Morgan is a student at VCU. She has demonstrated extraordinary academic achievements and scholarship, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA through her first year in our rigorous program. This is a testament to her intellectual capabilities, diligent work ethic, and commitment to excellence. Her performance in coursework and exams consistently reflects a deep understanding of the material and an ability to apply knowledge effectively. Beyond her academic achievements, Morgan has exhibited remarkable leadership and a strong sense of community. As a co-chair of the Student Representative to the Admissions and Recruitment Committee, she has been instrumental in shaping our program's engagement with prospective students. Her responsibilities include conducting tours, directing interviewees, leading faux interviews, and creating welcoming platforms on social media for new students. These initiatives have significantly enhanced the experience for incoming cohorts, fostering a supportive and informative environment. Her work has been so impactful that we hired her as an Admissions Assistant to support these endeavors. A primary aspect of her work is recruitment and retainment of diverse individuals, as this is a priority of our university, as well as the state and national association. Morgan has shown an unwavering commitment to volunteerism and community service. Her involvement with the YMCA’s learning program on Saturday mornings highlights her dedication to giving back and supporting educational initiatives. She has also volunteers with Sportable, volunteering at the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships as well as at their weekly pickleball sessions. In her role as the fundraising chair for Phi Theta Epsilon (PTE), Morgan is poised to further contribute to our community through innovative fundraising efforts starting this fall. Her proactive approach in organizing social events, such as the open house social, underscores her ability to bring people together and create meaningful connections among   across different years. In the future, she wants to work in the community, although currently has interest in both adult and pediatric practice. 

Ashley is a student at VCU. She  is a true academic standout. She demonstrates an unwavering dedication to excellence in rigorous occupational therapy program, completing the first year of the program with a 4.0 GPA. Her commitment to her studies and intellectual growth is truly commendable. 

Beyond her academic achievements, Ashley has demonstrated exceptional leadership. Her experience in caregiving for her father with ALS, highlights her resilience and ability to take on significant responsibilities. Ashley cared for her father while simultaneously supporting her mother and other siblings while going through this difficult time. She has taken on the role as a dialogue facilitator, leading members on different social responsibility topics several times a year. Her ability to manage these demanding roles with grace and compassion speaks to her potential to lead and inspire others. She is demonstrating her leadership potential in our program and the profession by starting our dual degree OTD-PhD program, in which she will begin her research career this upcoming academic year, taking courses in the PhD program while working on her entry-level occupational therapy doctorate degree. 

Ashley has consistently been engaged in meaningful community service. Her involvement with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and her efforts with her sorority, including writing letters to nursing home residents and assembling care packages for service members, exemplify her commitment to giving back. Her values of intentionality, love, compassion, and trust are not mere words but are reflected in her actions, making her a reliable and compassionate contributor to the community.

In the future, she hopes to practice clinically alongside conducting research. She sees herself recognizing issues presented in practice and diving deeper into them as needed. Long term, she hopes to transition into a professor role and aid in the development of the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners.

Claire is a student at Tidewater Community College.  She has demonstrated numerous characteristics and personality traits that embody the qualities of an occupational therapy assistant student. She has been engaged in all course material presented and demonstrated active learning throughout the classroom. She has had a thirst for knowledge and has grown in her therapeutic skills during classroom activities and lab check-offs. She consistently communicates professionally and thoroughly through written and oral mediums. Her passion and motivation to further her understanding of the field of occupational therapy has contributed to her success as a student by consistently seeking out learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. She actively collaborates with classmates and community members to maximize learning opportunities while demonstrating genuine care and concern for the growth of those around her. She is a creative student who strives to think outside of the box when seeking solutions for various challenges. She has grown and blossomed under the significant pressures of didactic coursework and continues to be eager to become the best student possible.

She volunteers and serves in her community through various church activities and community outreaches, including leading a middle school aged small group and volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club and the Thrive Food Pantry. She also volunteers yearly with PORT, which is an emergency winter shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

In the future, she looks forward to practicing as a clinician and also wants to pursue further studies, hoping to earn her OTD at a local university. 

Maya is a student at Tidewater Community College. From an early age, being a nurturer has been a core part of her identity. After graduating from high school, she became a Behavioral Therapist, earning her Registered Behavioral Technician certification to assist children on the autism spectrum. This experience inspired her to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), where she aims to enhance clients' quality of life by developing essential everyday skills.

As an OTA student, she has demonstrated numerous characteristics that embody the qualities of an exemplary assistant. She engages deeply with course material, showing a thirst for knowledge and growth in her therapeutic skills during classroom activities and lab check-offs. She consistently communicates professionally and thoroughly through both written and oral mediums.

Her passion and motivation to further her understanding of occupational therapy contribute significantly to her success. She actively seeks learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom and has demonstrated leadership and collaboration as President of the Tidewater Community College Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA). In this role, she coordinates meetings, volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, and community events, while collaborating with classmates and community members to maximize learning opportunities. Her creativity enables her to think outside the box when seeking solutions to various challenges.

She has flourished under the pressures of rigorous coursework and remains eager to become the best occupational therapy practitioner possible. Her future goal as an OTA is to become an expert in her field, working alongside an occupational therapist to creatively help clients engage in meaningful activities. She recognizes the importance of continuing education in a constantly evolving healthcare landscape.

Allison is the program director at Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences, where she has been on faculty since 2013. She has extensive practice experience in adult neurological rehabilitation, both in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. She has been a member of a research team to develop an occupation-based virtual reality system that is now commercially available. She has published a number of articles on the outcomes of using virtual reality among individuals with stroke. Additionally, she has published and presented nationally on topics including the use of online journal clubs to educate and support fieldwork educators, processes and outcomes of the entry-level OTD doctoral experiential component, and faculty development and support.

 She is someone who draws others to her at VOTA social events, school / student related events and in her scholarly materials. In her role within VOTA’s Adult Communities of Practice group, her expertise and calm demeanor draws others in by helping them feel included, engaged, and supported. In April of 2021, she developed the COP with a clear and organized structure, short- and long-term goals, outside of the box evidence-based topics, and guided discussions. On top of juggling CoP, teaching, managing staff, research to stay abreast of EBP, she still engages in active clinical practice.  This shows her level of dedication to the patients, her own license, professionalism, duty to healthcare, staffing, awareness of what leaders need, and staying abreast of the workforce for leading staff and students into success. Her peers speak about her incredibly highly. In her role at Murphy Deming, she ensures that 100% of Murphy Deming OT students are VOTA members. During VOTA conferences the poster presentations and sessions that are provided by MDCHS are impressive. During conferences, she is often seen surrounded by students who clearly respect and admire her. Her scholarly knowledge, social grace, and humorous engagement is a powerful combination that draws others to her. She is a dedicated, passionate and hard working person who serves the OT profession as a whole!

Lindsey is an occupational therapist, Vice President of VOTA, small-business owner, and contractor with Link OT and Consulting. She currently works full time at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children and VCU Health. Lindsey excels in not only her role as an OT, but in engaging all disciplines within her acute hospital. She is an active collaborator both within and outside of the organization. She serves on multiple committees within the health system and is outspoken in her advocacy for all of the patients that she comes in contact with. She currently serves as the Vice President for the VOTA, while also providing outpatient group and individual OT therapy, while utilizing a DBT informed lens. She serves as the primary preceptor for all OTD and MOT students at VTCC and has been integral in applying for, planning, and obtaining grants to allow for more sensory input and patient support within the hospital. She is constantly reviewing research to remain culturally and therapeutically competent and informed within her role, while also engaging in her own research to further the efficacy and impact of occupational therapy within its relation to mental health. She is incredibly driven and has received more awards and nominations than any other occupational therapist practicing at VTCC, most notably being recently awarded the coveted Bella Sood Service Award, from which she was chosen and nominated from among 12,000 employees currently employed at VCU Health. She is an incredible asset to her team and is a shining example of what an Occupational Therapist should be. She performs all of her duties to the fullest and with integrity, all while remaining grounded and focused on bettering the treatment and outcome of the patients she works with.