SCRANTON ON THE SPOT
NewsletteroftheOccupationalTherapyDepartmentatTheUniversityofScranton
StudentsandProfessorsAttendAOTAInspire2025
TheAmericanOccupationalTherapyAssociation(AOTA)INSPIREConferencewasheldinPhiladelphia,PAin Aprilandouralumniandcurrentstudentsweretheretorepresent.Amongmanyundergraduate,graduate,alumni, andfacultyattendees,thereweremanyopportunitiestopresentanddiscusstheirwell-developedresearch.
DrDeborahBudashpresentedataclinicalapplicationofresearchsessionentitled"Meaning,Spirituality,and OccupationinAdultsAged65YearsandOlder"
Dr.MarleneMorganandGraduatestudentJordanSmithpresentedtheirresearchontheNESTassessmentto promoteaginginplacewitholderadults.
Dr.LauraZagackipresentedon“ApplyingOccupationalTherapytoAddressSiblingPlayandSocialParticipation whenoneSiblinghasASD”.ShewasjoinedbyalumniJessHackney,MirandaHanson,CathyCasola,Emily Nowak,DeannaIacullo,andKieraHarvey.
Dr.LisaKozdenpresentedherresearchabout“HowNeuromodulationCoachingAffectstheOccupational PerformanceandHealthofMedicalStudents.”ShewasjoinedbyalumniJessicaOpsal,JuliaKulpa,CristinaRodier, AlexisAngstadt,JuliaHiggins,CarolineBrawley,BreanneDolphin,andSaraDombrowski.
Dr.PatriciaWisniewskipresented"Community-basedLearning:ActionResearchtoExploreTransformative ChangeinFirst-yearOccupationalTherapyStudentsAwarenessAboutOccupationalJusticeandAttitudesToward CommunityEngagement"alongsidealumniGabrielleAllenandJuliannaLunt.
GabrielleAllenandJuliannaLuntpresentedtheirhistoricalanalysisofOT’sroleinneonatalcareunderfaculty mentor,Dr.MarleneMorgan.
In addition to the presentation of many incredible research projects, Department Chair Carol Coté and senior Kaitlyn Gelman organized an alumni networking reception. With over 50 attendees from over 5 different class years, this allowed alumni to reconnect with old friends and professors and for current students to develop new connections with their peers. Thank you Dr. Coté and Kaitlyn for planning this event!
CongratulationsDr.DeborahBudash!
University of Scranton OT’s very own Dr. Deborah Budash was presented an award at the AOTA Inspire Conference to celebrate her success in the field. Dr. Budash was added to AOTA’s Roster of Fellows, a remarkable honor and testament to her hard work and dedication to advancing the field of Occupational Therapy. On behalf of Scranton on the SpOT and the OT program we would like to congratulate Dr. Budash!
SOTA Spotlight
OnApril24 membersofSOTAjoinedthe ARCinanightoffunanddancing!The springflingwasfullofballoons,glowsticks, drawings,pizza,anddancing!SOTA membersparticipatedinsettingup,dancing thenightawaywithARCmembers,and cleaningup.Thankyoutoallwho volunteeredandSOTAislookingforwardto thenexteventwiththeARC.
RelayforLife
ARCSpringFlingD TakeBacktheNight
OnApril25th,theUniversityofScranton proudlyhostedRelayForLife,apowerful eventdedicatedtoraisingfundsforcancer researchthroughtheAmericanCancer Society.OurOccupationalTherapy studentsplayedasignificantroleinthis initiative,andwecouldn'tbeprouderof theircommitment,compassion,and effortstosupportsuchameaningfulcause.
SOTAmembersparticipatedinTake BacktheNighttoraiseawarenessabout abuseandtrauma.Theypresenteda posterhighlightingoccupational therapy’sroleintrauma-informedcare, emphasizinghowOTsupportssurvivors inhealingandre-engagingin meaningfuldailyactivities.
Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society Induction
On March 30th, 5 OT students were inducted into the University of Scranton’s Chapter of the National Jesuit Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu. Alpha Sigma Nu is the oldest Honor Society in the University and is the only Honor Society open to students and faculty in all disciplines and all colleges of the University; its admission standards are the most rigorous. The Greek letters of Alpha, Sigma, and Nu stand for adelphotes skolastikon nikephoron – brotherhood of honor students. Current juniors and seniors who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty, and service are eligible for membership in this society. Students must be in the top 15% of their respective academic class to be eligible for membership; then, individuals must be nominated by chapter members, recommended by the moderator, and ultimately appointed by the president of the University. No more than 5% of each graduating class is able to be accepted for membership.
2025 Inductees: Maddy Beretzki, Kiera Lapham, Hailey Monaghan, Lila Naccari, & Diana Bobko
Graduate student, Kelly McGovern, served as the treasurer of Alpha Sigma Nu for the 2024-2025 school year.
Other current OT students inducted in previous years: Madison Borys, Hailey Hopkins, Jessica Tsu, Annie Berger, Abigail Gillen, & Alanna Kelly
A big congratulations to all of the current and new members! We are so proud of you!!!
OT in the Community
NeonatalIntensiveCareUnit(NICU)DonationDrive
Thissemester,theStudentsofOccupational TherapyAssociation(SOTA)organizeda donationdrivetosupportalocalNeonatal IntensiveCareUnit(NICU).Spearheadedby juniorJuliaDowning,thedrivecollected essentialitemsthatwerethendeliveredtothe NICU.Thesegenerousdonationswillbe assembledintocarebagsforinfants transitioningtoorphanagesorfostercare, offeringcomfortandsupportduringtheearliest stagesoftheirlives.Aheartfeltthankyouto everyonewhocontributedandhelpedmake thisinitiativeasuccess!
TeamIMPACTwithWomen’sLacrosseTeam
TheWomen’sLacrosseTeam,ledbygraduatestudentBrookeLynch,workedwithTeamIMPACTthis pastyear.TeamIMPACTisanationalnonprofitorganizationthatpartnerscollegeprogramswithchildren withseveredisabilities.NinaCroom,theTeamIMPACThonorrecipient,hadthegameagainstCatholic UniversityinAprildedicatedtoher.Sheis15yearsoldandwasbornwithRubenstein-TaybiSyndrome. Ninaservedasaninspirationandmotivationtotheteamwithherupliftingattitudeandwasanincredible opportunitytoexperience.Student-athletesinvolvedinboththeWomen’sLacrosseTeamandthe OccupationalTherapyprogramincludejuniorsMiaDinnocenzioandJessicaMcCabe,alongwithsenior BrookeLynch.
Mental Health and OT
Interprofessional Educational Event
OnMarch11th,studentsinOT322 workedincollaborationwithover100 studentsfromcounseling,nursing,and healthcareadministration.Students workedthroughacasestudyandwere abletopracticecommunicationamong healthcareprofessions
Mental Health First Aid Training
ThroughtheNortheastRegionPAof NationalAllianceonMentalIllness (NAMI)30studentsand2facultyrecently completedYouthMentalHealthFirstAid (YMHFA)certification.Theclass providedthemeducationandpracticieof skillsusedtorecognizeandrespondto situationsofmentalhealthcrisis.
Aging and Your Eyes- Dr. Nastasi
OurveryownDr.JulieNastasiwentontheWVIA’sKeystoneEdition-Healthtodiscussthe University’svisionclinic.Ourvisionclinichasbeenaroundforaboutadecadeandserves olderadultswithmaculardegeneration,glaucoma,cataracts,anddiabeticretinopathyforfree. Dr.Nastasiconductsevaluationsandprovidesinterventionstohelpindividualsmaintain independenceindailyactivitieslikereading,writing,andcooking.Highlightingthe importanceofindependenceandautonomyforall.SoproudofDr.Nastasi!
Hawaii Fieldwork Update
Kauai Level I Fieldwork Update
TheOTDepartmentwillbegoingbacktoKauai,Hawaiifor anotherPhysicalRehabilitationFieldworkLevelIrotation.Four seniorstudentsand4graduatestudentswillbeattendingalongside Dr.CourtneyLanciaandDr.LisaKozdenfromJanuary8thto 17th,2026.Seniorstudentswillbecompletingtheirfieldwork alongsidehealthcareworkersinthebeautifulKauai.Follow kauai_ot26onInstagramtokeepupwithfuturefundraising opportunitiestoassistinthecostofthistrip,suchas:t-shirtsales, bakesales,andcollaborationswithlocalorganizations.
Dominican Republic Fieldwork Update
ThedepartmentwillbehostinganothertriptotheDominican RepublicforseniorscompletingtheirlevelIfieldworkinphysical rehabilitationwithCambiandoVidas.14seniorstudentswillbe attendingandchaperonedbyDr.ChandraNealonandDr. DeborahBudashfromJanuary3rdto10th,2026.Thisgroupof studentswillbehostingsomepotentialfundraiserstodetertrip costsincludingScrantaconsweatshirts,bakesales,sportsevents, rafflesforgiftcards,etc.Additionally,JoseAbreu,founderof CambiandoVidas,visitedcampusinlateApril.Beonthelookout formoredetailstocomeaboutthistripandtheirfundraising!
Community Based Learning Experience
CLASS OF 2025 CLASS OF 2026
Thissemester,seniorstudentscompletedtheir CBLwithinAdulthoodandAging.Somestudents spenttimewitholderadultsattheWebsterand AmosTowersprovidingeducationonsafe stretchingtechniquesandsharingtokenitems fromtheirlifeasawalkdownmemorylane. Othershelpedalocalolderadultwithdisabilities puttogetheraSuperBowlpartyforher friends.Otherscompletedinstallationsoflowtech homemodificationswithinthehomesofolder adultsinthecommunity.
CLASS OF 2027
Sophomorestudentscompletedtheirneuroanatomy
CBLatthePineBrookeartsfestivalwheregroups ofstudentscreatedartsandcraftactivitieswhich engagedinneurologicalconceptslearned throughoutthesemester.Theseprojectsincluded makingsensoryaquariums,fingerpainting,and creatingfidgetsticks.
Thissemester,juniorstudentspartneredwithNew RootsRecoveryandSupportCenterfortheirCBL projectaspartoftheirMentalHealthcourse.Each studentgroupfocusedonaspecificcountyinthe NortheasternPAregion,gatheringawiderangeof resourcesaimedatpromotingsobrietyandenhancing overallhealthandwell-being.Thestudentsresearched andcompiledinformationongovernmentservices, healthcareproviders,transportationoptions,leisure activities,andvarioussupportprogramstohelpmeet theneedsofindividualsinrecoveryandbetterservethe community.
STUDENTS IN OT 423 CREATE AND TASTE TEST MUG RECIPES
Whats Happening in Leahy Hall...
STUDENTS IN RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP (OTD) PARTICIPATED IN RESEARCH DAY
JUNIORS IN OT322L DECORATED POTS AND PLANTED FLOWERS FOR LEISURE
A Recap of the OT Program's Success:
OTD Update
TheOccupationalTherapyDoctorate (OTD)programhasofficiallybeengranted Pre-AccreditationstatusbyACOTE an excitingmilestoneonthepathtowardfull accreditation,whichisanticipatedthisfall. InterestinourOTDtrackcontinuesto grow,aswerecentlycompletedanother successfulroundofapplicationsand acceptancesfortheClassof2026.
NBCOT Exam Success
We’reexcitedtoannouncethattheClass of2024achievedafirst-timeNBCOT passratewellabovethenationalaverage atestamenttotheirhardworkand dedication!
Graduating class
Weareproudtocelebratethe incredibleachievementsofthe OccupationalTherapyClassof2025! Thisyear,9studentswillcontinue theirjourneybyadvancingtothe OTDprogram,while40studentswill graduatewiththeirMaster’sin OccupationalTherapy.The commencementceremonywilltake placeonMay18,2025. Congratulationstoallofourgraduates —wecan’twaittoseetheamazing impactyou’llmakeinthefieldof occupationaltherapy!
Class of 2029
TheincomingOccupationalTherapyClass of2029isoneofthelargestwe'veseenin recentyears.We’reexcitedtowelcomethis growinggroupoffutureoccupational therapiststoourcommunity
OT Advocacy In The Community
TheUniversity’sUltimateFrisbeeTeamhostedamemorial fundraisertournament,"LayoutforLuke,"inhonorof LukeHarvan,thelatebrotherofaScrantonalum.This annualeventraisesfundsandawarenessforindividuals livingwithautism,supportingtheAutismCares Foundation.
ElectricCityScrantonUltimateFrisbee,ledbyPresident AngelinaWarren(OTS),playedakeyroleinorganizing thetournament.SeveralmembersoftheOccupational Therapy(OT)programalsocontributedtotheevent’s success,includingAllieLerro,MimiRosinski,Lyss Malanga,JocelynKugler,SarahSullivan,andConnor Budney,whohelpedadvocateforthisimportantcause.
FromApril10th-12thLivaPerformingArtsputtheirspringshowJosephandtheAmazingTechnicolorDreamcoaton stage.Asalways,OTstudentshadalargeimpactontheproductionandheldrolesrangingfromthestarsoftheshowto crewmembers.InthiscolorfulshowaboutJacobandhissonsfromthebible,seniorMacyHammondplayedanarrator forherlastroleinthecompany,whilejuniorLilyGuidettistarredasthePharaoh.TheensemblefeaturedseniorEmily Welborn,juniorCaitlinMannionandfirstyearKimberlyLane.Onthetechside,seniorsLilaNaccariandAndrea Herraracontrolledthespotlightsandlightingtohelpbringtheshowtolife.SophomoresErinAdomilli,AnnaTrout, andDaniellaMcCathyalongwithfirstyearKaitlinMcElduffalsoworkedbehindthescenes.
LandmarkConferenceChampions! IntercollegiateBandFestival LIVAArtsCompany
SeniorOTstudent,DanielleFernandezwasselectedtoparticipateandperforminthe77 annualPennsylvania IntercollegiateBandFestivalthisMarch.Daniwasabletoshowcasehermusicaltalentsplayingtheflute, alongsidestudentsrepresentingseveralotheruniversitiesacrossthestate.Danidescribesperformingmusicin bandasanimportantoccupationtoherbecauseithelpsreducestressandallowshertomeetotherindividuals withthesamepassionformusic.CongratulationsDani!
LandmarkChampionships
Women’sLacrosse
ScrantonWomen’sLacrossebecameLandmarkChamps thisSatuday(May3)afterdefeatingCatholicUniversity 16-62inthechampionshipround.Theteamearneda bidtotheNCAAtournamentwiththisvictory! CongatulationstoSeniorOTBrookeLynchaswellas JuniorOT’sMiaDinnocenzioandJessicaMcCabeand therestoftheladyroyals!
Women’sTennis
ScrantonWomen’sTennisbecameLandmark ChampsthisSunday(May4)afterdefeating MoravianUniversity4-2inthechampionship round.TheteamearnedabidtotheNCAA tournamentwiththisvictory!Congatulationsto SeniorOTJuliaNocentinoandtherestofthe team! th
ThissemesterthemembersofGoBabyGoworkedonmodifyingthesetoycarrides for9childrenintheScrantonarea.Theyhostedtheirsecondannualcommunityday eventthispastSunday!Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningthisamazingorganization contactKaitlynGelmanatkaitlyn.gelman@scranton.edu!
Summer 2025 Field Work
Thissummer,49third-yearOTstudentswillbeheadingoutontheirLevelImental healthfieldworkrotations.StudentshavebeenplacedinCT,MD,PA,NJ,NY,RI,and TXinsettingsincluding:equinetherapy,psychiatrichospitals,adultdayhabilitation programs,psychiatricrehabilitationprograms,long-termcarefacilities,andsubstance userecoverysupportprograms.
Nearly90fourth-andfifth-yearstudentsarealsoheadingoutontheirrespectivefirst andsecondLevelIIfieldworkrotationsthissummer,withafewmoregoingoutinthe Fall!Practicesettingsincludepediatrichospitals/NICU,pediatricoutpatientclinics, acutecare/ICU,hand/UErehabilitationclinics,specializedschools,pediatricsummer camps,inpatient,outpatient,andcommunity-basedpsychiatriccare,inpatientphysical andneurorehabilitation,andhomecare.
AhugevarietyofLevelIIsitesarehostingstudentsthissummer,includinglarger healthcaresystemssuchasCHOP,Children’sSpecializedHospital,NYULangone Health,CooperUniversityHospital,NorthwellHealth,GaylordSpecialtyHealthcare, WestchesterMedicalCenter,InovaMt.Vernon,KesslerRehabilitation,LehighValley HealthNetwork,St.Luke’sHealthNetwork,UpstateUniversityMedicalCenter,Penn Medicine,andNewYorkPresbyterianHospitals.OtherequallyvaluableLevelII fieldworksitesincludeDanburyHospital,SunnyDaysSunshineCenter,St.Mary’s HospitalforChildren,FoxRehabilitation,IntensiveTherapeutics,ClarksSummitState Hospital,UniversalInstitute,PennStateHealth,IvyRehabforKids,andmanyothers! Wewouldberemissifwedidn’textendaRoyalThankYoutoouresteemedalumni whograciouslygivebacktotheOTprofessionbysupervisingandtrainingLevelIand LevelIIfieldworkstudents!StudentsplacedatChristianaCare,RWJTrinitasRegional MedicalCenter,ProjectRenewal,Geisinger,BrynMawrRehabilitationHospital,Spear PT,InternationalInstitutefortheBrain,GoodShepherdPennPartners,andVoorhees PediatricFacilitywillbelearningundertheskilledwingsofgraduatesofScranton‘s OTprogram.WewanttothankALLofourclinicalpartnersforthesupportthey providetoourLevelIandLevelIIOTstudents! GoodlucktoallofourOTstudentsheadingtofieldworkthissummer–
Scranton Supports Service Dogs
SpringFling
The University of Scranton Service Dogs committee celebrated their culminating event, “Spring Fling”. The event included dancing, raffle baskets, speeches, and overall, a ton of fun! Co-chairs Nicole Kenny and Kelly McGovern led the group of graduate OT students throughout the entire 2024 –2025 academic year in fundraising for Detective Kyle Gilmartin to receive a service dog. The committee was able to fundraise over $18,000 with the help of friends, family, and the Scranton community. The event hosted in the Radisson of Scranton was a huge success, and a perfect end to a year’s worth of hard work! Congratulations to the Service Dogs team including Annette Johnson and Erin Fowler (Community Outreach Coordinators), Kathleen Appau (Treasurer), Kathleen Holdsworth (Secretary), Michelle Kong (Marketing/Social Media Chair) and committee members, Aubrey Skolny, Grace Kane, Brooke Lynch, Emily Byrne, and Emily Umstadt. We are so proud of these OT graduates and are thrilled for Detective Gilmartin and his family.
A NOTE FROM OUR FACULTY MENTOR, DR. DEBORAH BUDASH
ThreeyearsagowelaunchedtheScrantonontheSpOTnewsletter.Theideawasaresultof aresearchstudymythen-graduateresearchgroupconductedexploringtheresilienceofOT studentsduringthedistanceandmodifiedlearningexperiencesassociatedwiththeCOVID 19pandemic.OneofthethingswelearnedwasthatOTstudentsdidnotfeelasconnectedto theOTDepartment,andtoaddressthisconcern,thenewsletterideawasborn.Itwas developedtoconnectOTstudents,alumni,facultyandstaff,andtofostercontinuedgrowth ofourScrantonOTcommunity.Thenewsletterhasalsoservedasacommonplaceforallof ourOTcommunitytosharethemanygoodworksthatwedoandtheimpactwemake together.
WhenImadeacallforvolunteerstobeonthenewslettercommittee,fivestudentscame forward:EmilyUmstadt,KellyMcGovern,NatalieWard,ErinFowler,andJuliaDorioand becameourinauguralcommittee.Theirwork,enthusiasm,andcreativityhasmadethe newslettermorethanIimagined.Ittrulyhasbeenbetterwitheachedition!Asmostofthis wonderfulgroupofstudentsareabouttomoveonfromtheUniversity,Iwanttoexpressmy thankstoeachofthemandsharewhatajoyithasbeentoworkwithallofyou.Ialsowishto extendaspecialhonorablementiontoKellyMcGovern,ourfirstAssociateEditor,andher unflappablenature–Ihavesenthermanystoryideasrightaroundourdeadlineandshehas
Toallofyou,Iextendmybestwishesforeverysuccess.Asourfirstnewslettercommittee, partofyourUniversityofScrantonlegacyisthisnewsletterandtheconnectionsithas
NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE:
GraduateStudents
KellyMcGovern
ErinFowler
EmilyUmstadt
NatalieWard
SeniorStudents
SofiaBredice
JuliaDiorio
AbigailGillen
EmmaWinter
JuniorStudents
JuliaDowning
EmilyKane
EmilyMurphy
SophomoreStudents ErinAdomilli
RebekahThompson
FirstYearStudents JaydaEike
JULIA DOWNING, ASSOCIATE EDITOR- JUNIOR OT STUDENT DR. DEBORAH BUDASH, FACULTY MENTOR, EDITOR
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES:
Students
