Misericordia Occupational Therapy Department, 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA (2026)

04/24/2026

🎉Congratulations to Dr. Ellen McLaughlin! 🎉

We are proud to celebrate Dr. McLaughlin on receiving a well‑deserved service commendation award at the AOTA Conference, recognizing her outstanding service to the Accreditation Council of OT Education (ACOTE) and lifelong commitment to the occupational therapy profession.

Ellen’s dedication, leadership, and tireless advocacy have made a lasting impact on practitioners, students, and the communities we serve. Her service to OT accreditation exemplifies the core values of occupational therapy and inspires all of us to lead with purpose and compassion.💙💛

Please join us in congratulating Dr. McLaughlin on this meaningful honor! 👏

04/23/2026

💙Misericordia University OT at AOTA INSPIRE 2026! ✨

Proud to represent the Misericordia University Occupational Therapy Department at the AOTA INSPIRE Conference 2026 in Anaheim, California! 💛💙

Our faculty, students, and alumni came together to collaborate, learn, and advance their knowledge alongside occupational therapy professionals from across the nation. From innovative practice ideas to cutting-edge research and meaningful connections, this national conference highlights the power of lifelong learning and the strength of our OT community.
We are inspired by the shared commitment to excellence, evidence-based practice, and advocacy that continues to shape the future of occupational therapy. 💪🧠

04/21/2026

SO excited to arrive in Anaheim and share the impressive list of PPOTD graduates who will be presenting at AOTA Inspire this week! From our current chair and faculty, to faculty at other institutions and movers and shakers in neurodiversity, clinicial environments and ACOTE members, our PPOTD graduates excel!

If you are interested in joining this esteemed group by completing your online 24 credit PPOTD at Misericordia, send me an email. Ellen....at emclaughlin@misericordia.edu.

04/21/2026

💛💙 Paige Hittinger, OTS, recently completed an Honors Program capstone project titled “Handmade for Every Body,” which focused on creating inclusive, educational dolls using the medium of crochet to represent individuals who use assistive devices and live with a variety of health conditions. 🩼

This project aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability through play-based learning. The dolls were designed to reflect real-life experiences, including the use of mobility aids and medical equipment, in a way that is accessible and appropriate for children. 👧 🧒

Overall, this capstone shows how inclusive design can shape positive perceptions of disability.

04/21/2026

💛💙 Paige Hittinger, OTS, recently completed an Honors Program capstone project titled “Handmade for Every Body,” which focused on creating inclusive, educational dolls using the medium of crochet to represent individuals who use assistive devices and live with a variety of health conditions. 🩼

This project aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability through play-based learning. The dolls were designed to reflect real-life experiences, including the use of mobility aids and medical equipment, in a way that is accessible and appropriate for children. 👧 🧒

Overall, this capstone shows how inclusive design can shape positive perceptions of disability.

04/17/2026

Our ELOTD students finished their Doctoral Capstone Experience today and celebrated with a conga line! 💃 🪩 🕺

These students spent the last 14 weeks implementing their capstone that they spent the last year designing.

Next up, graduation ceremony followed by one last semester and the Doctoral Capstone Conclave. Their degrees with officially be conferred in August and then they will be ready to change the world! 🌎

04/16/2026

💛💙Happy OT Month from MUOT! 💙💛

To celebrate all the amazing things OT has to offer, MSOTA is holding a Spirit Week starting on Monday April 20th.

Make sure to participate each day to show your spirit for the OT profession!

04/01/2026

Toy drive! Haleigh Merriman, a doctoral capstone student, will be collecting toys to send to a local children’s hospital to ensure children have access to play during their time in the hospital.

Toys will be collected from 4/6-4/15. If you want to donate toys, a box will be located in the OPT lobby. Items must be brand new for safety purposes. Toys collected can include:

Coloring supplies
Play doh
Arts and craft kits
Hot wheels/small cars
Dolls/action figures
Card games
Bubbles
Small lego kits
Books

Please consider donating to this good cause. Thank you!

03/31/2026

On St. Patrick’s Day ☘️, doctoral candidate Kaitlyn Dixon hosted a Professional Clothing
Pop Up on our Misericordia campus.

As part of her capstone project, Kaitlyn is advocating for
the establishment of Catherine’s Closet, a clothing closet focused on providing students with access to professional attire to support their academic journey and future success following graduation while promoting sustainability efforts.

The pop up event gave students the opportunity to receive free professional attire, generously donated by Misericordia faculty and staff members, as they prepared for the Career and Networking Fair hosted by the Insalaco Center for Professional Development and Leadership.

Kaitlyn continues to collaborate with members of the University in bringing Catherine’s Closet to life!

03/24/2026

Haleigh Merriman, OTS, is completing her doctoral capstone at Misericordia University to provide healthcare students, healthcare professionals, and parents of children with disabilities education on switch adapted toys.

Her project is teaching people how to adapt toys for children with disabilities. There will be 1.5-hour individual learning sessions on how to adapt a toy starting 3/24 and running until 4/15. Some of the toys you can adapt include:

🧸 Light up and musical stuffed animals
🫧 Bubble machines
🏁 Animal racing games

Upon completion, participants will have a working adapted toy that they can use with their child or children they work with. Attendees will receive an academic badge for their completion of this workshop.

To sign up, scan the QR code or click the link below and pick a time slot available. Once you sign up, a list of toys you can purchase to adapt will be sent to you. Swipe to see some examples of toys that can be adapted! If you have any questions or concerns, email merrimah@misericordia.edu.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49ABA92EA7F9C52-60202139-learn #/

03/21/2026

🏀 Get ready for MUOT Intervention Madness 🏀

A daily bracket challenge where your picks earn points and crown the ultimate occupational therapy intervention expert.

Competition runs from March 23–April 6 and is open to all MUOT students. Scan the QR code found in the OPT lobby each day to see the games, pick the “winning” intervention, and rack up points.

Brackets are available outside Dr. Jayne’s office — pick one up and return it there each day for scoring.

🗓️Dates: March 23–April 6, 2026

🎓Who can play: All MUOT students (special incentive for senior OT students)

❓How to play: Scan the QR code for each day’s games, choose the intervention you think will “win,” and submit your pick.

🏀Points & scoring: Each correct daily pick earns points toward the leaderboard. Return your daily bracket to Dr. Jayne’s office for scoring.

🚪 Where to get brackets: Pick up printed brackets outside Dr. Jayne’s office.

☑️Where to return brackets: Return filled in brackets to Dr. Jayne’s office each day for scoring.

See you in the brackets! 🏀

03/19/2026

🌟 Advance Your Career in Occupational Therapy — On Your Schedule! 🌟

Are you a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), have a BS in a related health science field, or hold an associate degree and feel ready for the next step in your professional journey?

Or maybe you’re looking for a meaningful career change where you can make a real impact in people’s lives?

Misericordia University’s Weekend Format MS in Occupational Therapy Program is designed just for you.
✔️ Flexible weekend schedule
✔️ Supportive faculty
✔️ Pathways for those continuing their education or changing careers
✔️ A mission-driven program preparing compassionate, skilled occupational therapists

✨ Learn more at our next Virtual Open House!
📅 April 7 or May 5
⏰ 6:30–7:15 PM

🔗 Register today: https://www.misericordia.edu/occupational-therapy/occupational-therapy-virtual-open-house

Any questions, please contact the program director: Dr. Orley Templeton at 570-674-8154 or otempleton@misericordia.edu

Take the next step toward a rewarding future in occupational therapy. Your path forward starts here! 💙🧠👐

Misericordia Occupational Therapy Department

04/24/2026

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03/19/2026

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