Elizabethtown College celebrated the graduation of its inaugural class of entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students at the College’s 121st Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 11.

“We were thrilled to recognize the first cohort of entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate students at this year’s Commencement ceremony,” Elizabethtown College Dean of the School of Human and Health Professions, Tamera Humbert said. “As part of the requirements to complete the program, students completed a comprehensive capstone experience by selecting a community-based program, completing a needs assessment, and designing a comprehensive program focused on the occupational needs of select populations. The capstone experience exemplifies our College’s motto of Educate for Service and extends the reach to new communities.”

The OTD capstone experience allows students to apply advanced knowledge by developing, implementing, and disseminating an in-depth, evidence-based project of choice. The graduates presented their capstone projects, the final requirements for their graduation over Zoom in early May on the following topics:

  • Madison Robb ’22, OTD’24 — Occupational Therapy’s Role within a Community-Based Organization to Advocate for the Chronic Disease Population
  • Clare Marchese ’22, OTD’24 — Creating Community: Integrating Independent Living and Memory Care Residents in Residential Care Facilities
  • Lindsay Barney ’22, OTD’24 — Managing the Occupational Impacts of Food Allergies: A Unique Role for Occupational Therapy Practitioners
  • Kaitlyn Ohl ’22, OTD’24 — Animal Assisted Interventions: Occupational Health and Activity Engagement for Populations with Dementia
  • Sarah Guber ’22, OTD’24 — Social Media & Me: An Occupation Based Social Media Literacy and Mental Health Promotion Program for Adolescents
  • Emily Pellicano ’22, OTD’24 — Promoting Participation of Children with Sensory Processing Differences Through Inclusive Community-Based Initiatives
  • Allision Velardi ’22, OTD’24 — Dating as an Occupation: Exploring the Skills Necessary for the Forming and Maintaining of Healthy Relationships in the Down Syndrome Community

All seven graduates had previously earned their Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Elizabethtown College.

“I feel honored to be a part of this group of students who have supported and encouraged each other through the entire process and worked so hard for this,” Ohl said. “Obtaining my OTD from Etown has prepared me with leadership, research, and theoretical skills that I can use to help provide the best treatment for my future patients.”

Through Etown’s distinctive and distinguished Occupational Therapy program, students are afforded the opportunity to start and finish their educational journey at Etown by graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and earning a five-year, entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree or a six-year, entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) from the College.

Unlike many peer institutions, Etown offers a combined undergraduate/graduate academic program in Occupational Therapy that does not require students to reapply for either graduate degree program. Over 95% of seniors enroll in and complete the master’s degree at Etown, and 98% of students pass their certification exams in their first year.

Elizabethtown College also launched a 100% online Post Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD) in 2021 designed for licensed occupational therapists seeking to earn a doctorate.

Learn more about Elizabethtown College’s Occupational Therapy program.