The future of occupational therapy is in good hands, as exemplified by the MGH Institute’s new inductees into the Pi Theta Epsilon National Occupational Therapy Honor Society.

Eleven students in the Class of 2026’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program were inducted into the school’s Epsilon Zeta chapter during a February 26 ceremony. Karina Absalon, Tama Coelin, Emily Cudhea-Pierce, Victoria Denovellis, Michaella Israel, Leah Kornguth, Aislinn Lalikos, Emily Lolli, Erin MacDevette, Elizabeth Mantey, and Margaret Ward joined the professional organization that recognizes and encourages scholastic excellence as well as provides a vehicle for entry-level occupational therapy students to exchange information and to collaborate regarding scholarly activities. 

“We are challenged today and in every coming day to go beyond the requirements of an education, to continue to learn for the knowledge and growth it brings to us, and to help others meet their needs to the best of our abilities,” third-year student Alice Lee, president of the IHP chapter, told the new inductees. 

Students who are in the top 35% of their cohort, with a GPA of 3.5 or greater are eligible to join.

Dr. Kathy Lyons, the Institute chapter’s faculty advisor and director of the Cancer Rehabilitation (CaRe) Lab, challenged the students to commit to lifelong scholarship after they graduate from the three-year program.

“I’m a scientist with the heart of a therapist. I want you to be a therapist with the brain of a scientist,” Lyons said. “That means being curious about your clients and their worlds and their choices. That means observing things, coming up with hypotheses about what you might be seeing, and then seeking information to explore whether those hypotheses are true. And it means using your voice and being part of the conversation.”

She added, “That is your lifetime scholarship - to keep being curious with your clients, keep an open mind to where we can be doing things that work better, and use your voice to share your knowledge. Because your profession needs you to make it is strong as it can be. Your future clients need you to help them live authentic lives full of meaningful occupations despite any challenge life throws at them.”

People smiling and standing in a row
Epsilon Zeta chapter faculty advisor Dr. Kathleen Lyons (far right) with the chapter's leadership: Alice Lee (president), Elizabeth Litt (treasurer), Sarah Kunkel (secretary) , Kate Moore (education committee chair) , and Jaclyn Okun (vice president).