Alumni Association Newsletter
Volume 2
Issue 10
From the Chair
A great deal of change has happened in the
Department since my last letter. Much of this is described
in greater detail elsewhere in this newsletter.
The main focus of this letter however is on
another aspect of change, and that is our Department’s
ultimate vision of how we relate to and support you, our
alumni. Five years ago, alumni affairs was identified as a
crucial area on which we wanted to concentrate, and was
designated as a major goal in our Department’s strategic
plan for 2000-2005. We wanted to forge a much stronger
link with our alumni, recognizing their accomplishments,
capitalizing on their skills, and including them in our
departmental activities. At that time, we firmed up a
departmentally
based
Alumni
Committee,
but
conceptualized the eventual transformation of this
committee to a full-fledged Alumni Association where
decision-making was enacted by the alumni themselves,
with ongoing logistical and financial support from the
Department. Our Alumni Goal in the strategic plan
specified the need “to actively involve alumni leaders in
nurturing alumni connections with the Department”. It was
also at that time that we recognized the value of
simultaneously continuing to nurture our relationship with
the Medical College of Virginia Alumni Association
(MCVAA).
Five years have passed, and we have made great
strides in moving forward both our transition to an alumniled association and in strengthening our interaction with
MCVAA. As we look to develop Departmental goals for the
next year and anticipate developing a new five-year
strategic plan we find ourselves poised at a crossroads –
one at which it is essential to have vigorous alumni
involvement if we are to continue to make progress. Thus
far, we have identified a number of graduates who have
indicated willingness to coordinate information about their
class and serve as liaisons to the OT Department. We
have also been working with a small group of alumni,
primarily living in the Richmond area, who have graciously
agreed to serve as interim leaders until a more formal
alumni organization is developed. In 2004 we were
fortunate to receive funding from MCVAA to coordinate a
Connections event for alumni and new graduates (see
related article in this newsletter), increasing our
interactions with Barbara Payton, Executive Director, and
stimulating ideas for future projects together. Last year,
David Boerkoel, who graduated from our program in 1986,
was selected to serve on the MCVAA Board of Directors,
Summer 2005
….Dr. Shelly Lane
again increasing the visibility of our Department and
forging another welcomed link with MCVAA.
Clearly, we can boast some significant
accomplishments in terms of alumni affairs. We are now
calling on each of you to work with us so that we do not
lose the momentum we’ve gained thus far. Our vision is
the cultivation of a network of enthusiastic alumni, from
near and far, willing to take the Alumni Committee to the
next level. We need a core of alumni willing to put together
the content of future editions of the alumni newsletter and
begin to establish contacts with other alumni, so that
eventually elections could be held and a formal alumni
association be established. In the interim, these
individuals would meet or communicate via e-mail with
Department faculty and staff, most likely for another year,
until an independent organization is formed. We are
asking all interested graduates of our programs to contact
the Alumni Committee (see related information in this
newsletter) and help us establish the best occupational
therapy alumni association ever.
We certainly do not envision this to be a one-way
street and continue to seek ways in which we can serve
and be of benefit to our alumni as well. Our 2000-2005
Strategic Plan specified that we seek ways to reward,
support and recognize our alumni, and we remain
committed to doing so. In the past year, we continued to
produce and send out our biannual newsletter and will
maintain this effort, hopefully with increasing input from
alumni in terms of articles and information about class
members’ whereabouts. We hosted a reception at the
Annual Meeting of the Virginia Occupational Therapy
Association (VOTA), and are looking at sponsoring similar
events at the VOTA and American Occupational Therapy
Association meetings next year. Also “on the table” is
discussion of the development of an Alumna/us of the
Year Award. Our Department will continue to explore the
ways in which we can best nurture alumni, and the Alumni
Committee will welcome any feedback, suggestions or
ideas you might have about this. We are firmly committed
to our relationship with each of you, our alumni, but also
need your help and energy at this time to foster a vibrant,
productive, mutually beneficial relationship. Please
consider stepping forward to capitalize on the momentum
we’ve gained thus far and assist us in moving towards an
alumni association that is truly yours.
Shelly J. Lane, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA
Professor and Chair
Dr. Dianne Koonzt Lowman Accepts
Appointment at JMU
In May 1995, Dianne was the first non-OT to be
hired in the OT Department as the Program
Coordinator for the Interdisciplinary School-Based
Training Grant for Occupational and Physical
Therapists. As a special educator, Dianne added
much depth and breadth to this grant and to our
pediatric curriculum in occupational therapy. In
1997, she was hired as an Assistant Professor in
the OT Department and she taught content related
to child and adolescent development, evaluation
and
assessment,
infants,
toddlers,
and
preschoolers
with
disabilities,
school-based
practice, and qualitative research. Her research
interests in pediatrics, especially focusing on
infants, toddlers, and young children with oral motor
feeding difficulties, severe disabilities, and complex
health care needs, often helped to guide student
research projects and ended in numerous
publications including a book on feeding. She has
worked cooperatively with local child care centers
and the Head Start program to develop
partnerships that incorporated both service-learning
and research.
With mixed emotions, we are saying goodbye to
two friends and colleagues who have taught with us
at VCU. One of these, Dianne Koontz Lowman,
Ed.D, Associate Professor of Occupational
Therapy, has resigned from the OT Department
and will be taking a position as the Early Childhood
Education Coordinator with the James Madison
University, Virginia Department of Education,
T/TAC. As many of you know, Dianne has traveled
over an hour each way from her home in
Gordonsville to Richmond for the past 10 years.
She and her husband George are building a timber
frame house on her family’s farm near Elkton,
Virginia. Both Dianne and George will be closer to
work and will have more time to play with their
grandchildren, Kalee and Caleb, and visit with their
parents.
Alumni Newsletter
In 2003, Dianne became tenured as an Associate
Professor and became the Director of the Graduate
Distance Learning Program and Academic
Performance in 2004. A large hole will be left in
our department as Dianne moves on to other
challenges. Dianne’s teaching ability, sensitivity,
enthusiasm, and organizational abilities will be
missed tremendously! We appreciate all the hard
work Dianne has done over the years, and award
her an honorary OT degree for learning all the OT
lingo and culture, and surviving ten years in the OT
department! May Dianne have many more hours of
fun at home with the family and may she continue
to thrive in her work.
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 2
Carolyn Velletri Concludes a Decade of
Service to the OT Department
For the past ten years, Carolyn Velletri (M.S.,
1985) has been a virtually indispensable part of
the Department in her capacity as Clinical
Associate Professor. Effective July, 2005, she
will be working as a Clinical Resource Manager
with Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in
Richmond, VA. Because the position is one of
full-time case management, Carolyn will no
longer be involved with adjunct teaching. In the
past, Carolyn has done an outstanding job of
instructing or co-teaching such courses as
Supervision
and
Administration,
Adult
Development, Activities, and Special Topics in
Mental Health. We warmly wish Carolyn all the
best with her new responsibilities and look
forward to her continued connection to the
Department as an alumna.
Faculty Tenure-2005
The VCU Occupational Therapy faculty is
pleased to announce that Dr. Jodi Teitelman,
an Associate Professor in the department since
1994, has been awarded tenure this year. Dr.
Teitelman’s substantial contributions to the
O.T. Department include teaching, research,
and service in the areas of gerontology and
mental health.
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 3
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE OUR ALUMNI?
Carole Ivey (B.S., 1993) completed her first
triathlon on May 29, 2005. The Victory Nissan
Sprint Triathlon included a 300m swim, 20K bike
ride and 5K run. Carole is understandably thrilled to
have completed the event but confessed her 67year old father (his first triathlon also) beat her time
by 6 minutes. (Way to go, Carole and Dad!)
Sacha (Ostroff) Brohimer (B.S., 2000) is still
working as an OT in mental health practice at
Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg and just
celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary in
June.
Laurie (Robins) Parmer (M.S., 2002) recently
began working in private pediatric practice in
Virginia Beach and reports “I LOVE it!” The practice
is Dianne Epplein & Associates, owned by a PT
and staffed with 3 OT’s and several additional PT’s
and SLP’s. Laurie works two days a week, primarily
with children with cerebral palsy, Rett Syndrome,
feeding problems, autism, delayed motor skills,
ADHD and other diagnoses, and gets a bulk of her
referrals for sensory integration dysfunction. Laurie
also says her husband Rob’s job is going well;
Ryder just turned one and started walking; and
River is almost three and “becoming quite the little
individual.”
Grace Parker (M.S., 2004) is engaged to be
married in May, 2006.
Holly Register (B.S., 2002) is working at Hopewell
Healthcare Center as an occupational therapist. In
addition, her picture will be featured in the Senior
Source magazine as one of the OTs working with a
patient. Her husband, Wayne, has graduated from
nursing school and is now working as an RN at
VCU Medical Center.
Celeste Magtag (B.S., 2000) is currently working
PRN as an OT, primarily at VCU Medical Center in
acute and outpatient care. She is also pursuing a
degree in social work at VCU and hopes to
graduate in May, 2006.
Anne Ripper (B.S. 2000) continues with her
world travels and adventures. This summer
she is teaching Iyengar yoga in Munich and
Sardinia. In September, she’ll be returning to
Richmond to attend her sister’s wedding.
WE REMEMBER…
Marcia (Gibbs) Tidd (B.S., 1970) died on January 5, 2005. After graduation, Ms. Tidd worked at the
(then-named) VCU-MCV Occupational Therapy Department. In 1973, she began working at the Virginia
Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI), first as an OT, next as Supervisor of the
Personal and Home Management Skills Department, and beginning in 1991, as Assistant Director for
Administration. In these various roles, she was instrumental in improving dormitory and medical services,
creating the Independent Living Apartment program, enhancing services to persons with brain injuries,
developing the work evaluation area, and automating the Center’s case management services and business
office. According to Dennis Garza, Director of VRCBVI, “Marnie touched many, many lives of students and
staff in a positive and caring way. Her memory and spirit will live on at VRCBVI.”
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 4
News From the Entry-Level Program
The VCU O.T. Department welcomed 24 new
students on June 13, 2005. The class attended
a few days of orientation before starting the
Nature of OT course. Students started the
Human Anatomy class on June 30, 2005. Of
the 24, 21 are from Virginia and 13 are
previous VCU students. Nineteen are entering
with previous degrees, the most for recent
entering classes. There are 21 women and 3
males with a mean age of 24. This is the
second year that most of the new students,
approximately 83%, have had the opportunity
to visit the department and meet the faculty,
clinical faculty, staff, and students during an
Open House for Accepted Applicants. They all
seem very excited to begin their career in
Occupational Therapy.
One January 8, 2005, the Pinning Ceremony was held for the Class of 2004 in which 19 new O.T.s
graduated from the VCU Occupational Therapy Department. At the time of the pinning ceremony, 16
students had found employment, mostly at former Fieldwork sites. Ninety-five percent of this class is
currently employed as Occupational Therapists!
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 5
2005 Student Research Forum
The 4th Annual Occupational Therapy Masters Student Research Forum was held on May 3, 2005 in
the MCV Alumni House. Presentations at the forum are a required part of students’ research
curriculum, and this year reflected an exciting variety of ideas and methodologies.
Presentations and student researchers were as follows:
Data Analysis
The Effectiveness of the Beckman Oral-Motor
Intervention for Children with Feeding
Impairments
Lisa Anderson and Kate Parker
Qualitative Mini Studies
A Study of the Relationship Between
Occupational Therapists and Physical
Therapists
Jocelyn Veraque
Systematic Review of the Literature
The Effects of Alcohol on the Personal and
Social Well-Being of Adults
Alison Conley and Tanisha Harris
The Effects of Low Vision on Quality of Life in
Adults
Jenna Burgess and Ebony White
Review of the Literature and Collection of
Preliminary Data
The Influence of Transition Portfolios upon
Self-determination of Adolescents At-Risk
Ellen Dreis and Brandee Eley
A Phenomenological Study of Occupational
Therapy Treatment for Children Who Have
Been Abused
Beverly Ebinger
Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice and
the War on Terror: Implications for
Psychosocial Treatment
Leah Guanlao
A Biographical Study Exploring the Process of
Creating Clothing Options for People with
Disabilities
Rae Czekanski
A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Use
of Animal-Assisted Therapy (ATT) in
Occupational Therapy
Sheri Mayer
As has been true in years past, this was a wonderful opportunity for students to demonstrate their
competence and skills in research and to practice professional dissemination of study findings. In that
spirit, the forum concluded with a celebratory reception for all presenters and guests.
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 6
News From the Post-Professional Program
Post-Professional Master’s Program
Thesis Successfully Defended:
Allison Mistrett
Allison Mistrett successfully defended her thesis on
April 18, 2005. She presented her original research
entitled, “The Impact of Sensory Integrative
Dysfunction on Participation in Daily Activities”, and
responded to questions from the audience. A
reception followed with much celebration. Dr.
Shelly Lane chaired Allie’s committee which
included Dr. Dianne Koontz Lowman and Dr. David
Bauer as faculty advisors. Alli is a May, 2005
graduate of the VCU O.T. Department.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Alli’s private practice, Leaps and Bounds, Inc., LLC,
is located in Washington, D.C.
Allison Mistrett and Dr. Shelly Lane
OT Department Students win AOTF Awards
The Board of Directors of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation announced 44 scholarships
awarded to deserving occupational therapy students around the country on June 28, 2005. Two students from
the VCU Occupational Therapy Department were among the recipients. Congratulations Laura and Stacey!!!!
Entry Level Doctoral or Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
The Alice Jantzen Memorial Scholarship- $2,000.00
Laura James
Virginia Commonwealth University
Post-Professional Graduate Degree in Occupational Therapy or Related Field
Willard and Spackman Scholarship-$2,000.00
Stacey Reynolds
Virginia Commonwealth University
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 7
Calling all VCU Alumni
VCU OT Department Alumni Wanted!!
We are looking for alumni to work with Department faculty and staff
to contact classmates, write articles for this newsletter
and help plan future activities of interest to OT Department graduates.
If you would like to help, please contact:
Jodi Teitelman, Chair of the Alumni Committee at jlteitel@vcu.edu or (804) 828-2219.
Your active participation is needed and appreciated!
A Letter From The President of the MCV Alumni Association
As I begin my two year odyssey as your President of the MCV Alumni Association of VCU, I
am humbled to read the names of Past Presidents who have previously led this great organization
during its prestigious 116 year history, some of whom are the ancestors of my contemporary
colleagues. I know that I have some very big shoes to fill, but I am excited about the challenge.
As the very successful MCVAA-MCVF Incentive Program comes to the end of its five year
run, we are thrilled with the final results. The $500,000 which we contributed to this program was
added to the MCV Foundation's $500,000 contribution to create a "matching gifts pool", resulting in
the creation of 48 new funds and over $3.1 million dollars worth of scholarships, professorships, and
endowments for the MCV community.
We are equally excited about beginning a new partnership with the MCV Foundation to help
fund the comprehensive renovation of Hunton Hall. Many of you will remember the Virginia Historic
Landmark at the corner of 12th and Broad Streets (formerly First Baptist Church) which has served as
a student study and service center for over fifty years. The renovation has already started, and we
are so proud to be a part of creating a new Student Center for our students.
Our Board of Trustees has just adopted a Strategic Plan which provides a "roadmap" for our
organization's future. One of our key initiatives within this plan is to restructure our Scholarship
program. We recently voted to increase our Scholarship Endowment which will result in larger
scholarship payouts for MCV Campus students. Additionally, I have appointed an Ad Hoc Scholarship
Committee to examine our scholarship programs and develop more effective ways to recognize and
reward our students. I'll share more about this with you in the future.
If you are already a dues paying member of the MCV Alumni Association, we appreciate your
support. If you have been meaning to join, why not now? You can join online at www.vcumcvalumni.org or by calling our offices at (804) 828-3900, or (800) 628-7799.
Sincerely,
George W. Burke III, M.D. (M70)
President, MCV Alumni Association of VCU
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 8
“CONNECTIONS” Celebration
By Sarah Hopkins (M.S., 1986)
There is something between us that words can’t
define…
Charlottesville songwriter Adele Abrahams wrote the
perfect words in a song to describe the feeling that New
Grads and “Seasoned” Grads have in common. A new
tradition has been started at the OT Department. On
January 7, 2005, on the night before the Pinning
Ceremony, the VCU OT Department Alumni Committee
sponsored a gathering for new graduates to socialize
with representatives of classes of graduates going back
as far as the days of RPI. The theme was
“Connections”, and there was much shared that night.
OT Class of 1986 Alumni:
David Boerkoel & Dianne Simons
We’re connected through love, we’re connected through life, we’re connected through stories and
tears in the night…
After presentations by Dean Cecil Drain, Dr. Shelly Lane and Barbara Payton, Executive Director of
the MCV Alumni Association (MCVAA), inspirational comments were offered by Judy Hanshaw (B.S.,
1964) and Anne McDonnell (B.S., 1884). Thanks to a grant award from MCVAA, delicious snacks and
fun door prizes were also part of the festivities. There were stories shared, pictures and memorabilia
of classes past, games, laughter and tears, encouragement for the future, and even a song or two.
We’re connected through memories, connected through friends…
New memories of new friends and traditions were created; old friends for whom connections may
have been lost were remembered.
Feel deep the connection, made strong once again…
But nothing can compare to the feeling of deep connection and gratitude for our school for having
given us the opportunity to share in this experience, this marvelous profession and our time together.
Feel deep the connection, made strong…once again.
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 9
From Ruby & Susan Cacioppe…
Some of you may have heard about Ruby and Susan in Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners, “Can
Someone Help My Mom?” (October 4, 2004) by Ruby Cacioppe. You may not know that Susan is an alumnus
of our program (B.S., 1986).
Susan is looking to put the collective minds of OT practitioners together to give her ideas for continued
participation in OT, her chosen profession. According to the Advance article: “Susan has been an OT for 16
years. However, she has been on disability for five years due to severe asthma. She is in the hospital two to
four times a year: Susan‘s other medical problems include IDDM, HTN, anemia, reflux, several fractures and
various infections. Despite these issues, Susan continues to work as a per-diem therapist at an acute care
hospital near our home (we live near the Jersey shore). She also does work for an agency at a subacute
hospital when she can” (p. 10).
As noted in Advance, Susan is not currently working full-time. However, she would like to work as much as
possible. Her own problem solving has lead her to do per diem acute care and pet therapy (with Ruby!) on an
oncology unit. Susan has a wide range of experience: She “has specialized in head injury. She also has
experience in home care, long term care, acute and subacute care, mental health, rehab and outpatient
rehab.” (p. 10).
If you have some ideas that would fit Susan’s strengths and her need to be an active OT, please contact her!
Contact information listed in Advance is as follows: Our phone number is (732) 477-3138; e-mail:
smc71862@msn.com.
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 10
Facts About the VCU O.T. Department
Educating Occupational Therapists since 1942.
Ranked 15th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
Awarded 10-year term of accreditation by ACOTE in 2001 (the highest term of accreditation possible).
From 2002-2005, pass rate of 100% for all graduates who took the NBCOT certification examination.
In 2005, 95% of graduates looking for jobs found employment before or within 3 months after graduation.
In 2005, 68% of graduates accepted employment positions before completing Fieldwork II.
The Occupational Therapy Department awards two degrees in occupational therapy:
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.): Entry-level program
Generalist entry-level curriculum preparation using a wide range of instructional technology
Applications of assistive technology throughout the curriculum
Development of research skills
Wide range of clinical training experiences
Master of Science (M.S.): Distance education program for current OTR’s
Provide theory-and evidence-based practice
Develop advanced clinical research skills
Complete a thesis on a topic of mutual interest to you and your advisor
Nine full time faculty
1 Ph.D. (Psychology)
3 OTR’s with Ph.D. (Public Health, Instructional Technology, and Neuroscience)
1 OTR with Sc.D. (Occupational Therapy)
4 OTR’s (Master’s level)
Faculty also is composed of Adjuncts who are clinicians in the community.
Small classes for optimum student/faculty interaction offered in an urban setting rich in professional and
cultural opportunities.
State-of-the art computer laboratory and assistive technology.
VCU Medical Center, the hospitals, clinics and health sciences schools of VCU, form one of the leading
academic medical research centers in the country.
Department contact information:
Occupational Therapy Department
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 980008
1000 E. Marshall Street
Richmond, VA 23298-0008
(804) 828-2219
(804) 828-0782 FAX
Sandra H. Cash, MS, OTR/L
Director, Entry-Level Graduate Program
http://www.sahp.vcu.edu/occu/
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 11
1000 East Marshall Street
P.O. Box 980008
Richmond, VA 23298-0008
U.S. News Ranking
VCU’s OT Graduate Program ranked
one of America’s Best Graduate Schools
#15
"Cultivating Future Therapists through a Tradition of Excellence"
Alumni Newsletter
“Cultivating Future Therapists Through a Tradition of Excellence”
Page 12