SWAG��Ƶ

Ten students from the SWAG��Ƶ’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Class of 2024 were recently inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), the national honor society for occupational therapy students and alumni. 

The society’s mission is to advance research and scholarship among occupational therapy students while promoting authentic and collaborative practice that ultimately benefits recipients of occupational therapy services, according to the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. 

This year’s induction ceremony marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of SWAG��Ƶ’s Alpha Psi Chapter of PTE. Professor Emeritus Nancy MacRae, M.S., OTR/L, began the chapter in 1994 and gave an overview of the organization’s history at the event, held March 5 in Arthur P. Girard Innovation Hall on SWAG��Ƶ’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences.

Friends, family members, and supporters were also in attendance to celebrate the students’ achievements. 

Kristin Winston, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Kris Winston, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, program director of occupational therapy at SWAG��Ƶ, welcomed attendees, and Jennifer Morton, D.N.P., M.P.H., dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions, provided opening remarks to the audience. 

Carol Lambdin-Pattavina, O.T.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and current PTE faculty advisor, gave a keynote address titled “Change is Afoot: What is Your Why?” The talk reminded inductees that induction into PTE serves as a calling to strive for excellence in all they do as representatives of the occupational therapy profession.

“Induction into Pi Theta Epsilon represents a calling,” Pattavina remarked, adding, “A calling to become lifelong learners, to remain curious and full of wonder, unafraid to explore and to question even when — and especially when — questioning is hard. (Induction is) a calling to always act with integrity and compassion and a calling to provide the highest quality occupational therapy services to all people.”

Inducted into PTE were Korin Bowers, Rebecca Corbett, Molly Driscoll, Katherine Herzig, Sarah McAndrews, Monique Millette, Emily Morse, Sarah White, Brooke Toothaker, and Carolyn Wilson.