A Family Affair: How Occupational Therapy Became a Generational Passion at WashU OT
by Abby King • December 30, 2025
Occupational therapy (OT) has long been a cornerstone of healthcare, helping individuals achieve their highest potential through meaningful activities. At WashU OT, the Perlmutter family embodies this mission in the most personal and profound way. Monica Perlmutter and her two daughters, Lauren (Perlmutter) Mione and Anna Perlmutter, have each charted their paths in OT, creating a remarkable family legacy that combines creativity, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to their patients.
Monica’s career in OT set a foundation of excellence and compassion. As an accomplished clinician and educator at WashU OT for 42 years, she balanced her demanding career with raising a family, integrating her professional passion into the fabric of her home life. From early on, she nurtured her daughters’ understanding of OT, though always letting them discover their paths organically. “I was a seed planter but never a pusher.” Monica reflects. “It’s not in my nature to talk about my work life at home. When I was with my kids, I focused on them, but I was always very devoted to my work as well.”
Her older daughter Lauren’s journey began with a strong interest in medicine. As an undergraduate student at WashU, she pursued a pre-med track, even applying to medical schools and taking the MCAT. However, during her shadowing experiences, Lauren realized she desired deeper connections with patients, something she found lacking in the fast-paced environment of traditional medical practice. Inspired by her mother’s work, she turned to OT, combining her love for anatomy and physiology with a more hands-on approach to patient care. "I decided not to be an MD because I wanted to spend more time with patients and help them live their lives," Lauren shares.
Lauren earned her master’s degree from Tufts University in 2015, drawn to a small cohort and the chance to spread her wings outside of St. Louis. "I always knew I would come back to St. Louis," she says, "but I kind of grew up being in my mom’s office and I thought I should go out and have my own journey for a little bit." After completing her fieldwork and working at the Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Boston, she landed a job at Shriners Children’s Hospital in St. Louis in 2017, where she developed a passion for orthopedics and hand therapy. Lauren joined WashU OT’s Milliken Hand Center in 2020 and received her CHT certification in 2022. She especially loves the opportunity to work with kids who have congenital hand differences as well as helping patients with sports and trauma related injuries return to valued activities.
Anna’s path, though distinct from Lauren’s, was similarly influenced by her mother’s example. She attended Emory University, seeking to carve out her own identity away from her family’s professional shadow. With majors in psychology and environmental science, Anna also initially considered medical school but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. Instead, her summer work at Variety St. Louis Adventure Camp for children with disabilities revealed a natural affinity for OT, a realization that was solidified through hands-on experiences and observations arranged by Monica. "My mom set me up to observe several occupational therapists that she worked with," Anna recalls. Working with them contributed greatly to her desire to pursue OT.
Anna also pursued her OT degree at Tufts, appreciating the proximity to her sister in Boston. After graduating in 2016, Anna’s first job was working with children at Perkins School for the Blind in the Boston area. “The kids there have visual impairments but they are complex.” Anna explains, “The children also had cerebral palsy, Autism or muscular dystrophy and some were undergoing cancer treatments. It was a good place to start my career, and that’s what sparked my interest in low vision.” The COVID-19 pandemic and a longing for home drew her back to St. Louis in 2021 where initially she saw general patients of all ages and children with vision loss at WashU OT. Anna wanted to expand her expertise and began seeing adults and older adults with vision impairment as well. The timing was right for her to take over her mom’s caseload when Monica retired in 2024. Anna now specializes in addressing the impact of vision impairments for pediatric and adult populations for the Program in OT’s clinical practice, with Monica as her formal mentor. She recently completed her Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Anna also enjoys serving her adult clients with ADHD.
Monica’s position as an educator and mentor has been instrumental in shaping the careers of her daughters along with countless other OTs. “Having her as my mentor and learning from her—it’s the best,” says Anna who once thought it would be strange to have her mom as an OT instructor, but now that it’s reality she says “it’s actually incredible”. Lauren’s expertise in hand therapy and Anna’s focus on vision therapy illustrate the multifaceted nature of OT, demonstrating how diverse specializations can converge to offer comprehensive patient care.
In working together, the Perlmutters have found that their professional and personal relationships enrich their work. Monica’s gentle guidance and the organic development of Lauren and Anna’s careers underscore the importance of following one’s passions while being open to unexpected opportunities. They frequently collaborate, leveraging each other’s knowledge and experience to provide holistic and innovative care. Growing up in a home where creative problem-solving was encouraged naturally led to Lauren and Anna’s seamless integration into OT. "I always tell my patients I will bring the creativity when we are solving their challenges.” Anna remarks. “Daily opportunities to use creative problem solving to help my clients is very rewarding.”
The story of Monica Perlmutter and her daughters, Lauren and Anna, is more than a testament to the versatility and impact of OT. It is a celebration of how professional passion can nurture personal growth and family bonds. Their collective journey underlines the significance of creativity, dedication, and a supportive environment to build a fulfilling career. As they continue to contribute to the evolving field of OT, the Perlmutters exemplify the profound difference that a family’s shared passion can make within our WashU OT community and in their clients’ lives.