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| Occupational Therapy students were honored on May 6 during a pinning ceremony for SCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program. |
On May 6, Southwestern Community honored its first set of Occupational Therapy Assistant graduates in 15 years with a pinning ceremony on the Jackson Campus.
The two-year program, which was re-established in 2014 due to changes in Medicare funding formulas, recognized 14 students who are now eligible to take their national certification exam.
Upon passing that exam, graduates can pursue careers as occupational therapy assistants in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, schools and community centers.
Program coordinator at SCC is Anna Walls, and Laurel Cargill Radley is the clinical coordinator.
“There is a tremendous demand throughout Western North Carolina for students in this field,” Walls said. “I’m very proud of all our graduates, and I know they will all make significant contributions to this profession in their careers.”
The program received its official accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association during the spring semester.
Awards given out during the pinning went to Kara Smathers (winner of the Commendation Award for the Honors Project); Jennifer Adams (winner of the Professional Behavior Award) and Joanna Frizzell (winner of Fieldwork Educator of the Year Award).
For more information about SCC and its programs, visit www.southwesterncc.edu, call 828.339.4000 or stop by your nearest SCC location.
