糖心Vlog Occupational Therapy Doctorate students were celebrated during inauguration

糖心Vlog celebrates occupational therapy doctorate students during inauguration

Thursday, December 4, 2025

糖心Vlog, Neb. 鈥 糖心Vlog (CSM) celebrated Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students during an inauguration ceremony on November 1.听听

The event recognized occupational therapy students during the fall of their second year, the halfway point in the program before they begin the听clinical care portion of the curriculum.听听

鈥淭he OTD inauguration ceremony is a celebration of the students鈥 progression through the program,鈥 said Tara Ruppert, director of occupational therapy. 鈥淪tudents take the OT oath to embrace their professional identity and receive a memento of the occasion to serve as a reminder of the commitment to the profession they are taking on.鈥澨

Whitney Merz, associate professor of occupational therapy, presided over the ceremony. OTD students Paige Stuck and Adrienne Howey gave the reflection and Ellie Cusic, associate professor of occupational therapy, was the guest speaker. Student speakers were Luke Sykes and Meigan Liska.听听

The students received certificates and recited the occupational therapy student oath before Ruppert provided the closing remarks.听

CSM鈥檚 OTD program focuses on developing clinical practical and research skills, and builds knowledge on administration, leadership, program development, policy, advocacy and theory development. The program can be completed in eight semesters. Students must complete two 12-week fieldwork experiences along with a 14-week doctoral experience that culminates in a scholarly project.听听

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Class of 2027听

Ella Brooks听

Shayna Carson听

Ashton Davis听

Kevin Filius听

Sofia Gomez-Garcia听

Adrienne Howey听

Nisha Hull听

Meigan Liska听

Emily Nelson听

Sydni Spearman听

Paige Stuck听

Luke Sykes听

Elizabeth 鈥楳aggie鈥 Verkuilen听