Our Graduates Succeed!

Graduate Class 2009

Graduate & Honors Projects presented nationally (2009)

The Effects of Gaze Direction on Auditory Perception in Unilateral Neglect

Emily Smith; Judy Ericksen, PhD, OTR/L; Megan Dean, MS, OTR/L

Clinical Supervisors’ Perceptions of Level II Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Performance

Christine Achenbach, MEd, OTR/L; Ashley Grandi, MS, OTR/L

Learning by Doing: Graduate Students’ Perspectives Regarding a Short-Term, International Work Experience in Haiti: A Qualitative Case Study

Tamera Humbert, DEd, OTR/L; Rachel Berriker; Jillian Cline

Family L.I.F.E.: Exploration of Family Occupations Across Cultures and Conditions

DeLana Honaker, PhD, OTR/L; Jessica Ogden; Megan Smith

The Connection Between the Work Environment and Sensory Processing in Adults with Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders

Deborah Waltermire, MHS, OTR/L; Bethanie Steese; Laura Walton

The Impact of Breast Cancer on Roles and Occupations

Ann Marie Knecht Potter, MA, OTR/L; Jodi Glover, MS, OT; Sarah Spetgang, MS, OT; Jenna Yacyk, MS, OT

Development and Validation of the Hand Assessment Tool

Daniel Panchik, DSc

Validating the Write Test: A Holistic Handwriting Assessment

DeLana Honaker, PhD, OTR/L; Cara Bauder; Crystal Gault

Graduate & Honors Projects presented in the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2008)

OT graduate faculty/student research collaborations were recognized by the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) conference in King of Prussia, October 4-5. Eleven of fifteen 07-08 graduate projects were presented. Two of the 07-08 Honors-in-the-Discipline projects were presented as well.

Clinical Supervisor's Perceptions of Level II Fieldwork

Christine Achenbach, M.Ed., OTR/L, Fieldwork Coordinator, Ashley Grandi, MSOT

An occupational therapy program: A multifaceted outcomes approach through curricular mapping

Nancy Carlson, Ph.D. OTR/L, Lisa Gimbert, MSOT; Becky Gross MSOT; Stephanie Wheeler, MSOT

Socialization and Creativity in Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease

Judy Ericksen, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Courtney Fellows, MSOT; Kelly Jarick, MSOT

Gaze Direction and Auditory Perception in Unilateral Neglect

Judy Ericksen, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Emily Smith, MSOT; Megan Dean, MSOT, OTR/L

Validating the WRITE Test: A Holistic Handwriting Approach

DeLana Honaker, PhD, OTR, BCP, Associate Professor, Cara Lee Bauder, MSOT; Crystal Marie Gault, MSOT

Family L.I.F.E.: Exploration of Family Occupations across Cultures

DeLana Honaker, PhD, OTR, BCP, Associate Professor, Jessica Ogden, MSOT; Megan Smit, MSOT

Graduate Students’ Perspectives: A Work Experience in Haiti

Tamera Keiter Humbert, D. Ed., OTR/L, Associate Professor, Rachel Berriker, MSOT: Jillian Cline, MSOT

Validation of the Hand Assessment Tool

Dan Panchik, PhD, OTR/L, Sara L. Buckwalter, MSOT; Amanda Wormann, MSOT

Impact of Breast Cancer on Roles and Occupations

Ann Marie Potter, MA, OTR/l, Lecturer, Jodi L. Glover MSOT; Sarah E. Spetgang, MSOT; Jenna L. Yacyk, MSOT

A Fashion Show for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Ann Marie Potter, MA, OTR/l, Lecturer, Ashlen J. Godshall, MOTS; Kelly Downs, MOTS

Photography: Linking Developmental Disabilities with Occupational Narrative

Ann Marie Potter, MA, OTR/l, Lecturer, Laurie J. Hoover, MOTS

Understanding Homelessness through Occupational Adaptation: A Pilot Study

Angela Salvadia, EdD, OTR/L, Ayesha Ali, MSOT; Rachel Brownback, MSOT; Gina Stryker, MSOT

Schizophrenia& Schizoaffective Disorder: Sensory Processing and Work Environments

Debbie Waltermire, MHS, OTR/L, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Bethanie Steese, MSOT; Laura Walton, MSOT

Launching into the job market

• 9% were employed by the completion of degree requirements
• 60% were employed within 4 weeks
• 90% were employed within 8 weeks

Where do our students work?

• 66% work in PA; 15% work in NJ ~ other graduates work in Maryland & Delaware
• 80% work in physical rehabilitation settings, primarily inpatient rehabilitation ~ other graduates work in school systems, pediatrics, and psychosocial rehabilitation. The majority of our students serve in more than one practice setting.
• 80% work with in gerontology; 70% work with adults ~ other graduates work with 0-3 populations, school-age children, adolescents, and adults.
• 90% of our graduates are employed full-time.

How do alumni and employers view the competency of our graduates?

• Both employers and alumni highlight the strength of our students in communicating with clients, evaluations, interventions, and documentation. Professional development and using evidence in practice were noted with special distinction.
• 100% of employers believed that our students were exceptionally skilled in caregiver inclusion, client relationships, cultural understanding, professional behavior, ethics, documentation, and project organization.

Quotable Quotes from alumni and employers

STRENGTHS

• She is knowledgeable about a variety of diagnoses and treatment interventions, and also about the means to access research and information to gain further knowledge.
• She is very thorough and detail oriented. She does not leave until a job is completed. She is a team player. Does need a boost of confidence at times.
• She is among the strongest clinical student and new graduate therapist we have hired. She demonstrates maturity, professionalism, commitment to patient care, and excellent communication skills. She demonstrates strong clinical reasoning, a willingness to receive feedback from supervisors, and strong entry level evaluation and treatment skills. She is not afraid to look things up and challenge herself.

DISTINCTIONS

• We have had several students from Elizabethtown College and I feel the maturity and the willingness to put forth the extra effort (i.e. researching diagnoses, developing treatment plans and integration of clinical reasoning skills) distinguishes your students from other school programs.
• A high degree of professional behaviors, preparedness, and a caring, client-centered approach.

• Well- rounded individuals. Always demonstrate good clinical skills because of the intense knowledge background given by Etown.

How we live out our value of Occupational Justice in our curriculum.

Reporting from the National Certification of Occupational Therapy Education (NBCOT) & EC Fieldwork Coordinator

Within the 3-year period from January 2006 to December 2008, a total of 78 students took the NBCOT Certification exam. In that same period, the first time pass rate was71.4%. This pass rate places the program within compliance of accreditation set by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).