Misericordia Univ. occupational therapy faculty memberspresenting at inter-national conference

DALLAS, Pa. - Faculty members and their students in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Misericordia University have been accepted to present their collaborative research projects at the 16th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy in Yokohama, Japan in June.

Lalit Shah, Ed.D., O.T.R./L., professor of occupational therapy, and several students will make a poster-based presentation based upon their research, "Life Balance: A Comparative Study of Retired and Working Occupational Therapists."

Jennifer Dessoye, O.T.D., M.S., O.T.R./L., assistant professor of occupational therapy, and her students, including Lindsey McLaughlin of Nesquehoning, will present a session on their research project, entitled "The Effectiveness of Handwriting and Visual Motor iPad Apps in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.''

Joseph Cipriani, Ed.D., O.T.R./L., professor of occupational therapy and his students will offer their research-based poster, "Uncovering the Value and Meaning of a Horticulture Therapy Program for Clients at a Long-Term Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Facility."

Misericordia University offers a five-year, entry-level master's degree program in occupational therapy for students who are embarking on their collegiate careers and would like to become occupational therapists. MU also has a weekend program for people who already are certified occupational therapy assistants or who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than occupational therapy and would like to become qualified OTs. A post-professional pediatric certificate program for practicing OTs, as well as a post-professional master's degree and doctoral program in OT also are available.

For more information about occupational therapy program at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or log on to www.misericordia.edu/ot. Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County's first four-year college and offers 34 academic programs on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full and part-time formats.