By Dave DeFusco
OT Doctorate student Yoheved Zion demonstrates wrist stretching exercises for her daughter Elisheva.Joe, a New York City cab driver, had a serious injury. He crushed his index finger in a door, severing the tip of it. After surgery to reattach it, he was in immense pain. As part of his recovery, he sought out an outpatient hand clinic at East End Occupational Therapy in Massapequa, N.Y. Yoheved Zion, a student in the Katz School鈥檚 Occupational Therapy Doctorate program who was completing an internship at the clinic, was assigned to his case.
Yoheved鈥檚 first priority was to build rapport with Joe, to gain his confidence for the grueling rehabilitation that would take place over several months. When Joe first arrived at the clinic, his finger was so sensitive to the touch that therapy progressed very slowly. Still, he was motivated to recover.
鈥淗e was in real pain and doing his best to tolerate it,鈥 said Yoheved. 鈥淣ow I really know why we鈥檙e called therapists. Yes, we鈥檙e practitioners, but we must be attuned to how our patients are feeling in the moment and their motivation level to facilitate their healing.鈥
Under close supervision, Yoheved performed a series of assessments, which she learned in the Katz program, to evaluate range of motion, finger dexterity and gripping capability, and overall function in Joe鈥檚 hand. Yoheved鈥檚 treatment plan consisted of implementing an exercise routine for Joe by performing a series of techniques, including finger mobilization and stretching, on his affected hand.
鈥淭here were moments when I thought, 鈥楿h-oh, I hope I鈥檓 not pushing him too much or making him feel unduly uncomfortable in any way,鈥欌 said Yoheved. 鈥淚 remembered what Dr. Zesarae Bodie said in class: 鈥楻ead the room.鈥 I talked to him as I treated him鈥'Is this okay?鈥 or 鈥榊ou just tolerated that; good for you鈥欌攖o reassure and encourage him.鈥
Occupational therapists (OT) are skilled health-care professionals who work in many specialty areas, from neonatal intensive care units to skilled nursing facilities. The goal of all treatment is the restoration of function. OTs help people of all ages gain greater independence and confidence in performing the tasks of everyday living.
Located in the Rousso Building on 麻豆区鈥檚 Bronx campus, the Katz School鈥檚 Occupation Therapy Doctorate program was recently accredited for a full seven years by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, becoming the first fully accredited OT doctorate program in the New York metro area.
鈥淪even years in the first round of application is exceptional. It shows the confidence the accrediting body has in the program, our faculty and outcomes,鈥 said Dr. Paul Russo, vice provost at 麻豆区 and dean of the Katz School of Science and Health. 鈥淭he program aligns perfectly with the Katz School鈥檚 commitment to making our world smarter, safer and healthier.鈥
Yoheved likes that occupational therapy is client-centered and that she was able to tailor her interventions to whatever Joe wanted or needed.
鈥淚 love that it鈥檚 a strength-based profession,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking to see what clients can do and then build on that, to maximize their abilities. We analyze, assess and intervene to give clients the best life possible. It鈥檚 a very special role to play in a person鈥檚 life.鈥
At her husband鈥檚 encouragement and with her family鈥檚 support, Yoheved, a former schoolteacher, enrolled in the Katz program in September 2020. She said that going back to school at first was 鈥渟cary,鈥 given that she has six children ranging in age from infancy to elementary school. But her husband, Natanel, has pitched in, ferrying the children to and from school and social activities, tucking them in at night, and making sure that dinner is served. The Katz program, for its part, has also shown extraordinary flexibility.
鈥淲hat I love most about our OT program is the faculty support,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hether it was structuring a class a certain way or adjusting the timing of assignments, they鈥檝e always been willing to work with me. One time Dr. Alexandra Wagner came in on a Friday just to give me a test.鈥
At the end of her internship at the outpatient clinic, Yoheved had not only secured the admiration of her client, Joe, she was asked by another client to share her phone number and encouraged to apply for a job there after she graduates in May. She credits her Jewish faith for her ability to juggle marriage, graduate school and motherhood.
鈥淚n whatever I do, personally or professionally,鈥 said Yoheved, which means 鈥楪od is my glory鈥 in Hebrew, 鈥淚 hope to bring honor to God鈥檚 name. One day at a time. God鈥檚 going to get me there. Prayer is my guiding light.鈥
