EHS alum Christine Skujins builds telehealth therapy business empowering kids through technology
EHS alum Christine Skujins builds telehealth therapy business empowering kids through technology
For nearly two decades, Christine (Vehoski) Skujins has devoted her career to helping children strengthen the skills they need to thrive in school and everyday life. A 2004 Miami University graduate in exercise science, Skujins now serves as a pediatric occupational therapist with the Montgomery County Educational Service Center in Ohio, where she supports students with fine motor development, sensory regulation, and daily living skills.
Her work focuses on helping children, many with autism or trauma-related challenges, find ways to calm, focus, and participate fully in the classroom. “A lot of kids have a hard time calming down due to diagnoses or trauma,” she explained. “I work with them on strategies to focus or calm their bodies for school.”
After years in the school system, Skujins wanted to explore how technology could extend the reach of her therapy services. That inspiration led her to launch Telethrive OT, a telehealth practice that brings occupational therapy into homes through virtual sessions and innovative tools. The practice uses Korro AI, a program that helps children complete exercises while tracking range of motion and other metrics.
“It's been fun using the creative side of my brain to build something that I think has the potential to help a lot of kids from the comfort of their own home,” she said. Through Telethrive OT, she also provides consultations for parents and daycares and collaborates with Just In Time Adapted Wellness, a Cincinnati-based network that connects families of children with disabilities to community resources.
Launching her business has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. “It’s been a year of learning, growing, frustration, and fulfillment knowing that things are getting off the ground,” Skujins said. “I’m still overcoming, but I think that’s ongoing as a business owner.”
Skujins traces her ability to think creatively and critically back to her time at Miami’s College of Education, Health, and Society. “Critical thinking skills that are not easily taught were really emphasized at Miami,” she said. “The labs and variety of coursework really prepared me for graduate school.” She also credits her Miami experience, including study abroad, with broadening her perspective and helping her see how her skills could serve children and families in many different contexts.
Her advice for current students and aspiring entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to fail. If you believe in something or an idea, put it out there and see what happens. The worst thing you can do is sit on it and never see your idea materialize into something that could be really great.”
Skujins’ story is featured in EHS Innovates: Founders and Builders, a spotlight series from Miami University’s College of Education, Health, and Society. This new series highlights alumni who are building ventures with purpose across education, health, and society.
EHS Innovates
Innovation thrives at the intersection of passion and purpose. EHS Innovates brings together students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners to explore how entrepreneurial thinking can drive meaningful change in education, health, and society. Through workshops, mentorship, and real-world challenges, we create opportunities to develop solutions that address pressing issues in our fields. Whether you're launching a venture, looking to collaborate, or simply curious about how innovation shapes your discipline, EHS Innovates is your gateway to making an impact.
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(AI tools Grammarly and ChatGPT 4.0 assisted with this article.)
