Dorie Milner Pease '57

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During my Westover years (1954-1957), I took a vocational interest test pointing out the career of Occupational Therapy. Because I never heard of the profession, I forgot about this until my sophomore year in college. A Columbia University Occupational Therapy recruiter visited on a career day, and I remembered the test from Westover. I needed to make up some science credits in order to transfer to Columbia, but the timing was perfect. Occupational Therapy was the right choice for me, and although I have been retired 10 years, I would be happy to advise a Westover Senior or an alumna about this wonderful profession in Physical or Mental Rehabilitation. I graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons with a BS in Occupational Therapy in 1963. Today an MA in OT is required.

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Occupational Therapy is a medically prescribed treatment which uses purposeful activities to promote independence in physically or mentally challenged individuals with treatment provided in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home care or private practice. Today a masters degree is required. I worked at the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Medical Center in New York City for 18 years where I specialized in vocational rehabilitation, research with adaptive equipment for high spinal cord injured patients, Cognitive retraining for patients with traumatic brain damage and strokes. I also had the unique opportunity to work at the connecting larger hospital when Aids became an epidemic in the early 1970s. While at Rusk, I was an adjunct professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Programs in Occupational Therapy, NYU School of Occupational Therapy and Downstate University School of Occupational Therapy. I also trained OT Students during their internships. Since living in Connecticut, I have worked at the Silver Hill Hospital, which is a noted Psychiatric Hospital; at a general hospital with a rehabilitation unit, and at a variety of Home care agencies which provide rehabilitation services. Today Occupational Therapists can specialize in hand therapy, in pediatrics working in the public school setting, or in hospitals, rehabilitation Centers or even in prisons. The choices are yours to make. It is such a rewarding profession which Westover ever so gently propelled me. I was a West and one of the Glee heads. Having retired 10 years ago, I I have become a Stephen Minister through our church; am a Hospice Volunteer with the home care company I used to work for, a board member of our local AAUW, sing in our church choir, and serve on our Church's pastoral ministry leadership team. I will always use the skills I learned in OT school.