Spring 2008

Interdisciplinary Group Visits Japan

As part of our continuing exchange with Kitasato University, 6 students and Department of Radiologic Sciences faculty
Dr. Christina Truluck are visiting Kitasato from March 3-7, 2008. Students have a blog that they will be updating daily. The two occupational therapy students are 1st year EMOT student Laura Schaffner and OTD student Vanessa Fry. They accompany Kyle Blanchard and Matt Miller from Physical Therapy and Ryan Hofmann and Peter Luce from Radiologic Sciences. Modesty Orfetel from Radiologic Sciences is participating in the course from the U.S. and will be in touch with the group while they are in Japan.Students are doing the exchange as part of an independent study led by Dr. Susan Toth-Cohen.Upon their return, they will do a presentation about the exchange for students, faculty, and administration.

Fall 2007

Occupational Therapy Department gets new space

The new Dorrance H. Hamilton Building officially opened on October 19, 2007. One of the unique features of this multi-disciplinary education building is the apartment designed and furnished by the College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy. This is a fully functional space with living room, bedroom, bath, and laundry facilities in which many of the Department's laboratory classes will take place.

Backpack Awareness in a Virtual Environment

On September 19, the Department participated in AOTA's public campaign for backpack awareness. Faculty and students promoted this healthy message on the Jefferson campus and in the virtual environment of Second Life. The Department has a virtual Occupational Therapy Center in Second Life where the event was held. Educational tools used to promote backpack awareness included a quiz, video, and demonstration. Dr. Susan Toth-Cohen, who is developing the virtual department's space, plans additional events to promote Occupational Therapy in this exciting new venue. Dr. Toth-Cohen was featured recently in articles about her Second Life projects in the Chronicle of Higher Education and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Occupational Therapy in South Africa

Dr. Schaaf and students visited South Africa- check out their travel stories here.

Summer 2007

Dr. Schaaf speaks in Hong Kong and Thailand

New OTD program will launch Fall 2007

Orientation and first day of classes will take place on Saturday, September 8 for students accepted into our OTD program (location to be announced). For more information about the OTD program, see the OTD home page or contact Susan Toth-Cohen, Ph.D., OTR/L.

Spring 2007

Dr. Roseann Schaaf cited in NY Times

Neuroscientist and occcupational therapist Dr. Roseann Schaaf, who is Vice Chairman, Associate Professor, and        Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Occupational Therapy, was quoted in an article entitled,The Disorder Is Sensory; the Diagnosis, Elusive for her expertise in Sensory Integration. Read the June 5, 2007 article at this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/05/health/psychology/05sens.html?ref=science Dr. Schaaf has an ongoing program of research in Sensory Integration and directs the Sensory Integration Laboratory

Clinical Doctorate (OTD) Program 

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Jefferson will launch the new Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program, (OTD) in September, 2007. This cutting edge program will be highly individualized and enable busy clinicians to take courses online. Students are admitted in both the Fall and Summer semesters.

See Description of the Program and Curriculum, as well as Frequently Asked Questions .

Spring-Summer 2006

Educational Exchange with Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan

See Interactive Slide Show for more information !

Sensory Processing Disorders In Children, Adolescents and Adults

Thomas Jefferson University Department of Occupational Therapy June 23, 2006 9-5 PM Featuring: Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR Additional Speakers Include: Roseann C. Schaaf, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA Moya Kinnealey, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTAM Sinclair Smith, ScD Beth Pfeiffer, Ph.D., OTR/L, BCP Kristie Koenig, Ph.D., OTR/L Cost: $225      CEUs: 6.5 All proceeds help fund research for children with sensory processing disorders. For further information, view the Registration Form. (PDF File, 140KB)

Fall 2005

Chairman of Penna. Autism Task Force visits Department of Occupational Therapy

From left: Dr. Schaaf, Representative O'Brien, and OT Chair Dr. Burke

P.A. Representative Dennis O'Brien visited the Sensory Integration Laboratory headed by Associate Professor, Vice Chairman and Director of Graduate Studies Roseann Schaaf on November 30, 2005  to observe Dr. Schaaf's program of research.  Dr. Schaaf's  research examines sensory dysfunction in children with autism, a problem that affects over 80% of the children on the autistic spectrum.  Representative O'Brien is a strong advocate for children with disabilities, and as such, is interested in promoting interdisciplinary and inter-university research across Pennsylvania. 

Read and see more about this story

Spring 2005

OT Department "Sweeps" Jefferson College of Health Professions Awards

[From left] Dean's Faculty Achievement Award - Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR /L Anne Reiley, Outstanding Service Award Arlene Lorch, MS, CHES, Fred and Sadye Abrams Award for Clinical Teaching Susan Toth-Cohen, PhD, OTR /L, Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching Adel Herge, MS, OTR /L, Emerging Alumni Leader Award

Fall-Winter 2004

5th Annual Alumni Lunch: Maintain your brain through engagement in occupation was a great success and drew over 80 participants. See pictures from this exciting event.

Summer-Fall 2004 Happenings

Spring 2004 Happenings

Faculty Research Interests

Jefferson College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy faculty members are nationally and internationally known for their innovative research. Check out their current projects (updated December, 2004).