(Pronouns: she/her)
What year did you start the program?
2020
What are your prior degrees and at which institutions?
Post Professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy: San Jose State University ‘08 Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy: University of New Hampshire ‘01
What was your favorite course in the program?
OH 886: Teaching and Learning
What was your Innovation Project title?
Bridging the Knowledge Gap: OT and PT Intervention for GVHD
Tell us about your Innovation Project.
This project seeks to equip OTs and PTs that treat clients with Graft-Versus-Host disease with Confidence, Competence and Knowledge of the disease process, domains of concern, and appropriate interventions to address Pain, Participation, and Functional Performance, in hopes to a long-term impact of increased independence and HRQoL for this population.
What do you think is special about the Post-Professional OTD program here at the MGH Institute?
I think the MGH-IHP stands out in its mission to prepare doctoral students for leadership opportunities. Faculty are supportive for occupational therapists that work full time. There are courses in JEDI, leadership, teaching, research and quality improvement that are important skills to have on a cv.
Why did you choose to come to this program?
Lisa Roth, a PT in training and development at MGH-Brigham homecare sent me an email about the PP-OTD program at the MGH-IHP, sharing how wonderful the program was. I was excited to see that the classes would be in the evening, and that the institute was through my own hospital network. Sarah McKinnon and Jessica Asiello held an online informational session during lunch breaks for OTs thinking about applying to their program. I spoke with Sarah personally about the program, Lynn-Brady Wagner at Spaulding, and with OTs doing their level IIs at my home care division of MGH. Everyone had spoken very highly of the program, and it had been a long-term goal to earn my OTD, so I decided to take the plunge.
What are your goals for the future after you graduate?
I am currently working on a project as a content editor for Colibri/Elite CEU and disseminating the GVHD toolkit project. I interviewed for a position as a fieldwork coordinator and anxiously await the hiring committee’s decision. I plan to continue to work toward a career in academia with scholarship continuing education.