I have spent all day revising another paper to be completed before I graduate from Thomas Jefferson University and receive my OTD (Doctorate in Occupational Therapy). I am nearly there, done, finished, and I can’t wait! I graduate Wednesday, May 29, but I still need to finish at least another draft of this paper, which I am writing in a format for submission to be published.
How did I get to this point in my career at this point of my life? Some people might think I am preparing for retirement, but to do what? I have a great job, love the people I work with and it keeps me fully busy. So here am I at 71 years old (yes indeed!) finishing one more step in the educational ladder, and I have now reached the top of my ladder for sure.
I never really planned on another degree. I began taking courses because I found an OTD program at Thomas Jefferson University that offered classes to help me with teaching, learning and research. All of these are areas I have wanted to learn more about over the past several years since I came to academia. The classes were all distance learning. I began to meet distance classmates who became my distance friends and will continue to be my distance friends. After taking a few classes, and getting to know some of my classmates and professors, it became clear I wanted to continue this fun!
Although I am not majoring in hand therapy with this doctorate, it has already improved my abilities in dealing with the work I do at Samuel Merritt University. I never saw this coming! But, I am patting myself on the back for going back to school!
Donna Breger Stanton is an ASHT past president (2005) and currently chairs the ASHT Awards Committee.
