SCRANTON ON THE SPOT
NewsletteroftheOccupationalTherapyDepartmentatTheUniversityofScranton
MEET THE NEWSLETTER TEAM
The University of Scranton Occupational Therapy Department is excited to announce the 2025–2026 Newsletter Team! Dr. Deborah Budash will continue to serve as Faculty Mentor and Head Editor, guiding the team in creating informative content throughout the year. Senior Julia Downing will take on the role of Associate Editor, bringing leadership and experience to the publication. She is joined by fellow senior team members Rebekah Thompson, Emily Murphy, and Emily Kane. Junior team members include Erin Adomilli, Gabriella Graham, Olivia Gallione, Daniella McCathy, and McKenna Wilson. Sophomore representatives are Jayda Eike, Carley Dumaresq, and Olivia Dougherty.
We look forward to a fantastic year of collaboration from this talented team!
Whats Happening in Leahy Hall...
OT422L:Makingfinger splintsinHandLab
OT424:Learning visionassessments
CARFIT CERTIFIACTION
On October 3rd, graduate occupational therapy students in OT 525: Occupational Therapy in Community Settings partnered with UNC of NEPA to host their first CarFit event of the year. CarFit is a unique program developed by AOTA and AARP that teaches older drivers how to adjust their vehicles to maximize safety and comfort. Students in OT 525 become trained CarFit technicians. They assess the current condition of the car, examining 12 key areas of vehicle fit. Students then make any necessary adaptations, including adjusting the seat belt position, steering wheel tilt, and pedal access. These modifications ensure the driver's vision, comfort, and control are optimized. This program is free for community members and will be hosted twice more throughout the month, on October 17th and 23rd.
SCRANTON FRINGE FESTIVAL PUPPET SHOW
Graduate occupational therapy students in OT 520: Advanced Occupational Performance provided children at Scranton Children's Library with a unique learning experience. Students worked together to participate in the Scranton Fringe Festival. Students put together and hosted a puppet show and a puppet-making workshop. Leading up to the show, students prepared by hand-making puppets and writing a script for the show. The puppet show told stories of friendship, allowing children to explore the concepts of empathy and kindness. The puppet-making workshop involved creating various types of puppets to cater to the diverse needs and interests of the participating children. Students provided group and one-on-one instruction for the children, taking into account each child's needs. The participating children had a wide range of ages and abilities, but all children alike enjoyed the ability to express themselves through creativity.
EMILY KANE
SOTA Spotlight
SOTA has just elected two new first year representatives, Gracie Buchholz and Ella Sulewski! Congratulations! We also welcome and congratulate the 2025-2026 Board:
President--Emily Murphy
Vice President--Erin Adomilli
Secretary--Grace Comiciotto
Treasurer--Riley Saposnick
ASD Rep--Eva Dara
Community Service Co-Chairs--Rebekah Thompson & Gabriella Graham
Senior Reps--Emily Kane & Julia Downing
Junior Reps--Christina Gabriel & Kelsey Myler
Sophomore Reps--Carley Dumaresq & Jayda Eike
Coming up soon are three Halloween events: Monster Mash Bash (10/18), Arc Halloween Dance (10/23), and Adaptive Halloween Candy (10/28)!
ARC BUDDY WALK
On Sunday, October 5, members of SOTA volunteered at the Arc Buddy Walk. This event raises awareness for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Supporters, advocates, family, friends, and more walk around the Scranton High School Track to celebrate their loved ones. Along with the walk, this even is a family fun day with food, entertainment, raffles, children's activities. SOTA members handed out T-shirts, checked participants in, and cheered on those taking part in the celebratory walk.
OCCUPATIONAL THERA-PUP HAS ARRIVED!
Dr. Lisa Kozden has a new therapy pet at Leahy Hall! Meet Ellee, a 3.5-monthold Bolognese puppy who’s joined her big sister, Nala, in supporting student wellness and mental health through pet therapy. Ellee’s favorite activities include chasing Nala, chewing on her leash, and enthusiastically biting anything in sight. Lisa acts as Nala and Ellee’s Kahu, which in Hawaiin culture this is a guardian or a protector entrusted with the care of her dogs’ soul. Stop by Lisa’s office, Leahy 322 to meet Ellee and say hi to Nala! JULIA DOWNING
A
SENDING LOVE AND HEALING TO MARY BENNETT
Because so many have been asking, we wanted to share that Mary is home now and progressing well with home OT and PT. She reports feeling stronger every day! Mary also wanted to thank everyone for their kind wishes, their cards, and donations. They helped to make tough days better! She says she misses everyone! Stay tuned for another card shower announcement. If you would like to be involved, you will have a chance soon!
OTD ACCREDITATION UPDATE
AccordingtoDr.CotéthenewOTDprogramisinthefinal phaseofcompletionwhichincludesaccreditation.ThispastApril theprogramwasgranted"pre-accreditation"statusandis currentlyworkingwithaccreditorson-sitetoexaminethe programforfullaccreditation.Manystudentsinboththe undergraduateandOTDportionsoftheprogrammetwiththe accreditationteamtodiscusstheirperceptionoftheprogram.The teamalsometwithseveralofourfieldworksupervisorsand capstonementorsoverZoom,andtheywereveryimpressedwith theenthusiasmofallinvolvedandoftheresourcesand opportunitieswehaveforourstudents.Now,theteamwillmake arecommendationtoACOTE,theaccreditingbody,andan accreditationdecisionwillbeofficiallyannouncedinJanuary.We areveryconfidenttherewillbeapositiveoutcome...staytuned!
12seniorsfromtheClassof2026haveoptedfortheOTDroute. TheyhaverecentlygottenstartedontheResearchandScholarship trackthissemester.Congratstoeveryone!!
Olivia Gallione
ROYALS STUDY ABROAD
Maria Rosinski (2026) studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, through the DIS Study Abroad Program, where she focused on Nordic Mythology.
Eva Dara (2026) studied abroad in Perugia, Italy, at the Umbra Institute, where she focused on Introduction to Italian.
Emma Shorter (2027) and Rachel Timmins (2027) studied abroad in Rome, Italy, through the CIEE Rome Program, where they focused on the Italian language in a course titled Beginning Exploring Rome: The Birthplace of the Modern Museum.
COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING
CLASS OF 2027
CLASS OF 2028
The sophomore class has started creating “paint and pour” ideas to administer at the Oppenheim Center, Amos Towers, and Webster Towers. The paintings and mocktails revolve primarily around the theme of fall (think pumpkin flavors, autumn colors, and Halloween images!) The sophomores have also paired with the “Fruits and Roots” community refrigerator located in Peckville. Students work with community partners to transport donated fruits and vegetables to the fridge so that individuals always have access to free, nutritious food options.
In their pediatrics course, the junior class has begun brainstorming ideas on how to make toys more adaptable for children with various medical conditions. Their main focus is utilizing a switch adaptation to add audio and motor aspects to the toy. At the end of the semester, the juniors will travel to Trinity Child Care in St. Joseph’s Center where they will meet the children, introduce them to their toy, and promote play inclusivity and participation.
Olivia Dougherty
LEVEL 1 FIELD WORK TRIP TO KAUAI
HAWAII
The OT Department will be going back to Kauai, Hawaii for their Physical Rehabilitation Fieldwork Level I rotation. Four senior students, Julia Ventura, Caitlin Mannion, Rebekah Thompson, Rowan Cann, and four graduate students, Meredith Lee, Katie Holdsworth, Lila Naccari, and Emily Welborn, will be attending alongside Dr. Courtney Lancia and Dr. Lisa Kozden from January 7th to 17th, 2026. Senior students will be completing their fieldwork alongside healthcare workers in the beautiful Kauai as graduate student will immerse themselves in community learning opportunities. We recently harvested grapes for Endless Vineyards as a way to begin our community engagement!
Follow kauai ot26 on Instagram to keep up with future fundraising opportunities to assist our students in the cost of this trip. We appreciate all support! Keep a lookout for our next bake sale on the week of 10/27! We will also be releasing OT apparel soon!
LEVEL 1 FIELD WORK TRIP TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Each year, University of Scranton OT students travel to the Dominican Republic for Level I fieldwork, applying what they’ve learned while serving the community. The trip includes pop-up therapy sessions, community outreach, and building a home for a local family. OT student Lily Guidetti said the thing that made her apply “is the fact that it is an amazing opportunity to go into an underserved community and practice what we have been learning for the past few years.” She’s “most excited about experiencing a different culture and their approach to therapy, as well as educating them on the skills we are learning.” Lily hopes the group can “leave a positive impact on the community [they] are helping” and that “the pop-up sessions we hold can help many individuals with various conditions feel a sense of relief in any way we can.”
To support the trip, visit fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/OTDR and follow @ot drservicetrip on Instagram.
REBEKAH THOMPSON
CARLEY DUMARESQ
RECREATIONAL SPORTS HIGHLIGHT
One way many Royals get involved and stay active on campus is by joining recreational sports. From basketball and soccer to pickleball and cornhole there is a sport for everyone’s interests. Senior Angie Warren has been involved since her first year as a student. She reflects back on how it helped her make friends but also make money once she became a ref. She was also promoted to supervisor, and she says it taught her about leadership and quick response skills, which she knows will help her as a future OT. Intramural sports help with social participation, staying active, but also teach students much more valuable life skills, and many OT students have taken advantage of getting involved with this.
ERIN ADOMILLI
ST. CLARE'S AND ST. PAUL'S FOOD PANTRY
Senior OT students Julia Downing, Megan Casey, Grace Comiciotto, and Rebekah Thompson volunteer at St. Clare’s/St. Paul’s food pantry on Fridays for two hours serving food to those that need more assistance than their food stamps cover. They have promoted community health through providing members with nutrition to last them a week. This is a great opportunity to strengthen community bonds, foster connection, and empower individuals by showing them support.
ARC FAMILY FUN FEST
5 KATE
OT students participated and volunteered at the annual 5Kate on Saturday October 4 . The 5Kate is a race in honor of Katie Shoener and for awareness of mental health. Students In the OT department volunteered to help give runners waters, or direct and encourage them as they ran. Three Senior OT students (Julia Downing, Emily Murphy, and Rebekah Thompson) ran in the race to
SOTA members volunteered at the Arc’s annual Family Fun Fest that took place on September 14 at Waldorf Park. This event is just like its name: tons of family filled fun activities for children and adults. This is the Arc’s main fundraising event to help support all they do for our community. Individuals with disabilities, families, and friends participated in the Kiddie Corner, where SOTA members did face painting, corn hole, and more fun games! th not only to support the cause but also to support their fellow runners. The NAMI Foundation gives our OT students free mental health training courses in the spring for volunteering. Thank you to all who came out!!
PENNSYLVANIA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION
ThePennsylvaniaOccupationalTherapyAssociationwillholditsannual conferenceonOctober24-26atKing’sCollegeinWilkes-Barre,PA. Thisyear,severalfacultymembersfromtheOTdepartmentwillbe presentingpre-institutes(Friday,October24)andposters(Saturday, October25,10:30-2:30).
PENN POINT
Afteraseveral-yearhiatus,POTA’snewsletterismakingacomeback.A memberoftheGannonUniversityOTfacultyisservingaseditor.Dr. Budashvoluteeredtohelpwiththenewsletterandwasassignedthestory oftheupcomingPOTAConference.Ifyouwouldliketohelpinsharing thestudentperspectiveofconference,seeDr.B.Keepaneyeoutforthe newesteditionofPennPoint,comingsoon!
POTA PRESENTATION
On October 2, 2025, the POTA Student Networking Board held its first virtual event of the semester. The event was about coping skills in OT and OTA schools. The Student Networking Board is comprised of 11 interns from OT and OTA schools across PA. One of our own Class of 2027 OT’s, Gabriella Graham, is part of this board and presented about networking and student support. The event had a great turnout with 80 students, 70 being from the U! The Student Networking Board would like to thank you for your support!
Scranton Supports Service Dogs
This year, graduate OT students will be working to raise money to provide a service dog to an individual who would greatly benefit from one. While the recipient has not yet been finalized, there are several potential candidates being considered. The committee has an exciting lineup of fundraisers planned throughout the year, including merchandise sales and local partnerships! Please consider supporting their efforts to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life!
GRAD AND FIRST-YEAR MENTORSHIP
A new program has launched this fall in the OT department. Grad student Kaitlyn Gelman came up with an idea to have a mentorship program, where first year OT students are paired with Graduate OT students to help them navigate and transition into the profession. 16 graduate students have volunteered to mentor 40 first year students and they will be an added resource, offering guidance about coursework, fieldwork, and help them find their place on campus. Mentees and mentors were assigned based on hometowns and shared interests in order to encourage meaningful connections in hopes of this program having long term success.
MCKENNA WILSON
SOTA CLASS OF 2029 REPS
Congratulations to Ella Sulewski and Gracie Bucholz from the Class of 2029 on being voted Class Representatives for SOTA by their peers! The rest of SOTA is excited to collaborate with you both!
SOTA T-SHIRT CONTEST
SeniorOTstudent,AllieLerro, designedthewinningT-shirtforthe contestwiththedesignshowntothe right.TheshirtfeaturesNalaandEllee, ProfessorLisaKozden’spreciouspups!If you’reinterestedinpurchasing,stay tunedforanemailthatwillbesentout!
GRACIE BUCHHOLZ
ELLA SULEWSKI
FRONT
BACK
JULIA DOWNING
Senior
Emily
Emily
Julia
Rebekah
Junior
Daniella
Erin
Gabriella
McKenna
Olivia
SophomoreStudents
CarleyDumaresq
JaydaEike
OliviaDougherty
