Kali Rodgers works at an acute-care setting at a level-one trauma center evaluating and treating multiple diagnosis to assess functional abilities and help clients increase their level of independence through activities of daily living in order to rehabilitate them to be able to go home, or assist in recommending their next level of care.
“My degree has given me opportunities to enter the field at a competitive salary offer, allowed me to train other staff, oversee occupational therapy assistants and climb the clinical ladder with three years of experience,” said Kali.
Choosing where to earn a Master of Occupational Therapy was an important decision. “I chose Messiah for its renowned reputation, the access to a cadaver lab for anatomy classes, the connection to the community, access to technology and its location in central Pennsylvania with a vast number of medical affiliations for job opportunities,” said Kali.
While studying at Winding Hill, Messiah’s recently renovated educational facility, Kali was able to make good use of the lab spaces, such as the full-size apartment to simulate activities of daily living, pediatrics simulation clinic, musculoskeletal lab and cadaver lab. Even though the lab and classroom spaces are large, Messiah’s small cohort size allowed Kali to make connections with students, professors, faculty, and staff at the facility.
Another plus, “Our professors came from different backgrounds with expertise in different areas, giving us different perspectives’” said Kali. “The professors were easily accessible and always willing to come in or stay late if needed for their students.”