I am a registered occupational therapist with a license to practice in the states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I graduated with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Heart University. I chose this profession due to its alignment with my core values of altruism and equality. I entered this profession following an event that required me to receive rehabilitative services. Through this process, I discovered the significance of regaining one’s independence through engagement in meaningful activities. I aim to utilize this experience in my practice so my clients may also share this sense of empowerment. My accomplishments include active involvement in community advocacy programs and a strong record of academic excellence. To contribute to my professional development, I have had the privilege to present at state conferences and an international webinar. 

I have observed and worked in a myriad of rehabilitation settings before, but it took me experiencing the patient’s point of view to understand the true value of this profession. Through the help of my occupational therapist, I regained some forms of independence, which became the one sense of normalcy I had in my otherwise aberrant situation. I had realized occupational therapy was more about working with one’s current limitations to achieve a goal rather than it only serving the desired outcome. Whenever I asked if we could try a new activity, the answer was never no, but “Let’s figure out how”. It was this mindset and the innovative nature of the profession that eventually led me to choose this career path.

The most fundamental aspect of my professional goals is to be an exemplary health professional who provides patient-centered care and acts as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team. Our current healthcare system requires the patient to be their own best advocate, but without existing knowledge in this field, it can lead to patients facing constant injustices in their quality of care. As a health professional, I understand the crucial aspect of maintaining a patient’s values and goals when planning their treatment. 

My experiences, both professionally and personally, give me a unique insight to understand both perspectives of the rehabilitation process and further my ability to communicate and collaborate effectively between the patient and other clinicians. 

My career ambition is to expand the occupational therapy profession by imparting my education to others. My privilege of having access to higher education gives me the responsibility to apply my knowledge and skills beyond the clinic, in order to reach my community. This is a critical facet of my professional development, as I wish to assist those who have been neglected by our current healthcare system. My preeminent aspiration is to be a leader in my community; my career in occupational therapy is the route, in which, I can actualize this dream.

I have been involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN for the past 8 years. The mission of St. Jude's is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food so they can focus on helping their child live. During my association with this foundation, I have individually fundraised over $12,000 and traveled to the hospital for volunteer trips. This organization remains extremely close to my heart and was my initial inspiration in becoming a health professional.