ATSU-ASHS Doctor of Occupational Therapy student says program preparing her for success
Posted: September 29, 2023
A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Doctor of Occupational Therapy program student Emma Taylor, OTD, ’25, would like to one day work as a pediatric occupational therapist, and ATSU is providing her with the education and practical opportunities to prepare for her future.
“ATSU is preparing me with the pediatric immersion classes my curriculum offers. I am gaining hands-on experience while applying course material, which is helping me become confident in my clinical reasoning skills, and which can be applied in my future career,” she said.
“Since the start of school, ATSU has always given me a sense of support and success. The OT department truly makes you understand your purpose as a future occupational therapist and is always willing to help you with anything and everything.”
Taylor is originally from Demotte, Indiana, and graduated from Ball State University with a degree in exercise science. She chose ATSU because the University’s mission aligned with her own beliefs of what patient care should be.
“I chose ATSU because I appreciated the holistic approach that the University strongly focuses on. As a future occupational therapist, it is important to address the whole body, which I felt I was going to be able to learn at ATSU,” she said.
Taylor has served as both a student ambassador and clinic lead for ATSU’s Center for Occupational and Physical Therapy, a pro-bono clinic.
“I became a student ambassador because I wanted to support incoming students with the transition to graduate school,” Taylor said. “After moving across the country, I felt that I could speak to others about my experience and why I chose to go to ATSU. I enjoy being an ambassador because it allows me to communicate with future students and represent the University at different events.
“I decided to become a board member of the OT/PT pro-bono clinic because I wanted to be able to understand how a clinic is run behind the scenes. The clinic offers free occupational and physical therapy services to members of the community and allows students to get a sense of what their future profession will be like. I enjoy being a board member because it allows me to work closely with my peers, faculty, and surrounding community.”