PC OTD student Alycea Graham presenting her poster, “Occupational Therapy Services for Youth in a Juvenile Correctional Facility,” at the annual S.C. Occupational Therapy Association conference in Greenville, S.C.

Presbyterian College’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) Program made a strong impression at the 2025 South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (SCOTA) Conference, held Feb. 28-March 1 at the AC Hotel Greenville.

PC students and faculty had the largest contingent at the annual event, which brought together nearly 250 occupational therapy professionals and students from across the state. The conference serves as a key opportunity for continuing education, networking, and research presentations.

Fifteen OTD students presented and discussed their professional posters, while six others joined their professors in delivering two separate presentations. Their work highlighted innovative and meaningful research, reinforcing PC’s reputation as a leader in the field.

Dr. Moni Keen, director of PC’s OTD program and SCOTA’s Special Interest Section Chair for Mental Health, expressed her pride in the program’s turnout and contributions.

“I cannot say enough amazing things about the students and faculty presence at the annual South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Conference,” Keen said. “Many comments were made regarding how the PC OTD students are producing creative, unique, and meaningful doctoral capstones which will impact the profession for years to come. To say that I was proud is an understatement – we made a significant impact on this year’s event!”

Students who presented were:

• Madie DeGenaro – The Relationship Between Interoception, Attunement, and Social Interaction on a Child’s Development of Self-Regulation
• Zayn DeAndrade – The Value of Cognitive Fitness and Dementia Education in Assisted Living Facilities:  An Occupational Therapy Perspective
• Karina Antonio – Evaluating Occupational Therapy Interventions for Food Addiction in Post-Bariatric Care: A Telehealth Approach
• Angela Karasev – Application of Robotic Pets in Occupational Therapy: Exploring Interactions for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments
• Britney Lee (Investigating Inequalities in Health Care Access Between Rural and Urban Communities: A Systematic Review From an Occupational Therapy Perspective)
• Jenna Hare – Investigating the Functional Outcomes of Patients Post Rotator Cuff Repair
• Olivia Adams – The Benefit of Education for Occupational Therapy Services in Kinship and Family Preservation Care
• Kiana Broughton – The Role of Occupational Therapy in Addressing Aspects of Decreased Mental Health/QOL in Adolescent and Young Adult Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Alycea Graham – Occupational Therapy Services for Youth in a Juvenile Correctional Facility
• Krissy Harrelson – Improvement of Equine-Assisted Therapy Sessions by Incorporating Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)  in Pediatrics Who Have Experienced Complex Trauma
• Brooke Lyerly – Addressing Menstrual Hygiene for Adolescent Females with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Applied Behavior Analysis Setting:  An Occupational Therapy Perspective
• Claudia Newsom – The Impact of Nutrition Education and Hydroponic Agriculture on Mental Health in Food-Insecure Environments: An Occupational Therapy Pilot Study
• Nubia Vasquez – Evaluating the Impact of Postpartum Depression Education on High-Risk Populations:  An Occupational Therapy Perspective
• Graceanna Sessions – The Role of Occupational Therapy in Improving Sleep and Quality of Life in Adults with Dementia Through Caregiver Education
• Addison Powell – Enhancing Pediatric Development and Educational Access in Rural Communities: A Continuation of the While You Grow Initiative

PC OTD student Addison Powell presenting her poster, “Enhancing Pediatric Development and Educational Access in Rural Communities: A Continuation of the While You Grow Initiative.”

Students presenting with faculty members included:

• Kylie Mangum and Amy Clark with Dr. Allie Turner – Supporting Neurodiverse Learners in the Classroom
• Sean Duncan, Emma Wiford, Briana McCalla, and Grace Howell with Dr. Christine Boone and Dr. Moni Keen – Workload vs. Caseload: A Paradigm Shift for South Carolina School-Based Occupational Therapists