AOTA INSPIRE CONFERENCE
FiveoccupationaltherapystudentsattendedAmericanOccupationalTherapy Association’sannualInspireConference.SeniorsEmilyMurphy,EmilyKane,Eva Dara,andJocelynKugler,alongsidegraduatestudentKaitlynGelman,traveledto Anaheim,CaliforniafromApril23–25torepresentTheUniversityofScranton.
Whileinattendance,studentsparticipatedinavarietyofeducationalsessions, workshops,andnetworkingopportunities.Theseexperiencesprovidedthe opportunitytolearnaboutcurrentresearch,innovativeinterventions,andemerging trendswithinthefieldofoccupationaltherapy.Studentswerealsoabletoconnect withpractitioners,educators,andfellowstudentsfromacrossthecountry.
COMMUNITY FAIR
ThisSaturdayMay9 from11am-2pm, ThePineBrookFamilyArtsFestival willbehappeninginScranton.The sophomoreOTstudentshavemadearts andcraftsprojectsforthechildrentodo aspartoftheircommunitybased learningexperience. th
PAWS AND PURPOSE
OnApril26th,theUniversityofScranton ServiceDogspartneredwithEndless MountainsVineyardforasold-outevent focusedonhighlightingthepowerful impactdogshaveintherapeuticroles. Duringtheevent,theServiceDogs CommitteecollaboratedwithDr.Lisa KozdentoraiseproceedsfortheScranton SchoolfortheDeaf,supportingthe placementofaservicedog.
TheNationalAllianceonMentalIllness(NAMI)heldanAdultMentalHealthFirst AidCourseonMarch30 andApril8,2026attheUniversityofScranton.The eight-hourcoursewasofferedfreeofchargetoparticipantsthroughapartnershipwith NAMIofNortheastPennsylvania.Itteachesparticipantshowtorecognizesignsof mentalhealthcrisesandprovidesupportuntilprofessionalhelpisavailable.
Thistrainingisespeciallyimportantforoccupationaltherapists,asweoftenwork closelywithindividualsandmaybethefirstpointofcontactforsomeone experiencingdistress.Uponcompletionofthecourse,studentsreceivedacertification validforthreeyears.
JULIADOWNING
Happening in Leahy Hall...
ERIN BAILEY
ErinBailey,ajuniordualmajoringinOccupationalTherapy andPhilosophy,wasselectedforpublicationthroughthePhi SigmaTaupapercontest.Herpaper,titled“Wagneras Mirror:Nietzsche’sAutobiographicalTheoryofDecadence,” exploreshowNietzscheviewedcomposerRichardWagner asareflectionofhisownideasaboutculturaldeclineand personalstruggle.HerfullarticlecanbefoundinthePenn TauChapteroftheundergraduatephilosophyjournal.In additiontothisimpressivepublication,Erinwasalso inductedintothephilosophicalhonorsociety.
Congratulations,Erin!
OTD UPDATES!
OurinauguralOTDclasshascompletedtheircapstoneexperiencesanddidexcitingthings!Weareso proudofeachandeveryoneofthem!CometoScholarshipDayonthemorningofMon.,May18,2026,to heartheOTDstudentspresentontheirprojects.Ifyouattendforaminimumof30minutes,thiscanbea professionaldevelopmentactivity.
FifthyearOTDstudentshavetheirprojectideasfinalizedandhavebeenworkingthissemestertolearnall abouttheirtopicsandpreparethemselvesforthedoctoralcapstoneexperiences(DCEs).Hereisabrief overviewofthevariedtopicsourOTDstudentswillbeexploring:
AnadvocacyprojectfocusedonNewYorkState'sSelf-directionsupports(budgets,caregiver arrangements,etc.)forindividualswithautismspectrumdisorder,specificallyfocusedonhousing sustainabilitywithinthecommunity.
Aprogramthatwillfacilitateaccesstonatureforindividualsofallabilitiesusingprinciplesofinclusive anduniversaldesigninoutdoorsettings.
Ahumaneeducationgroupformiddleschool-agedchildrenthataimstoutilizethehuman-animalbond tofostersocialskills,emotionalregulation,andcommunityparticipation.
Writingandillustratingachildren’sbookforsiblingsofchildrenwithchronicconditionstonavigate emotionalregulation,roles,routines,andfamilycommunication.
Aquantitativeresearchstudyfocusingonthebenefitsofaclient-centerednonpharmacologicalactivities programonneuropsychiatricsymptomsforolderadultswithdementialivinginamemorycarefacility. Developmentofanevidence-basedoccupationaltherapytoolkittosupportclientsandcaregiversduring thetransitionfromacutecaretohomefollowingbraintumorsurgery.
Researchonbarriers,motivations,anddesignpreferencesinfluencingtechnologyuseamongadultsaged 40andoldertoinformthedevelopmentofauniversallydesigned,accessiblehealthappthatsupports wellnessandlongevity.
Aprojectistitled“AHealthyMeandBYP”:CreatingaComprehensiveWellnessProgramatBackyard Players&Friends.Iwillbedesigningaweeklywellnessclassandhandheldresourcecenteredaround SAMHSA’seightdimensionsofwellness!
SENIORS PARTNER WITH
INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES IN MOTION
Occupational therapy seniors recently had the opportunity to partner with Individual Abilities in Motion (I AM) to expand their knowledge and hands-on experience in adaptive recreation. Through participation in I AM’s Bike Buddy Program, students were trained to support individuals with disabilities in accessing adaptive biking.
The Bike Buddy Program focuses on promoting inclusion, independence, and physical activity by pairing trained volunteers with riders who benefit from adaptive equipment. OT students learned about different types of adaptive bikes, how to safely assist with transfers, properly fit adaptive bikes, and provide physical and verbal support to ensure a successful and enjoyable riding experience.
FACULTY PUBLICATIONS
Dr.Budashandseveralstudentsfromaformerresearchteam,Danielle DePasquale,MackenzieLongo,andErinQuinn,hadtheirresearchaccepted forpublication.Thestudy,titled“MeaningThroughOccupation:A QualitativeStudyofSpiritualityinOlderAdults,”waspublishedinthe OccupationalTherapyJournalofResearch.andinvestigatedhowolder adultsunderstandspiritualityandwhatoccupationstheyviewasspiritual. Theresultslinkedspiritualitytoreflection,ahigherbeingorpersonalvalues, andapositiveinfluenceonlife.Anadditionalfindingwasthatmany occupationscanbeexperiencedasspiritualandthisvariesbyperson.The studysuggeststhatoccupationaltherapistsshouldexploreclients’spiritual beliefsandhowtheyareexpressedthroughmeaningfuloccupations. Congratulationsonthispublication!
AOP PRESENTATION
“InApril,graduatestudentsinAdvanced OccupationalPerformanceIIgave presentationsatlocalhighschoolsaboutOT! Wesharedinformationabouttheprofession overall,aswellaswhatScranton'sOTprogram lookslike.Macy,Andrea,andIspoketoa juniorandseniorAnatomy&Physiologyclass atDunmoreHighSchool.Thestudents(and teacher,Christy)reallyenjoyedour presentation,anditwasagreatopportunityfor ustoparticipateincommunityeducationand advocacyforourprofession”-LilaNaccari
Macy Hammond, Andrea Herrera, and Lila Naccari JULIADOWNING
SOTA Spotlight
Thispastweek,onApril22,theStudent OccupationalTherapyAssociationhosted NicholeSchmidt,themotherofGabbyPetito. NicholewasjoinedbyGabby’sstepmother, TaraPetito,tosharetheirstoryandraise awarenesssurroundingdomesticviolenceand advocacyefforts.Theywereinvitedby occupationaltherapystudentKaciSergi,thank youKaci!Thiswasanincrediblyopportunityto learnaboutwarningsignstowatchoutforas therapistsandeducatingusontheimportanceof prioritizingsafetyinandoutofclinicalsettings.
JAYDAEIKE
SOTA ADAPTIVE ICE CREAM EVENT
SOTAhelditsannualAdaptiveIceCream EventonApril7,2026.Thiseventteaches studentsattheUniversityaboutadaptivetools thatweuseinOccupationaltherapy.Those whocametothepop-upeventinDenaples’ DiningHallwereabletousethetoolstoadd toppingstotheiricecream.Theadaptivetools atthiseventincludedabuilt-upweighted spoon,anEasyGripbendablespoon,andan extendedspoon.
Thankyoutoallwhocameout!Wehadso muchfuntryingouttheadaptiveequipment withyou!
S.M.A.R.T
KAWA Model
Dr.MichaelIwamavisitedfourstudentsin GraduateSeminarwithDr.JenniferWhittaker toeducatethemontheKawaModelpriorto theirpresentationtotheclass.TheKawaModel isaclient-centeredoccupationaltherapy frameworkdevelopedbyDr.Iwamain collaborationwithateamofJapanese occupationaltherapists.Thismodelusesariver asametaphorforhumanlife,illustratinga person’sinteractionwiththeirenvironment andlife’sobstacles.Itemphasizeslifecontext andinterconnectednessratherthanfocusing solelyontheindividual.Thankyou,Dr. Iwama,forworkingwithourgraduatestudents andprovidingsuchameaningfullearning experience.
ScrantonOTshavebeenhardatworkwith theS.M.A.R.TProgram(ScrantonMentors ActivelyReachingTeens),aeight-week initiativepairinguniversitystudentswith highschoolersfromScrantonandWest ScrantonHighSchools.Theprogram focusesonbuildingmentoringrelationships, improvingacademicsuccess,anddiscussing topicssuchashealthyrelationshipsand personalpotential.SeniorOTstudentAlex MorelliservedastheMentorCoordinator, whilejuniorOTstudentOliviaGallione participatedasamentor.Theywere supportedbyfellowOTstudentsRiley SaposnickandMarissaManzo,whoserved asaides.
LIVA PERFORMING ARTS
FromApril16through18,thestudent-runLivaPerformingArtsgroup hadasuccessfulrunoftheirspringproduction,Oklahoma!Foryears,Liva hasbeenstronglyrepresentedbyOTstudents,thisyearwithseniorLily Guidettitakingthelead.SeniorCaitlinMannionandsophomoreKimberly Lanetookthestageaspartoftheensemble,whilejuniorsErinAdomilli andAnnaTroutwerepartoftheruncrew.DaniellaMcCathymanaged spotlightsandsophomoreKaitlynMcElduffdirectedlighting.
TheUniversityofScrantonPlayers recentlypreformed“Apiary”fromApril 29th-May3 Thetalentandeffectsin thisshowwereincredibleandhadone ofScrantonsveryownalumni'sSam Moralesheretodirecttheshow.
SophomoreOTstudentJaydaEike assistedthisshowasitspropmanager anditwasawonderfultime.
ERINADOMILLI
Thissemester,thestudent-volunteersof GoBabyGoworkedonmodifyingtoy carsfor10childrenintheScrantonarea. Volunteerswerefromvaryingmajors andworkedtobuildanddecorate personalizedcarsforeachchild.Thecars weregiventothechildrenatthethird annualGoBabyGoCommunityDay eventheldonSunday,May3rd!Thank youtoallwhohelpedalongtheway. Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningthis amazinginitiativenextyear,contact Dr.StephanieDenaplesat stephanie.denaples@scranton.edu
ADULTHOOD AND AGING
SeniorOTstudentshavebeenhardatworkin OT423:AdulthoodandAging.Thecourseis separatedintothreesections,instructedbyDr. AnnRomanosky,Dr.DeborahElginBudash, andDr.LisaKozden.Dr.Romanosky’ssection visitedElanSkilledNursingandRehabilitation tocreatememoryboxesforclients.Dr. Budash’ssectioncollaboratedwith NeighborWorkstoinstallsafetykitsandsmart hometechnologyforcommunitydwelling seniorsintheScrantonarea.Dr.Kozden’s sectionvisitedAmosTowersApartmentsand WebsterTowerstoengageresidentsinachair exerciseprogramthatconnectedmusicand fitness.
Senior OT Student Athletes
EMILY KANE DIVING
SOPHIA ROMANO DIVING
CAMRYN HOFFMAN VOLLEYBALL
JESSICA MCCABE LACROSSE
MIA DINNOCENZIO LACROSSE
KATHERINE HARREN CROSSCOUNTRY TRACKANDFIELD
LANDMARK CHAMPIONS
Women’soutdoortrackandfield wontheirfirstLandmark ConferenceChampionshiponMay 3rd.CongratulationstoourOT trackandfieldstudentathletes, KatieHarren,MadelineSamar, KelseyMyler,SophiaAbbott, SamanthaSolar,ShannonPulis, andAfauApau!
Women’sLacrossewontheir fourthstraightLandmark ConferenceChampionship onMay2nd.Congratsand goodluckintheNCAA tournamenttoourveryown RileyMiller,JessicaMcCabe andMiaDinnocenzio!
NCAA RUNNER-UPS
CongratulationstotheLadyRoyalsonan incredibleseason!Thewomen’sbasketball teamfinishedNCAARunner-Upafteran outstanding32–1record.
SpecialcongratulationstoourLadyRoyal OTs-BrookeOlender,MeghanLamanna,and NatalieStoupakisonthisamazing accomplishment!
EMILYKANE
Scranton Supports Service Dogs
OnMay9,TheUniversityofScrantonService Dogswillbehostingtheir15 annualSpringFling celebration.Thisspecialeveningbringstogether students,supporters,andthecommunitytocelebrate ayearofhardwork,dedication,andmakingan impact.Thiseventisnotonlyacelebration,butan opportunitytoraisefurtherawarenessandsupportfor theServiceDogscauseandforallthetrainingand hardworkthatgoesintoplacingadog.Thisyear’s servicedogwillberecievedbytheScrantonSchool forDeafandHardofHearingChildren.The placementofthisdogwouldnotbepossiblewithout thehardworkofthegraduatestudents,aswellasthe countlesscommunitymemberswhohavedonated andsupportedthiscause.
SCHOLARSHIP DAY
OnMay18th,graduatestudentswillparticipateinthemuch anticipatedScholarshipDay.Inthemorningsession,9Doctorate studentswillpresenttheirdoctoralcapstoneprojects,andinthe afternoonsession,5groupsofMastersstudentswillpresenttheir facultymentoredresearchprojects.Thedaywillendwitha receptionandpinningceremonytocelebrate.ScrantonOTisso proudofallofourgraduatestudentsandtheircontinuoushard work!
Emily
Julia
Rebekah
Erin
Gabriella
Olivia
JaydaEike Olivia
