Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduate Olivia Rotelle hoping to raise $7,500 for Sanders IMPACT Practice Center

For Olivia Rotelle, OTD ’22, running the Boston Marathon isn't just another race—it's a personal milestone, a return home, and a heartfelt thank-you to the institution that shaped her career. On Marathon Monday, Rotelle will finally shift from spectator to participant, crossing the iconic finish line on Boylston Street as part of the MGH Institute of Health Professions' Team IHP.  

“I spent five wonderful years living in Boston, witnessing how the marathon unites this city in such a special way,” said Rotelle, now an occupational therapist at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago. Having previously completed the Chicago, New York, and Berlin Marathons, Rotelle adds, “Boston is the crown jewel, the one I've always dreamed of adding to the top of my list.”  

This year, Rotelle is running with a clear purpose—to support the Charles A. and Ann Sanders IMPACT Practice Center at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. The Center played a pivotal role in her education and professional preparation, offering hands-on, interdisciplinary training that has been instrumental in her early success as an occupational therapist.  

“The experiences at the Center taught me how to work collaboratively, problem-solve with other healthcare professionals, and provide exceptional care,” Rotelle recalled. She’s raising funds so that future IHP students can continue benefiting from the same invaluable experiences.  

Rotelle joins fellow Team IHP member Abdulrahman Sabbagh, HPEd ’20, in a shared goal to raise a minimum of $7,500 each. Since 2011, Team IHP has raised over $180,000 to benefit scholarships, clinical care centers, and educational initiatives at the Institute, demonstrating the profound community impact driven by dedicated individuals like Rotelle.  

As Marathon Monday approaches, Olivia Rotelle looks forward not only to achieving a personal milestone but also to giving back to the community that provided the foundation for her dream career.  

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