graduate program: Occupational Therapy

Class of 2000 Newsletter

Heather Abernathy Driver	lives northwest of Dayton in Greenville and has a son.
Sara Baur	is now working for Cincinnati Public Schools. "I recently began to develop an interest in traveling overseas. This past May, I traveled to Ireland, Scotland and England for about 3 weeks with a few people that I used to work with at Summit Behavioral Healthcare.Since I will have the summer off from the schools, I am hoping to travel to Australia and New Zealand for the summer, where I plan to go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef."
Heather Basti Boettcher	is working for Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. UPDATE 5-13-08 Heather has two daughters, Hannah and Greta, who are pictured here.
Jason Burkhart	...is living in West Chester (and has a swimming pool in his back yard!) and works for a long term facility in Tri County. Jason and his wife have 2 boys- 3 and 4 years old, and they also, trying to adopt from butler county.
Stephanie Butler Emrick	Update on 4-30-08 I am working full time for Hamilton County Educational Service Center at Forest Hills School District. I had been waiting for an opportunity to get into FHSD for awhile since it's the district we live in...not to mention it's a very good one) I am serving the 3 elementary autism units and supervising 3 COTAs. It's very busy, but good. I have really enjoyed this year...although I am definitely ready for summer vacation! Our son, Joey is 2 years old now. Joseph "Joey" Howard Emrick was born on March 2nd, 2006. He is great...talks non-stop and has quite a sense of humor. He cracks us up everyday!! We've had some glimpses of those "terrible twos"...but so far, so good. We are still living in Anderson, but are quickly outgrowing our 2 bedroom house.
Shannon Covey Dickman	update 11-05-08: Shannon, Dave, and Abby are expecting a new arrival on March 25, 2008. Abby goes to St. Ignatius school and is a backstroke specialist on the Tiny Torpedos swim team. She is an absolute joy and is doing just wonderful! Dave works downtown at American Financial Group, I am still in adult acute care at University Hospital, working two and a half days a week and raising Abby the other days. I love my both my jobs! Shannon spearheaded a mini-clinical program between TUH and XU to increase practical education of OT students on acute care. "Never thought I would be an adjunct faculty of sorts!!"
Michelle DiCristoforo	lives in Cincinnati and has two sons and a daughter now.
Karin Dunkin Weiss	update on 10-22-07: We moved to Rockville, Maryland last April. My husband Andrew is in the Navy and was stationed at the National Naval Medical Center just outside DC. Our home is about a 10 minute drive to both NBCOT's headquarters and AOTA! We have a couple of additions to our family...Cecily was born March 2, 2006 and Dominic was born August 1, 2007. Two in diapers....we're staying quite busy to say the least! " Karin works at a nursing home in the Rockville area.
Nyda Fleming Kidd	update on 8-25-08: I've taken a rehab specialty position with Amedisys Home Health and it is much more flexible than being on the road all day. It's a lot of marketing. It's something I never thought I would do, but I love it. Madilyn is 21 months old and runs all day long. She keeps me active.. Madilyn Grace was born on November 13, 2006. The picture was taken when Madilyn was 4 months old.
Kate Glover	is living in Boulder, Colorado, and married a guy named "Rhett" who owns a large ranch in Wyoming. Kate is doing pediatrics and a variety of emerging practice area interventions, including a group for sex education for MR/DD population. On March 23, 2004, Kate wrote "I won Dayspring Employee of the Year at our Christmas party this year! I was really excited. I am currently teaching two classes now...one more related to social skill development and relationship foundations, and one more related to forming intimate relationships, etc. I am also excited about going to Sheffield, Massachusetts in august for training through the Autism Society of America. The program is called Son-Rise. I have also chartered a small creative business, which I call K8's Creations...mainly beadwork, small scale from a business standpoint, but still a fun outlet."
Stephanie GraefBachman	sends the following update I'm now in charge of all of the OTR students that come through all 6 buildings of the Aultman Health Foundation - placing them, making sure we have up to date contracts, etc." Stephanie is married to Frank Bachman of New Philadelphia, Ohio. Frank is a 2001 graduate of The University of Akron. He is employed as the quality assurance manager at Precision Component Industries in Canton, Ohio. The couple (pictured left) will married April 23, 2005, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Massillon, Ohio.
Barb Grooman	lives in Mason Ohio and works long term care for Smart Health Care, Inc. Update July 2005 "I am working in long term care at Lebanon Country Manor in Lebanon, enjoying it most of the time. My oldest son, Brian, will be a senior next year at university of Maryland as a physics/math major. Kevin will be a 2nd year student at the same university as an engineer".
Sarah Hanafee Defeo	Update on 3-4-08 The baby has arrived. Anthony Michael was born on March 02, 2008 at 1140 pm, weighing 8 lbs 2.4 oz 20 3/4 inches. "We feel like he has changed so much already! The whole family (including Lucy the dog) is adjusting well to our new little addition." Sarah married Marc DeFeo on Oct 15, 2004 (pictured right). He is a correctional officer. They have a house in the Boston area. Sarah was recently promoted to OT Supervisor for the Psychiatry program at the hospital she has been working at for several years. "My unit is 21 beds, but we also have a 28 bed geropsych and 12 bed adult psych unit."
Sara Hanley Moss	lives in Cincinnati, works for Jewish Hospital, and has two children. John David Moss was born on December 17, 2003, and Samantha Moss was born on January 1, 2007.
Julie Holscombach Lauder	Update July 2005, Julie writes "My husband, daughter and I have relocated to Greenville, South Carolina. He is working as a CHT for Clemson Sports Medicine (affiliated with Clemson University) and I am working for Greenville Hospital System in the outpatient peds program (Kidnetics). We absolutely love it up here - awesome environment and weather, nice people - overall great place to live and raise a family".
Josyln Jacobs Palange	is working in the Akron area. "I have been married for over a year now and loving it! I currently work for a contract agency in the Akron area in three different school districts and I am working a few hours a week at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation. I am so glad that I started with pediatrics and am still glad to be doing peds! So that's life here in Cleveland!" Update March 2005 "We just wanted to share our exciting news with everyone and some photos! Our little princess was born February 22, at 924 in the morning weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19 inches long. Her name is Kendall Julia. We are all adjusting to life with little sleep and lots of diapers and smiles! Here is a photo of our little joy!"
Suzanne Johnson Ditchen	Update on 6-13-08: We have a new baby girl! Elena Ruth Ditchen was born on May 17, 2008 and was 7 lbs 3 oz and 18.5 inches. Emma Grace will be 2 years old in September so I have my hands full, but wouldn't change a thing! I'm still in home health, but I work for Alternate Solutions HomeCare in Cincinnati. For now, I've dropped down to working PRN a couple of days a week so I can spend time with my girls. They're only young once! :) "As for my career, I am working in home care for the Visiting Nurse Association in Cincinnati. It's the best career move I've made. Right now, I'm the only full time OTR at the VNA which keeps me very busy.
Susan Kampinga Heyob	Susan got married in June, 2002 and lives in Villa Hills, Kentucky. She is working part time at Redwood Rehabilitation Center in Northern Kentucky. Susan has two children; a son Mason Patrick Heyob was born in January, 2005, and a daughter Ellie. Update 6-23-08 "Mason and Ellie are doing well. Ellie just started crawling, which has opened a whole new world for her and a bit of craziness for me. My main goal for most of the day is to keep her from terrorizing her brother. She is known as the little monster (a nickname Mason gave her) that eats Thomas the Train and knocks down all of the Leggos towers and houses that Mason builds. She is starting to pull herself up now on just about every surface that is two feet high. She has been lots of fun. Mason is doing well too. He is three and half now and a great brother to Ellie..sometimes a little bit too helpful, but he loves her to death."
Sara King Graf	update on 12-07-07 Nathan arrived in February, 2006. Matthew was born on May 17, 2004. We are living in Indiana. Here is the boy's first snowman. The 2 boys play great together, but they definately keep me busy. I am still working 3 days a week at Dearborn County Hospital, treating both kids and adults in an outpatient setting.
Patty Knee	Update on 8-4-08: "We are moving to Savannah, GA on August 11th. My husband grew up there and we both hate snow/cold weather. We went down on vacation in June for a class reunion and a friend of my husband is married to a SLP who knew of a home health agency looking for an OT. On July 3rd, Amedysis offered me a job so here we go! So...anyone looking for a house on the west side of town?" Patty has a daughter, Hannah born 12-14-01. Hannah is pictured right.
Heidi Mueller Zimmer	update on 1-22-08 "Things with me are going well. My husband PJ and I live in South Bend as he is completing his MBA at Notre Dame. We moved here in August of 2006 in order for PJ to start the program. He finishes in May and has accepted a job with Whirlpool which is in the St. Joe/Benton Harbor area of Michigan. We'll live in South Bend and he'll commute about 35 min each way, not bad. I work for First Steps and specifically the Logan Center here in South Bend. I love it. I'm part of their building blocks (early intervention) team, and I do home visits in South Bend and the surrounding areas. I enjoyed Ft. Hamilton and adult rehab when I was in Cincy but love the kiddos and am really happy to work in this environment."
Karen Payne Ronningnen	was married in April 2003. She is working at Jewish Hospital in acute care. Karen and husband Jeff live in Hyde Park. Karen & Jeff now have two beautiful daughters, The first one, Madeline Grace is pictured at right. She was born September 16th, 2004. Second daughter, Alex, was born April, 2006. Update on 10-6-07 Madeline is now in preschool!! Alex is doing well, she is a daredevil... no fear in that girl. Jeff is extremely busy but doing well. My mom is still working but with a new nursing home in Batavia (close to her home) Dad & Cyn are doing more remodeling, Charlotte is doing great 87 & still kicking!!
Tara Prater	update on 8-16-07 Tara lives in Maysville Kentucky and is the director of rehabilitation services at Ohio Valley Manor. She recently received certification in the NDT. Tara is working with patients in about all areas pediatrics through First Steps, nursing home, home health, and probably inpt/outpt at a small local hospital. She has two daughters Victoria and Cayce. Husband "Kelly" is a police officer for a local police department. Tara would like everyone to e-mail her at tprater2000@yahoo.com.
Debbie Schutzman Dobbelhoff	is working part time in the school systems for the Rehab Continuum. Debbie and Dave are expecting their second baby in February 2007. Their first child, Katie Elisabeth Dobelhoff was born on 4/30/04. Debbie and Karen Payne Ronniger share childcare options, so Katie Elisabeth is best friends with Madeline Grace Ronniger. Update 3-5-07 He's finally here! Benjamin David Dobelhoff was born on 2/27/07 at 206pm. He was 8lb1.6oz and 20.5 inches long. Katie is a big helper and doing great with such a big change. We love visitors if anyone needs a 'baby fix'.
Matt Schwendeman	Matt is working for Children's Hospital in Cincinnati and is supervising the OT program at their psychiatric hospital sattelite in College Hill. Matt and his wife, Jamie now live in Mt. Lookout. Update This is Lucy Marie Schwendeman (on the left) who was born on Feb. 15, 2007, and their son George Edmond Schwendeman who was born in May, 2008. The pix is Halloween 2008, where the kids were dressed as "skunks".
Christine Smith Sadecki	is still living in Florida, with her parents living only 5 minutes away. Ryan Michael Sadecki was born on Monday November 7, 2005. Update on 12-17-07 updated pictures of the family. "Leah Christine Sadecki was born Friday November 16, 2007. Ryan has adjusted well and just loves his new sister! He loves kissing Leah and brings her toys, although he tends to pile them on top of her when she cries, but he's learning. I can't believe sometimes I'm a mom of 2! Time sure flies and we are so incredibly happy and blessed. I am working 3 days a week doing contract work for the Early Steps Intervention program. I do all home visits in my area where I live for the kids 0-3." This picture is from Easter 2008.
Jackie Staugler Renegado	update on 1-16-06 I just wanted to let you know that in November 2005, I married Bob Renegado. We currently live in the Dayton area, and I am still working at the MVSERRC. Happy New Year!
Darcy Tharp Rockwell	lives in Madeira and works for Genesis HealthCare. She was married in June 2002. These are her two children, A.J., and Addie.
Mollie Vail Moore	sends the following update on 3-8-08 "here is our exciting news.....Gavin Joshua was born on December 30, 2007! He was 8 pounds 13 ounces and 21 inches long. He is such a sweet baby, and other than being exhausted, everyone is adjusting well. We are definitely staying busy! I am a full-time mom and having a lot of fun with it. Jamie and I adopted our first two children, a little girl named Caryes Elaine who is 4 and a son named Wesley who is 2 years old. We are living in Lakewood Ranch, a fairly new development just east of 75 near Sarasota.
Amy Wallace	is living on Lake Tahoe in California and working at Barton Memorial Hospital. " Work is going great! I'm currently doing outpatient hand therapy and help out on the acute floor as well. I have also supervised a Level 2 student. I recently bought a house. I'm dating someone special, Tito, and things are going really well. He's in school for PT." Any is taking the CHT exam in November 2006.
Sara Weinstein Oravecz	got married to Marc Oravecz (O-rah-vis) August 31, 2002 and live in their hometown of Copley, Ohio. I'm now working at Akron Chihldren's Hospital and loving it!! I'm training in the NICU and work both inpatient and outpatient. update on 2-10-06 I just wanted to share with you my new arrival. Evan Mitchell Oravecz was born on January 27, 2006 and weighed 7 pounds exactly. We are all doing well and having fun learning about each other. Hopefully I'm raising a budding Musketeer!!

Please send all your pictures and news to Millerg@xavier.edu