I chose Penn State DuBois because it was close to home and worked well for me as an adult learner. Our class worked very well together and most of us have kept in touch since graduating.
I worked close to home then began traveling through PA. I was hired in Lancaster after 3 years as a contract COTA/L. I did this for a few years and became an assistant DOR. I was then offered a DOR position at another facility and have continued as a DOR since 2018.
During COVID, the facility I was working at was a small non-profit SNF in a rural setting. We have very little masks and gowns during the worst and were actually wearing garbage bags to complete our treatments with residents. I contacted LuAnn Demi-Delbrugge, my professor, and I reached out for help with donations of gowns, masks, and gloves. LuAnn talked with her OTA students and they raised money to send us all the supplies we needed. What a blessing to be able to ask for help and be rewarded. We received more then enough from Penn State DuBois OTA students to carry us through the roughest weeks of COVID.
I came to Penn State DuBois for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program and loved the smaller campus and the location. This program has a wonderful reputation, is nationally accredited, and the one-on-one dedication from the professors was one of my favorite things.
Since I completed my degree, I've worked at a fast paced, neuro based in-patient rehab hospital in Pittsburgh, PA suburbs and have loved my career. I would love to see the OTA program continue to prepare students for careers as OTAs.
I graduated from the Penn State DuBois OTA Program in December of 2021. I work in the skilled nursing facility setting as a COTA in DuBois, PA, for the company Premier Therapy. After graduation, I passed my boards in March of 2022 and accepted a PRN position in April of 2022, which later transitioned into full-time employment at the DuBois Nursing Home.
While at Penn State DuBois, I was a full-time student-athlete. I played softball as well as went through the OTA program. The professors were very helpful in ensuring I succeeded while juggling being an athlete. I chose the OTA program at Penn State DuBois because of the proximity to my hometown and the small student-to-faculty ratio, making it easy to thrive and succeed. I know I can always contact my professors if I ever need help with anything as a program graduate.
Being a COTA is very rewarding as I can help the senior population gain their highest level of independence with everyday activities they enjoy!
Sarah Lenhart graduated from the Penn State DuBois OTA program December 2017. She is currently working full time in the home health setting as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in Warren, PA.
“Penn State DuBois professors go the extra mile for their students. I was prepared and ready to take on the world as a COTA after graduation and passing the national boards. I was VP of the OTA club, which is a wonderful opportunity to expand your education and love for OT outside of the classroom. Two months after graduation, I started working full-time as a COTA in the home health setting, and I love it!”
Hannah Schatz graduated from the Penn State DuBois OTA Program in December 2015. She is currently working as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in two settings.
When Hannah started her education at PSU DuBois she had transferred from another college and decided to switch her major. Hannah states, “I was able to get a top-notch education from this great university close to home, and the professors and staff were amazing and helped to make my transition very easy.” She states that throughout her 2 years on campus her professors prepared her not only for her future national boards but also provided her and her classmates many opportunities to prepare for real-life situations that they would experience in the future. These opportunities prepared her to work as a future COTA in a variety of work settings.
After graduating from Penn State in December 2015 and passing her national boards in March of 2016, Hannah accepted a PRN ("as needed") position at a local nursing home where she is currently on the call list to work when needed. About a year after graduation Hannah was offered a part-time position at an Intermediate Unit where she now works with children in both early intervention and within the school districts.
Hannah states that “I have been asked by multiple people how I like working as a COTA, and I tell them that every day I am so thankful that I transferred and switched majors. I can thank my professors and the amazing OTA program at Penn State DuBois for that.”
Dan Kolb graduated from the Penn State DuBois OTA Program in December 2012.
Since graduating, he has had two full-time positions as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – one in a Skilled Nursing Home, HRC Manor Care, in Camp Hill, PA and the other at HealthSouth Acute Rehabilitation in Mechanicsburg, PA, where he currently works.
At his current position, Dan has become a member of a program for individuals recovering from a stroke. He assists in leading community groups, small research programs, and community reintegration activities for stroke survivors.
In the spring of 2016, Dan was asked to assume an additional role as an Assistant PPS (Prospective Payment Service) coordinator at his hospital, increasing his involvement with the billing/payment aspect for healthcare. Additionally, in the spring of 2016, Dan was chosen by his peers to represent their hospital in running for “Clinician of the Year” which he won and became HealthSouth’s Clinician of the year in the spring of 2016.
In Dan’s words, “I have had a wonderful early career in Occupational Therapy so far and have everyone at Penn State DuBois to thank.”
Katrina Anderson graduated with an Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy from Penn State DuBois in 2013. She is currently employed as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
"When deciding on where to attend college, I chose Penn State DuBois because of the location, small professor to student ratio, and the professors/faculty. Overall, I am very satisfied with my choice of Penn State DuBois because of where I stand today. I believe that the professors in the OTA Program fully prepared myself for the NBCOT Boards as well as a job right after graduation. I graduated in December of 2013 and started my first COTA position at a local hospital in January of 2014. I still currently work there as well as PRN at a local nursing home and PRN for a home health agency. All of the education that I received at Penn State DuBois, greatly helped me as a new grad job applicant. The professors in the OTA program were always there to help and continue to stay in touch and help me in any way possible that they can post-graduation. I know I can contact them at any point and they will gladly assist with anything."
April M. Meyer graduated with an Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Penn State DuBois in 2010. She is currently a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
"I chose Penn State DuBois because of the big education in a small campus, the intimate classroom settings, and because it was close to home. I made an EXCELLENT choice in choosing the OTA program! Not only did I learn a great deal from my professors, they also helped place me in my current position working with the elderly (extremely rewarding and fulfilling). I feel that the professors went above and beyond the call of duty to help prepare me for the future. I know that they will always be there for me."
