OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Graduated in 1999          

Q: What inspired you to pursue OT?

A: I took a health careers class in high school that introduced me to Occupational Therapy, and I loved it right away. I wanted a dynamic career where I would constantly be learning and interacting with people, and Occupational Therapy was perfect for me!

Q: Who were your most memorable intsructors?

A: There are two professors who impacted me most. Dr. Cathy Lysack: She was incredibly patient and kind, and I always left her class having learned something new. And Dr. Doreen Head: She was also kind and patient and treated us like equals. She encouraged us to fill a file box with activities and information, and I still have that box filled with great ideas.

Q: What was your most challenging class?

A: My most challenging class was Pathophysiology. We had to take it with the Nursing students. It was very difficult! There were so many things to remember about all the body systems and everything that could go wrong in them.

Q: Share some reflections about your time at Wayne State:

A: I had a great college experience at WSU. The classes were interesting, the professors were excellent, and I learned a lot about life and people in my years there. It's a great school!

Q: In your opinion, what is one of the biggest changes that has occurred in your profession since graduating?

A: The biggest changes in health care are related to insurance coverage. With every year, lengths of stay get shorter, and it seems we have less time to try to accomplish more care for patients. It's stressful for health care workers and for patients, and it makes it harder to be a patient advocate when there is so little time to build rapport.

Q: Share a career highlight or summary:

A: I have worked in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility, NICU and outpatient rehabilitation. Every time I was given the opportunity to try something new, it was a career highlight! Next to working with a diverse population of patients, being able to try new things is the best part of being an occupational therapist!

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An occupational therapist helps patients engage in everyday activities that are important to them, using a variety of productive and creative activities. Learn more about the WSU Applebaum Occupational Therapy program by attending a college information meeting, held for prospective students at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels – from undergraduates to veteran faculty members – translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 24,000 students.