graduate program: Occupational Therapy

Class of 2001 Newsletter

Laura Berlier Mayer

update on 11-5-07: lives in Indianapolis and has three kids: Isaac, Samuel and Paige. "Just thought I'd give a quick update. I've been working fulltime at a nursing home in Indianapolis while still keeping my foot in the door at Community Hospital East. My residents have grown on me. You know it's funny because when I told my friends and family I was thinking about working at a nursing home I got a common response of, "Do you think you'll like it? Don't you think it'll be depressing?" I wasn't sure how I'd like it but would reply, "It's pretty depressing to see someone in their 20's who's suffered a TBI in the hospital. I think I'll be fine." After being there 9 months I must say there are more positives than negatives in a nursing home. The staff members become family for many of the residents. I enjoy my patients with Alzheimers' as they are today... unlike the family I didn't have the heartache of watching them decline over years' time. I've kind of gotten numb in the last 6-7 yrs after all the cancer cases, devastating strokes and horrible car accidents. I'm able to be empathetic with people but also leave it at the door. I enjoy being able to be an advocate for my residents and for therapy. It's amazing because they confide things in us as therapists that they won't mention to any other staff members. I think I know the difference between us and the nursing staff. The residents are dependent on the nursing staff for their basic needs... bathing, eating, meds going to the bathroom. I can understand why there's a lot of burnout in that area; the residents are at their mercy. Therapists, on the other hand, while very necessary, we need our patients. We sweet talk them into working with us if we have to because during those assessments we have to get those minutes. The hardest part of my job is living up to all the expectations: the productivity standards, Medicare guidelines and budget restrictions... Longterm care was such an adjustment from the hospital... especially outpatient. OT is OT no matter where you practice... you keep adding to your bag of tricks over the years."
Tracy Blake Paskoff Update 9-26-06:
I am still working as a traveler, currently at
Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA.
I am working prn at an acute care hospital here, mostly doing neuro, ICU, and trauma.
Tricia Carroll lives in Hamilton Ohio, works for the Lakota School District. Update 5-13-08: This is the complete Carroll family: Lillian Grace who is 3 years old, Colton who is 4 1/2 and a half. and Addie who is 11 months. Tricia is expecting baby # 4 in October.
Allison Carter Dumont
"Joe and I got married in July of 2004. We have been blessed with an amazingly sweet son named Paul (born 10/24/07) and live in Cincinnati. I work for TriHealth, at SeniorLink and Bethesda North, 1-2 days/week. The rest of the time is "Paul time"-so far, it seems to be a great balance!"
Angie Corso lives in Cincinnati and is married. No other information available.
Nicki Embree Update July 2005: "Hi Xavier! Well, it's been a while since I've talked to many at XU. Not much has changed. I've been with my boyfriend Nick Martin for the last year and a half, just bought my first home (man is that alot of work!) and have 2 dogs (most will know Guss and Buddy is our new addition.) I continue to work for Rehab Resources as the head OT, Clinical Coordinator and now Coordinator of Rehab services for one of our nursing homes! Its alot of work - but its all with a wonderful boss and outstanding team! PS we're hiring!!!! I have been provided the oportunity to work in various settings; home health, SNF, LTAC, Acute care and Rehab. Locations we serve are including but not limited to: University Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, Drake Pavillion LTAC inside Christ Hospital, Good Sam, Community Multicare Center (SNF), Home health for various agencies (Mercy, Personal Touch, ANC, Deaconess). Marjorie P. Lee and Deupree (SNF) and much more!"
Laura Fong Feng update 11-28-07: "I recently moved back to Cincinnati, Ohio. I currently live in the Montgomery area and stay at home with our two kids, Hannah 3.5 and Timothy 22 months."
Linda Garrett Phipps update on 7-31-07: Here is a recent photo of Nathaniel. He is getting so big. I always felt that friends kids got big so fast but just assumed it was because I didn't see them on a day to day basis. I thought it would seem slower with my own child. I was wrong it seems to go even faster. I am changing jobs and will be working 2 days a week contract position with Warren County MRDD in their EI program. If you remember I always wanted to work in pediatrics so I decided to take a chance and change positions."
Ryan Gudhe Posted June 2005: "I am now living in Chicago, finishing up a Master's degree in Arts Management, and working for Actors' Equity Association (The nationalal union for professional Actors and Stage Managers). The arts were an area where I enjoyed hobbies and free time"
Heather Harris Ventor was living in Lexington, Kentucky, but recently quit her job at Cardinal Hill Hospital to become a traveling therapist. She will be working in Boise Idaho this summer. Update July 2005: I am still working for a traveling company. My husband, Andy, and I fell in love with Boise, ID last summer so we returned for another placement this summer. Our assignment here will not be completed until the end of August. We have completed assignments in AZ, OR, ID, and WA. Unfortunatley after 1.5 years my husband has decided it is time to return home closer to family. We will
likely return to KY at the end of this assignment. Nothing else is new here. No kids, just one spoiled dog".
Mary Helmsing Hoff

Update on 9-23-08: On August 15th Mary delivered Bridget Kathryn Hoff. She came 3 weeks early but was healthy, weighing 6 lbs 13 oz and was 20 inches long. Previous update: "I am loving life back home in St. Louis. I work full time at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, primarily on the rehab unit and I love it! When rehab is not full, I spend time in the NICU, PICU, and on the acute care floors."
Jillian Joseph Pelland Update 8-07-08: Jillian lives in the Akron area and is currently at stay at home mom. My daughter, Ella, is 3.5 years old now and my son, Owen, is just about a year and a half. I am expecting our third baby in November. We don't know if it's a boy or a girl...we like to be surprised! I am due the day after Thanksgiving. People keep joking that this baby will be our middle child cause I just love being a mommy (although it does have it's challenges!!). We'll see! I'd have as many as my hubby would let me have!
Mary Klei works for Cincinnati Public Schools, and has a son (born Oct. 2002) named Solomon. Update fall 2004:Terry and I moved to Fairfield last year and now have two little boys. Samuel was born in December of 2003. Big first birthday right around the corner. Solomon turned two in October. I am working on a private contract, providing OT services to two pre-school children at Children's Meeting House (a Montessori school in Loveland). It is an occupational therapist's dream and I have been very happy there. I still pick up PRN at Drake as well.
Kristen Knapik

no information available.
Cathy Lampe Witte works for Children’s Hospital – Mason. Cathy has just finished a two year term as the President of
the XUOT Alumni Association. Cathy married K.C. Witte in May, 2005. Avery Louise Witte was born May 24, 2007. Pictured at right are Ethen, Chandler, and Avery for Christmas 2007.
Melissa Lawson Reichle lives in Wilder, Kentucky and works for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Ft. Thomas.
Tina Leap

works in a nursing home in Northern Kentucky.
Kari Mergel Williams lives in Abilene, Texas with her husband who is stationed in the military there. Daughter, Avery Marie Williams was born March 21st, 2005.Update July 2005: "I am still in Texas, now a senior therapist on an inpatient rehabilitation unit at Hendrick Medical Center. I just finished my Master's degree in Rehabilitation Science from Texas Tech University. Update: December 2006: Addison was born @ 9:26 AM on Friday Dec. 8th at Hendrick here in Abilene. She was 6 lbs even and 18 inches long. She has lots of dark hair and dark blue eyes. Avery loves her little sister!" This picture was taken in Easter 2008.
Mary Murray Nester Update 9-24-07: "Andrew David and Olivia Lynn arrived in this world on September 22, 2007 at 4:30 and 4:37 a.m., respectively. Mary and Sean and the familiy live iin Fairfield and Mary works for Hand Rehab of Western Hills. Mary is working on an advanced masters degree in OT at the University of Indianapolis, and served as an adjunct faculty for the Xavier OT department in Fall 2006. The twins are big Xavier Basketball fans already.
Judith Ponder Touhey works at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
Christy Quinter Update on 8-4-08. "We just moved again; we're now at Fort Irwin, California for the next 3 years. Ron had tried to get a position in Columbus, Ohio, but the army offered him a really good position here so he couldn't pass it up. We're just South of Death Valley, halfway between Las Angeles and Las Vegas. We're slowly adjusting to the desert heat, only 102 degrees today! I just got my CA license and am planning on looking for a job here, but I want to wait until the kids are back in school and we get back on some sort of routine. Brad is going into 7th grade and Riley is starting kindergarten this year. School starts August 11th so they're both gearing up and getting excited. Hope everyone is doing well. Take care!"
Becky Trammel King was married in May, 2002. Becky works at West Park long term care in Western Hills.
Lisa Tucker

 

lives in Columbus, Ohio and works for Riverside Methodist Hospital in acute care.
Laura Tyson Peterson Laura is now Laura Peterson. She works for Rockford City Schools.
Jenny Velazco Lowe works for Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana.
Mindy Warthman Felger moved to Chicago and works at Rush/ Presbyterian/St. Lukes Hospital.Update on 5-18-06: Mindy and Jason Felger were married on April 29, 2006 at Dorado Beach Resort in Puerto Rico. Christine Smith Sedecki (OT Class of 2000) was matron of honor.
Kate Young and husband Miguel married in July, 2004 in Mexico. She works at Mercy Franciscan Mt Airy Hospital. Kate is currently the secretary for the XUOT alumni association. Kate is also scheduled to go with the OT faculty, OT students and 7 other area clinicians on a service learning trip to Guatemala in June, 2008.

Please send all your pictures and news to