Pooja Patel Inducted into National Honor Society for Occupational Therapy at USciences

2014 Oct 21

The Department of Occupational Therapy at University of the Sciences recently inducted 13 students and three faculty members into its Delta Iota chapter of the national honor society for occupational therapy - Pi Theta Epsilon, during a special ceremony held on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014.

"Academic scholarship and proven leadership abilities are just a few of the rigorous standards required for membership into this honor society," said Wendy Fox MOT'00, OTR/L, assistant professor of occupational therapy and faculty adviser of Pi Theta Epsilon. "Our inductees have demonstrated these qualities through their occupational therapy work both in and outside of the classroom."

The fall 2014 inductees included doctor of occupational therapy students Sara Hyman DrOT'16, Kelly Otchet DrOT'17, Dominique Sulit DrOT'17, and Pooja Patel DrOT'17; as well as master of occupational therapy students Calli Nagle MOT'15, Erin Kendall MOT'16, Catherine Hill MOT'16, Tara Derudder MOT'16, Marissa Barth MOT'16, Emily Bart MOT'16, Eun Kim MOT'16, Christen Morrison MOT'16, and Kimberly Hurley MOT'16. Fox, Supriya Sen, OTD, OTR/L; and Adele Breen-Franklin, OTD, JD, OTR/L - all assistant professors of occupational therapy at USciences - were also inducted into the honor society.

As the society's adviser, Fox encourages the inductees to use their knowledge beyond traditional professional settings to help ensure quality healthcare services within their communities. Occupational therapy is among the top five programs boasting the highest enrollments at University of the Sciences, and Fox strives to promote the importance of community engagement among all students.

Pi Theta Epsilon, a specialized honor society for occupational therapy students and alumni, recognizes and encourages superior scholarship among students enrolled in professional entry-level programs at accredited educational programs across the U.S. The society also aims to contribute to the advancement of occupational therapy through special projects of its members, provide a basis for relationship among accredited programs of occupational therapy, and collaborate with other student occupational therapy organizations.

At University of the Sciences, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in the science and healthcare-related fields. A private institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the North America's first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the science and healthcare marketplaces since its founding in 1821. Students in USciences' four colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving healthcare in the lives of people worldwide through such disciplines as pharmacy, biology, chemistry, psychology, physics, physical therapy, healthcare business, and health policy. For more information, visit usciences.edu or follow @USciences on Twitter.