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Occupational Therapy Newsletter

Summer 2024

Message from the Chair

This time of year, is transformative as we reflect on the successes and challenges of the previous year, identify strategies to enhance the recruitment and retention of students, and finalize plans for the start of the new academic year. While engaged in this hectic yet exciting time, I’m happy to share the Summer 2024 edition of the Jefferson Department of Occupational Therapy Newsletter!

In our summer newsletter, we feature an inspiring alumni story written by a current MSOT-CC student, introduce new faculty, share students’ experiences, and highlight a new task force focused on advancing DEI initiatives. Along with the faculty and staff in the Department of Occupational Therapy, I celebrate the spirit of collaboration and dedication that defines our department and look forward to a rewarding and meaningful academic year.

Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy

Feature Story

Fatima Adamu-Good, MS, OTR/L, CHT (MSOT-CC 2018)

by Emily Hale (MSOT-CC 2025)

Fatima Adamu-Good’s journey to becoming an occupational therapist was not a clear-cut path. This article describes how her education, interests, work and life experiences led her to pursue a career in occupational therapy. Fatima received a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Urban Studies from Temple University. After graduating, she accepted a job as a city planner and quantitative analyst with the Center City District of Philadelphia, part of the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation. In this position, Fatima conducted historical research, performed data analysis and tracked retail, commercial and residential development. Her experience as a city planner encouraged her to think about all the “moving parts” that must work together to support the day-to-day function of a city.

Fatima’s plan was to obtain a master’s degree in urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania, but she decided to take a break before starting graduate school as she was starting to feel burnt out in the career path she was following. During this break, when Fatima was taking yoga classes, her teacher suggested she consider becoming a yoga instructor. Fatima acted on this suggestion and traveled to Seattle, WA, to learn from Ana Forrest, a yoga instructor who specializes in adapting yoga for people with injuries and notably starts each yoga class with hand, finger and wrist stretches.

This yoga instructor was skilled in meeting the needs of a wide spectrum of abilities in yoga classes. Through this experience, Fatima learned how to make yoga a more accessible practice for all bodies. Fatima returned to Philadelphia and began teaching classes at a yoga studio when a physical therapist recommended that she interview for a yoga teaching position focused on people with amputations, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Although daunting, Fatima decided she was up for this challenge of making the practice of yoga accessible to a new population.

With little medical background at the time, Fatima took the time to research the diagnoses of each person in her classes so that she could adapt poses to their abilities. She felt that she was teaching multiple classes in one as the poses were adapted to each participant in the class. Fatima shared that this “was a crash course in adapting interventions to a wide range of populations.” Her experience teaching yoga to people with disabilities foreshadowed her eventual career in occupational therapy. Shortly after obtaining a yoga teaching certification, Fatima became a personal trainer as her interest in bodies grew. Learning more about the fields of occupational therapy and physical therapy in these roles, Fatima found that occupational therapy was more in line with what she was already doing in her yoga practice. She started by taking prerequisite courses at the Community College of Philadelphia and then applied and was accepted into the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Thomas Jefferson University.

At Jefferson, Fatima became extremely interested in hand therapy, which she learned about in the first semester of the Anatomy and Kinesiology course. With an interest in upper extremity rehabilitation in mind, Fatima completed both a Level I and Level II Fieldwork placement in hand therapy; however, her journey to becoming a Certified Hand Therapist involved a few twists and turns. After graduating, Fatima worked as an occupational therapist in pediatrics and moved to geriatric rehabilitation, working through the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress of potentially exposing her family to COVID and the grief she experienced for her patients who passed away during this time led Fatima back to a pediatric setting in which she was treating her patients virtually. After about six months, Fatima found her way to hand therapy. She began by working as a PRN hand therapist in two different practices that eventually led to a full-time hand therapist position at the Rothman Orthopedic Institute, where she has been working for the past three years.

Through her experience as a yoga instructor and a personal trainer earlier on, Fatima learned the importance of utilizing the whole body in therapy. She sees this phenomenon in her work as a hand therapist as she has repeatedly witnessed that the patients who have the best outcomes are those who incorporate their entire body into their treatment. This knowledge and experience led Fatima to develop specialized workshops. In January of this year, she presented an injury prevention workshop for classical musicians at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. For this workshop, Fatima analyzed the muscle groups used for each instrument type. To capture the interest of the participants and provide information in a variety of ways, Fatima created illustrations (see below) of hand and arm positioning for different instruments that showed the specific muscle groups. Examples of her illustrations are below. Fatima also presented an injury prevention workshop for video gamers in May of this year at Fan Expo Philadelphia.

Fatima consistently draws on the tenets of occupational therapy and says she uses the process of activity analysis every single day. Across her social media pages, Fatima has a huge presence. She shares her illustrations and videos about upper extremity and hand function during various activities such as pickleball and biking. She actively shares tips for hand health on her TikTok page. In 2020, Fatima was added as an adjunct faculty member at Thomas Jefferson University. She teaches in both the East Falls and Center City occupational therapy programs, assisting with orthosis fabrication labs and lecturing on hand therapy. Of immense value to students, Fatima presents an annual lecture on racial bias and clinical practice based on the social determinants of health. Most recently, with a focus on expanding her education, Fatima began the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Jefferson.

When asked about the advice she would offer current occupational therapy students, Fatima draws on her experiences. As exemplified in her innovative gamer and musician workshops that apply occupational therapy knowledge within distinct and unique areas, she recommends that students “listen to what speaks to them, even if it's unconventional.” She encourages students to “be open to incorporating their interests into future occupational therapy practice.”

Any further questions can be directed to Fatima via:

Meet our New Department Members

Natasha Chandra, OTD, OTR/L, LSVT-BIG (She/Her)

Dr. Natasha Chandra joined the Department in October 2023 as an assistant professor. She holds a unique dual role as a faculty member in both the MSOT and ASOT programs on the East Falls Campus. As someone who likes to get involved, she immediately served as a faculty volunteer with the Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education (JCIPE) and received a recognition award for her role as a group facilitator.

Dr. Chandra tailors her research and clinical interests to enhance mental well-being and quality of life for various populations and conditions. Previous publications and clinical endeavors have focused on improving travel protocols for ventricular assist device patients, providing Reiki sessions for end-of-life and acute injury care, incorporating education and accessibility to LSVT BIG programs, and promoting healthy aging in various older adult settings. Her doctoral thesis involved designing affordable and accessible mental health supports for graduate students. She will continue her research on mental well-being, career readiness and student success in the academic setting.

Dr. Chandra says the best part of her job is “seeing my students grow – there are often moments where I look at my students’ faces and randomly, in the middle of a lecture or a group discussion, something clicks in their brains, and their eyes get wide, and they smile. And at that moment, I know they are now one step closer to being an amazing practitioner!”

Her advice to students: “Give yourself grace – you are juggling so much and doing an absolutely amazing job. We are here for you, so please reach out to [faculty and staff] for anything.”

On a personal note, Dr. Chandra was born on Leap Day! So, she has a birthday every four years.

Annie Kozicki, COTA/L (ASOT 2013) She/Her

Annie Kozicki joined the Department in December 2023 as OTA education coordinator and teaching associate. Annie received her Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University) in 2013 and has served as a lab assistant, teaching assistant, clinical preceptor and adjunct instructor since 2014.

In her full-time position, her main role revolves around teaching a variety of courses, including history, occupations, psychology and writing. In addition, she serves as the advisor for the ASOT Student Occupational Therapy Association. Annie also serves on the Jefferson Wellbeing Committee. Her current areas of research include projects related to OT/OTA collaboration, addressing professional behaviors and supporting student wellness.

The favorite part of her job is “building connections with the students. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness and support student growth as they progress throughout the program and beyond!”

Her advice to students is: “Trust in yourself and the innate gifts that you bring to the table. You all have different paths that have led you to this profession and different paths that you will take in the future, but you each have something unique to offer to your classmates and to your future clients. Shine your light, you got this!”

On a personal note, Annie has trained and taken courses in a wide variety of things outside of occupational therapy, including reiki, yoga, postpartum doula, herbalism, and more. She received her 200-hour yoga teacher training certification in May!

Department Updates

JEDI Task Force

In July 2023, in alignment with its diversity and inclusion strategic plan goals, created a department-wide JEDI Task Force. The Task Force comprises volunteer faculty members Namrata Grampurohit, Christyn Mitchell, Amanda Parezo, Marie-Christine Potvin, Lady Rios-Vega and Pamela Talero.

The Task Force serves an advisory role to the chair and program directors in identifying and moving forward JEDI initiatives within the department. In its inaugural year, the Task Force developed a method to track the degree of diversity of our student body to ascertain the efficacy of our efforts, developed a partnership with Jefferson’s COTAD chapter, and performed a SWOT analysis with faculty.

Two tangible outcomes of the Task Force's efforts include:

1. The creation of the Department’s Commitment to Equity Statement, now on our home page.

Committment to Equity Statement

We strive to recognize the inherent value of diversity in human experiences, backgrounds and perspectives. Our department is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that embraces individuals from all walks of life. We believe that acknowledging, sharing and respecting diverse identities enriches our understanding of occupations and enhances our ability to provide effective education, services and scholarship, contributing to the holistic well-being of all students, clients and practitioners. We promote equitable freedom of choice and access to meaningful participation in occupations and contribute positively to the overall betterment of society.

In alignment with our department’s philosophy, we aim to foster diversity, equity, justice and social inclusion in all aspects of professional lives. We are committed to creating an inclusive and culturally sensitive learning environment that values and respects the diverse identities of our faculty, students, clients and communities. This commitment extends to educating our students in these practices in the classroom and through experiential learning. We intend to be change agents in diversifying the occupational therapy workforce and addressing disparities in access to and participation in occupations, ensuring that all humans can fully engage in and benefit from the transformative power of occupational therapy.

2. The creation of the DEIJAB+ Digest, which launched in May 2024. This digest is an initiative crafted to enrich faculty and staff by sharing valuable resources and insights related to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, accessibility and belonging (DEIJAB+). In the Digest, the Taskforce provides links to resources, articles, podcasts, educational opportunities and more each month during the monthly department meeting. Our goal is to foster an environment of learning and growth; we are eager to have everyone engage with the content.

Starting with this Summer Edition, the Department’s newsletter will now include the DEIJAB+ Digest. We hope the information is valuable. Please share with others!

Meet our Students

Ghadah Alharthi (MSOT-EF 2025)

Ghadah Alharthi is a third-year MSOT student who just began her Level II Fieldwork in July 2024. Below she shares her path to occupational therapy at Thomas Jefferson University and her amazing experience as an occupational therapy student.

Why did you choose Jefferson?

I have a deep and personal connection with Thomas Jefferson University. My first encounter with this institution was when my family traveled all the way from Saudi Arabia to the United States for my father's cancer treatment at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

As a child, I witnessed the phenomenal impact healthcare professionals had on my father and family. The compassion, dedication and expertise they exhibited left a lasting impression on me. It was then that I knew I wanted to be a part of health care to make such a profound difference in the lives of others.

Many of those healthcare professionals were graduates of Jefferson, and some of the notable traits they all shared were their excellent communication skills and deep empathy. These qualities were absolutely essential in providing comfort and support to us during that incredibly tough time.

Fast forward many years, I returned to the U.S. to further my education and pursue my academic and professional goals. One of the universities covered by my sponsor was Thomas Jefferson University. As soon as I saw the school's name, all the memories from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital came flooding back, along with the exceptional care the healthcare team provided. It reminded me of the hope and support we received during those challenging times.

Through my experiences, I noticed the remarkable outcomes achieved by Jefferson alumni. Their success stories, professional achievements and the difference they made in patients' lives reaffirmed my decision. Hence, Jefferson was the first school I applied to as I aspired to follow in the footsteps of those inspiring healthcare professionals.

Why do you want to be an occupational therapist?

As I mentioned above, my interest in healthcare professions and helping others stemmed from my personal experiences. However, I was uncertain about which profession to pursue. To find my true calling, I attended a workshop in my home country, Saudi Arabia, that explored various healthcare professions. This workshop was a pivotal moment for me as it provided insights into the diverse roles within the healthcare sector. Occupational therapy stood[PM1]  out to me the most because it addresses physical, psychological and social aspects. This holistic approach resonated with me deeply.

The holistic approach of occupational therapy was exactly what I wanted to follow. It integrates physical rehabilitation, mental health support and social engagement, which I believe are all essential for improving the overall well-being of individuals. Covering multiple factors is crucial to improving the quality of life and independence of individuals. The ability to make a tangible positive impact on someone's daily life was what drew me to occupational therapy.

What is the best part of your educational experience?

The instructors and faculty are one of the best parts of my educational experience at Thomas Jefferson University. During my journey, I faced tough times, and my instructors, as well as the faculty, provided me with the necessary resources and support. They are very understanding and compassionate—always willing to go the extra mile to ensure their students succeed. Despite the difficulty of graduate school, the instructors were always there to help by offering guidance, encouragement and practical assistance.

Another highlight of my educational experience is the various exposures and opportunities I might not have encountered otherwise. One such opportunity was collaborating with industrial design students, where we engaged in an innovative project that combined health care and design thinking to create a device that aimed to improve the functional ability and engagement of our clients. This interdisciplinary collaboration broadened my perspective and allowed me to appreciate the importance of integrating different fields to create comprehensive client-centered solutions.

What activities have you been involved in at Jefferson?

There are various activities that the school provides, ranging from educational opportunities to enjoyable experiences. One of the activities that I engaged in at Jefferson was the East Falls Campus screenings event, which was an eye-opening and rewarding experience. It allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, interact with diverse individuals and contribute to the community's well-being.

In addition, during my first year in Philadelphia, I participated in several outings to explore the city. These outings were a valuable experience that allowed me to learn more about the culture and history of Philadelphia, which broadened my understanding beyond the academic setting.

What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?

Something that may be surprising is that I completed my second Level I Fieldwork placement at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where my father had been treated 15 years earlier. My Fieldwork educator at the time oversaw several floors, including the unit where my father received care. During my placement, I interacted with a patient in the same room where my father was cared for as well. This experience was incredibly emotional and surreal for me. My family and friends were astonished when I shared this with them because none of us ever imagined that I would study abroad, visit the U.S. again, and end up in the very same place. This full-circle moment reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact in the healthcare field, just as those healthcare professionals did for my family.

A Student’s Experience at Project Home Hub of Hope

by Alissa Felmlee (OTD 2024)

Project HOME Hub of Hope

As students, we may not always receive the opportunity to see behind the scenes of our fieldwork sites. Some questions that we forget to think about and ask ourselves are: “Who’s supporting this organization to stay up and running?” “How did this site even begin?” “Do others know about these services and opportunities?”

I had the unique experience of witnessing firsthand the immense community support and generosity overflowing at Project HOME’s 35th Anniversary Gala and having these questions answered.

Seeing the tremendous number of individuals team up to embrace one common goal of breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty was not only heartwarming but powerful. As a Level II Fieldwork occupational therapy student, I felt honored to play a small role throughout the process with this extraordinary organization. The ability to work alongside unhoused members in our community at the Hub of Hope has been incredibly unique and has offered me a great deal of knowledge to use as a future practitioner.

As occupational therapists, advocating for our profession is one of the core values we strive for. Attending the Project HOME 35th Anniversary Gala opened my eyes to the impact of advocacy and having a community come together to support one another. When looking back on my journey in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program, this is a moment and experience that I truly will never forget.

Collaboration Among Our Student Occupational Therapy Associations

by Emily Hale (MSOT-CC 2025)

The Department has three established and enthusiastic Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) chapters across our Center City and East Falls Campuses!

All three SOTAs have engaged occupational therapy students in their communities throughout the academic year. Emily Hale, Center City SOTA President, Adena Bannett, East Falls MSOT SOTA President and Gabrielle Gallo, East Falls ASOT SOTA President and their respective executive boards have planned events to advocate for the profession, grow in professional development and volunteer in support of their communities.

For example:

  • In celebration of Occupational Therapy Month in April 2024, the East Falls MSOT SOTA held a bake sale and fidget giveaway to promote the profession on their campus.
  • The East Falls ASOT SOTA hosted a food drive earlier this year that benefited the West Chester Senior Center.
  • The Center City SOTA volunteered for a park cleanup at Cobbs Creek Park in West Philadelphia.

All the SOTA chapters continue to provide educational and leadership opportunities for occupational therapy students throughout the year.

Congratulations to Faculty & Staff

Congratulations to Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, who received the 2024 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship

We are excited that Dr. Roseann Schaaf will present her Eleanor Clarke Slagle lecture at the AOTA Inspire 2025 Conference and Expo, which is here in Philadelphia! The Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship is awarded to a member of AOTA who has made a unique contribution through research, teaching and/or clinical practice to the growth of the body of knowledge within the field.

Her lecture will discuss precision therapy, creating personalized occupational therapy interventions using Data-Driven Decision-Making. Dr. Schaaf will highlight our development and application of the Data-Driven Decision-Making framework as a tool to create evidence through practice for occupational therapy. She will also demonstrate how this framework was used to create evidence for occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration for autistic children, which is rated as an evidence-based intervention for autism. She will challenge the field to embrace “precision therapy” by using data to inform practice.

Congratulations to Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, who was inducted as a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in March 2024

She joins Tracey Vause Earland, PhD, OTR/L, FNAP and Stephen B. Kern, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP, who were inducted into NAP in 2023.

Congratulations to Kerri Carpenter & Courtney Specht, who received the 2023-2024 Ethel Burstein Scholarship

Both students share their experiences below:

Kerri Carpenter (MSOT-EF 2025)

“Receiving the Ethel Beard Burstein Scholarship was an incredible honor and really helped with the costs of school!”

I have been a COTA/L for 23 years and supervised a few Jefferson students on their Level I Clinical Fieldwork. I was very impressed by the students and what they had to say about the occupational therapy program at Jefferson East Falls Campus. When I was exploring the various programs in the area, Jefferson’s every other weekend MSOT program at East Falls Campus offered a convenient location and feasible schedule for my busy lifestyle as a working single mother of two children. In addition to occupational therapy, I have a diploma in American Sign Language  & Deaf Culture. Learning about research methods for evidence-based practice has been really enlightening. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work as a graduate research assistant with Dr. Rosanne Schaaf and connecting with other professionals through the Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence. I have also been contributing to research projects through the Center and will be presenting with the research team(s) at AOTA Inspire 2025 in Philadelphia!

Courtney Specht (OTD-CC 2025) (She/Her)

“The Ethel Beard Burstein Scholarship was established by a late occupational therapist with roots in Philadelphia. Burstein emphasized the importance of being a creative and innovative therapist and being resilient when faced with a challenge. I am very grateful to be selected for this award and excited to bring these traits to the occupational therapy world!”

I am a first-generation college student. I chose Jefferson because of the amazing resources and connections it had to offer. I also admired the tight-knit community of Jefferson students and faculty who support each other. The best part of my studies has been seeing all the unique settings where I can make a difference as an occupational therapist. I have enjoyed a variety of my clinical sites, such as Project HOME, an inpatient rehab facility, a school for children with learning differences and hand therapy. I have loved meeting and working with so many people along my journey.

Congratulations to Mackensie Gallant & Lauryn Jodoin, who received the 2023-2024 Fox Scholarship for the Advancement of Geriatric Occupational Therapy

Both students share their experiences below:

MacKensie Gallant (OTD-CC 2024) (She/Her)

“I found my passion for working with older adults through my experiences at Jefferson, which provided ample opportunities to work with this population in settings including a skilled nursing facility, hospital and primary care. I am honored and thankful to have received the Fox Scholarship. This scholarship motivates me to advance my career with the older adult population.”

I chose Jefferson because of its respected reputation and from discussions with alumni and other occupational therapists about the valuable education and impressive entry-level occupational therapists who are graduates from this program. The doctoral capstone during my third year was the highlight of my studies at Jefferson, where I worked closely with a faculty mentor and student developing and evaluating a health literacy training program for Jefferson’s Center for Healthy Aging, a primary care setting with older adults. While I continued to expand my clinical skills, I also gained valuable skills in leadership, advocacy and interprofessional communication that I will carry with me throughout my career.

Lauryn Jodoin (OTD-CC 2024) (She/Her)

“I can credit the honor of receiving the Fox Scholarship to the work I completed during my doctoral capstone at Jefferson’s Center for Healthy Aging as I had the opportunity to collaborate with patients, families, caregivers and providers in order to promote a holistic client-centered approach to care.”

Jefferson has one of the best occupational therapy programs nationwide and has many established connections in the area from which I knew I could learn and grow. The best part of my studies was building rapport with patients during my fieldwork experiences and getting to learn from each one of them…also going through the program with the support of my peers and creating lifelong friendships! Aligned with the Fox Scholarship, my capstone partner and I concentrated on the practice area of program development and evaluation by initiating and leading a pilot health literacy training program to promote the value of occupational therapy in a geriatric primary care setting.