Occupational Therapy Assistant Alumni Invited to 20-Year Celebration

Published 04.07.2008

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It's been 20 years since the first class of occupational therapy assistant students walked across the stage to receive their associate of applied science degrees from Williamsport Area Community College, Pennsylvania College of Technology's immediate forerunner.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of those first eight students' graduation, and of the 386 graduates who followed, Penn College will host a 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 30, offering the occupational therapy assistant program's graduates a day to share their stories, as well as opportunities for continuing education.

"Alumni continue to build a strong reputation for the program and are furthering the role of the COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) in diverse practice areas by assuming leadership roles in management, pursuing further education or starting a business. Some have used their education as a stepping stone to a totally different profession; many have gotten married, become parents or grandparents," said Barbara J. Natell, director of the occupational therapy assistant program. "We want to hear all of their stories."

Topics for continuing-education sessions are: "Listening Therapies for Sensory Processing Disorders," "The Therapeutic Use of T'ai Chi Ch'uan," "The New Health Care Epidemic-Obesity," "The Lurian Model of Neuropsychology" and a keynote session titled "What Do You Do When Your World Is Turned Upside Down?" Richard Dowell, a neuropsychologist with Evangelical Neurosciences in Lewisburg, will deliver the keynote address.

For more information, or to register, call the college's Workforce Development & Continuing Education office at (570) 327-4775, e-mail or visit online . The registration deadline is May 16.

The event is offered in conjunction with the college's occupational therapy assistant program, the School of Health Sciences and the Alumni Relations Office.

For information about the occupational therapy assistant major and other academic programs offered by the School of Health Sciences at Penn College, visiton the Web or call (570) 327-4519.

To learn more about Penn College, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.