3 Questions with a Future Occupational Therapist, Part 2
Chatham’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program offers students the opportunity to hone their leadership skills, gain real-world fieldwork experience, and cultivate professional growth as globally-minded leaders in healthcare. We caught up with future occupational therapists and current Chatham OT students Vanessa Verboort and Stephanie Cascio to see what led them to Chatham’s OTD program and what their future plans are. Read Vanessa’s interview below and check out Stephanie’s at the link.
Vanessa Verboort,
OTD Student
What led you to decide to become an Occupational Therapist and study in Chatham’s OTD program?
VV: Growing up, my mother worked as an occupational therapy assistant and I always admired her passion for helping others achieve their best quality of life. Five years ago, my mother’s love for occupational therapy became my own when my sixteen-year-old brother got into a car accident and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. It left him comatose for an extended period of time. While living in the hospital with my family, my brother’s occupational therapist provided light and hope for us. Through this unfathomable experience, I saw the direct impact that OT had on my brother and his quality of life, and knew it was what I wanted to do. I chose Chatham’s OT program because of their reputation for helping mold students into creative, confident, and resilient occupational therapists.
What has been the coolest aspect of your OT training at Chatham thus far?
VV: While I have had many amazing experiences, the mentorship this program has provided me with is something I will carry with me into my career as an occupational therapist. I never expected to have professors who are so invested in supporting me through every step of the journey, and who truly care about their role in the process. My favorite aspect of this semester has been getting to dive into our traumatic brain injury unit in Functional Neuroscience with Associate Professor, Dr. Jodi Schreiber. Each week I leave my classes amazed at what I have learned, and excited for what’s to come.
“One of my post-graduation goals is to become a Traumatic Brain Injury Specialist. That way, no matter what setting I work in, I am able to help patients and families through the same scary process that I went through with my brother. Chatham has been fully supportive of this. Dr. Kasey Stepanksy, who is certified herself, has personally guided me and shown me what actions I can take now to ensure I am prepared when the time comes.”
What advice do you have for students who are considering pursuing their Doctorate of Occupational Therapy?
VV: In all honesty, I would say believe in yourself. There is never a bad time to pursue a professional career that will be personally rewarding. Whether you are coming straight from undergrad or taking a few years in between like I did, there is never a bad time to invest in yourself. If you are unsure, observing and spending as much time around OT as you can will help solidify your decision. I firmly believe that choosing a career in Occupational Therapy is the best decision I have ever made, and as each week goes by, I know I am exactly where I need to be.
Interested in exploring Chatham’s Occupational Therapy program? Click the link to learn more.
