Alumni Success
Dana Berthiaume, B.S.O.T., 1998
Midland County Educational Service Agency
Dana Berthiaume graduated from SVSU’s Occupational Therapy program in 1998, and now works as a therapist for Midland County’s school children. Dana is an Occupational Therapist for the Midland County Educational Services Agency.
“My work is wonderful and challenging. I love working in an educational setting, because I get to travel within close distances between all of the schools in my home county.”
For each of the student age-group populations (0-3 years, 3-6 years, and K-12), Dana provides evaluation and testing for such problems as developmental delays, autism, sensory integration, and many others.
Dana works one-on-one with children, and also develops individualized programs for specific children, parents, and classrooms. She provides training for overall development or feeding strategies; advice on special equipment that is needed; therapeutic listening; and sensory integration planning.
“I originally chose to major in Occupational Therapy because the degree gives you options for so many different kinds of work, but all are centered around helping and working with people.”
“The program was awesome. The professors are excited about what they teach, and they get students excited. The program is hard and there is a lot of studying, but you will learn everything you need to pass the State Board examination for your certification.”
“The best part about the OT program is that when you are admitted, you will meet all of the students who enter the program at the same time, and you will go through the entire program with them – it becomes like a second family.”
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Jamie Autrey
Occupational Therapist, Alpena
Mt. Mourentency/Alcona ESD
Jamie Autrey is a graduate of SVSU’s program in Occupational Therapy, and now works for the Educational Service District serving Alpena, Mt. Mourentency, and Alcona County school districts. She is a registered occupational therapist.
“This is my perfect dream job,” Jamie explained. “I work with all students who are aged anywhere from 0-26 years, and I get to travel to different schools within the service area and play with kids all day.”
“My job as a school-based occupational therapist is to provide kids with the accommodations necessary to allow them to learn and grow. At any one time there are between 30 and 50 kids who have some sort of special needs in their education.”
“For example, I am currently working with a 1st grader who has cerebral palsy and muscle spasms. She is unable to write and attend school in the same manner as other children, so my job is to review all aspects of going to school as she would experience them, and to recommend adjustments that allow her to attend school independently."
“An occupational therapist in a school setting determines such things as whether assignments must be adapted and in what ways; and whether assistive technology is necessary for such activities as walking through the lunch line, playing at recess, and socializing with other children.
Jamie describes her move into a professional role after graduation as, “not difficult. I completed two field work assignments while I was studying, one at Lansing Ingham County Regional Medical Center, and the other at a pediatric unit in Pawley’s Island, North Carolina."
“The knowledge and experience of the professors is SVSU's greatest strength. Even now, working as a professional, I have kept in touch with my professors, and they are still educating me.”
“The professors at SVSU give you the chance to develop professional relationships as well as friendships. The education you receive doesn’t stop when you graduate and get a job. They have a genuine compassion for students and teach you how to be the best possible professional.”
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