Andrianna Cary (CScD ‘23) at the podium for her presentation at the Western Regional OT Spring Symposium in Las Vegas
Exciting things have happened to me professionally since joining Pitt’s online Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) in Occupational Therapy program in fall 2021. In early March, I returned home to Georgia after presenting a scoping review at the Western Regional Occupational Therapy Spring Symposium (WROTSS) in Las Vegas. I first learned about scoping reviews during the CScD Evidence Analysis and Synthesis course last summer. Our professors, Adjunct Associate Professor Roxanna Bendixen and Associate Professor Joanne Baird, told us we would have the ability to submit our scoping reviews developed in class for publication if we revised them. Even though it needed revisions, I decided to submit a proposal when I saw the call for papers through the Occupational Therapy Association of California’s (OTAC) website. I was elated to learn my proposal was accepted by the WROTSS which brings together the state associations of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Idaho and New Mexico.
Cary and AOTA President Alyson Stover at WROTSS
My journey in the online CScD program started by applying for the Pitt Department of Occupational Therapy Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice. I wanted more technical skills to help with my consulting business, CAM Healthcare Professional Consultants Corporation (HPC). CAM HPC helps school districts and health care organizations manage compliance, accountability, quality and professional development issues related to their occupational therapy services. The online Advanced Practice Certificate would improve my ability to build relationships with decision makers who are not occupational therapy clinicians, advocate for OT personnel and clients and utilize implementation strategies. The Advanced Practice Certificate would increase my credibility for stakeholders who value advanced credentials. The application process allowed the option to switch from the certificate to the doctoral degree after admission. However, I was hesitant to pursue the CScD degree due to being an older student with competing time obligations in my personal and professional life.
Thankfully, I eventually switched to the doctoral degree program. I changed my mind after reviewing the course descriptions for Conceptualizing and Assessing Quality Improvement (OT3300), Evidence Analysis and Synthesis (OT3100) and Evidence-Based Protocols and Practice Guidelines (OT 3200). I believed these courses would teach me how to be more systematic and methodical with my implementation projects.
I immediately saw the benefits of what I was learning in my consulting work. I used the knowledge for engaging stakeholders and implementing evidence by adjusting my OT jargon to speak with the Community Advisory Committee on Law Enforcement and Interactions with Special Education Students at Long Beach Unified School District. I also learned how delivering information can impact OT practitioner behavior in Program Director and Professor Pamela Toto’s class. For example, instead of saying, “Do this,” or “Don’t do that,” I now direct clients in how to become “models of excellence” in their professional behaviors. Furthermore, Professor Toto’s teaching in guideline and protocol development assisted with my role on a leadership panel of therapists to speak about current telehealth policy, best practices and service models at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s annual conference in 2023.
Without realizing it, my professional portfolio has expanded tenfold since joining the CScD student community at the University of Pittsburgh. All my professors, including Associate Professor Alyson Stover, Associate Professor Ketki Raina, Associate Professor and Chair Juleen Rodakowski, and Assistant Professor Cara Lekovitch empowered me to try new opportunities I would not have considered before entering the program.
In addition, I saw an article written by a previous certificate graduate, Katie Caspero, who is the owner of OT Graphically. She graciously spoke with me about the benefits she experienced from completing the program. We were both actively engaged in implementation of evidence activities before starting the program, but the program enhances those skills in a technical manner and provides credibility for stakeholders. Not only do I agree with her assessment, but I am glad I continued to pursue the doctoral degree as well. I see how seeking the CScD has filled in small and large gaps in my knowledge that I did not know were missing. I hope anyone considering the CScD takes the leap even if they are concerned with the time commitment as an older student with competing obligations. It will only enhance your contribution to the OT workforce regardless of your experience level.
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Written by Andrianna Cary (CScD ‘23), current student in the Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy Program
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Published March 27, 2023