this was partially funded. (2014 - 2015).

Awards & Honors

May 2019 Certificate of Recognition - ULM Mentorship Program.

February 2019 2019 Nomination for the Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching at ULM.

August 2016 Service Recognition Award for 20 years of Service to ULM.

January 2016 Certificate of Recognition - Administrative Fellow for the Office of Academic Affairs .

July 2015 - 2018 2015 -2018 Recipient of the Mayme and Tom Scott Endowed Professorship in Teaching Excellence.

November 2014 2015 National Best Value Online Degree - Health Studies Marketing/Managment by OnlineU.

September 2013 ULM Hawkeye Major Spotlight: Health Studies Gives Students Options.

August 2009 Teacher of the Week - KED Radio.

July 2009 MyULM: Faculty Recognition.

2007 Dolecheck -Featured in The News Star, ULM Preparing to Offer Health Studies Degree Courses.

2007 Dolecheck - Featured in The Magazine of the University of Lousiana at Monroe, A New Program in Health Studies Helps Students fill a Growing Need.

May 1997 Most Organized Teacher - Occupational Therapy Class of 1997.

December 1996 Generator Award - Occupational Therapy Associate Student Association.

November 1996 Ace Award - Total commitment and Continuing Excellence to the Quality Supervision of Mid-South OTAs.

November 1996 Certificate of Appreciation for Giving Quality Care - MidSouth Rehab.

November 1996 "Attitude: I Can Make A Difference" Recognition Award by Mid-South Rehab.

May 1996 Most Outstanding Teacher -Occupational Therapy Class 1995.

Courses Taught

AHSC 2000MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY, 36 course(s)

FRYS 1001Freshman Year Seminar, 1 course(s)

HLST 2001HEALTHCARE ISSUES, 11 course(s)

HLST 2002HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, 2 course(s)

HLST 3001HEALTHCARE ETHICS, 1 course(s)

HLST 3003HEALTH SCIENCE PRACTICUM I, 24 course(s)

HLST 3004RESEARCH DESIGN: HEALTHCARE, 48 course(s)

HLST 3005PROF IN HEALTHCARE, 10 course(s)

HLST 4001CULTURAL DIVERSITY: HEALTHCARE, 12 course(s)

HLST 4003Hlth Sci Pract II, 1 course(s)

HLST 4005PRINC LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE, 10 course(s)

HLST 4006HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION, 26 course(s)

HLST 4008MOTOR DEVELOPMENT, 1 course(s)

HLST 4009CULTURAL DIVERSITY, 9 course(s)

HLST 5000INTPRF LDR HLTCR, 3 course(s)

HLST 5004EVIDENCE BASED PRACT IN HC, 4 course(s)

HPRE 5002EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE HP, 5 course(s)

HPRE 5006PRINCIPLES HEALTH PROF ED, 2 course(s)