Occupational Therapy Doctorate Student Found Home in Cohort

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Student Found Home in Cohort

Graduating Friday, May 2, with a doctorate in occupational therapy, Samantha Stanley said she wants to dedicate her career as an occupational therapist to helping others.

"During my undergrad, I was very interested in learning and understanding the human body but was still not sure on what I wanted to do with my degree. I had a friend at my university who was looking into applying to schools with occupational therapy programs and suggested that I look further into the field," Stanley said. "I was able to complete observation hours at a local pediatric outpatient clinic, and I was so intrigued with the profession and all that it encompassed. The ability to assist individuals to be more independent in various ways and in so many different aspects of daily life really is what drew me in."

After she earned her bachelor of science at the University of Heidelberg in Tiffin, Stanley said she looked elsewhere to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy (O.T.D).

"After I became interested in the field of occupational therapy, I was looking for programs near me and I discovered that UToledo offered the O.T.D. program," she said. "After seeing what else the program offered, the small size of the cohort and the location, I decided UToledo was the perfect fit."

Stanley is a member of the Student Occupational Therapy Association, which is aimed toward increasing the educational, service and social opportunities for OT students at UToledo. She also was a co-chair of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity.

"I think some of my most memorable and favorite moments included getting to spend so much time with others in the program," Stanley said. "In the O.T.D. program, we have a such a small class size that we really get the opportunity to make close, long-lasting relationships with so many of our members."

In her last semester, Stanley is completing a capstone project advocating for increased collaboration between occupational therapy and dentistry to enhance the oral health of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Dr. Laura Schmelzer, an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, said Stanley has exceeded the expectations for the project and is on a path to make a change in her topic.

"Throughout her capstone project she has demonstrated professionalism, empathy and good interprofessional collaboration," Schmelzer said. "Throughout her first two years in the program, she needed to manage the demands of school while also balancing work demands in order to meet her basic needs and contribute to the basic needs of her younger siblings and parents. Samantha demonstrated immense maturity and grit during this time."

Following graduation, Stanley will take the NBCOT exam to become a registered occupational therapist, and is considering a number of job opportunities.

"The O.T.D. Program is something that requires a lot of time, effort and hard work; however, it is so rewarding," she said. "Being able to be a part of a profession that has such amazing values really is something I am glad I took on as a challenge over the past three years. The support you receive from your small cohort and the amazing faculty members is something that I don't think you can get anywhere else."