Student of the Month Spotlight: August 2021
Morgan Castelbuono, Doctor of Occupational Therapy Graduate from Norwood, NJ.
Meet Dr. Morgan Castelbuono! Morgan is 2021 OTD summa cum laude graduate who is being recognized for her ability to consistently achieve high academic standards and go above and beyond for her peers. Morgan recently completed her Doctoral Experiential project – “The Developmental Processes of a Student-Run Clinic in Hampden County, MA to Promote Health Equity: A Focus on Funding” – which investigated the processes of opening a student-driven occupational therapy clinic and included development of important clinic documents and an evidence-based sustainability plan. She has also served as a co-investigator in numerous other research projects while enrolled at WNE, and has presented her research at regional and national professional association conferences. While at WNE, Morgan was a member of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity and the Interprofessional Student Alliance and participated in several volunteer opportunities such as, Center for Human Development AquaBuddies, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics Unified Basketball Tournament, to name a few. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 2017. Morgan was nominated for Student of the Month by her faculty advisor, Associate Professor Dr. Brittany Adams.
Interview with Morgan:
Why did you choose Western New England University?
I first heard of Western New England University at an Occupational Therapy Education Virtual Fair! I was impressed by the faculty’s clinical and research experience in a variety of topic areas. I also learned about how great and supportive the professors are as well as how the department values the opinions and evaluations of their students, which was all very important to me. Overall, it felt like the right place for me to begin my occupational therapy studies.
Please share your thoughts about the occupational therapy program at Western New England University.
I had a wonderful experience in the occupational therapy program at WNE. The professors are caring and supportive while still holding students accountable to be active participants in their own education. I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been able to pursue that facilitated both my professional and personal growth over the course of these past three years. Though challenging, I have learned so much and my passion for occupational therapy has only continued to grow.
What are your current career aspirations?
One of the amazing aspects about the occupational therapy profession is the endless possibilities of where it
can lead. I have several interest areas including mental health, pediatrics, and inpatient rehabilitation. I am also interested in exploring the option of travel therapy. Regardless of the setting I ultimately select, it is important to me that I practice in an environment that supports professional growth and development.
What advice would you provide to a student considering occupational therapy for a career?
The advice I would provide to a student considering occupational therapy is to get involved by volunteering with or shadowing occupational therapists in a variety of settings in order to gain exposure to the wide scope of OT practice.
Morgan’s Faculty Advisor, Brittany Adams, OTD, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, shared the following thoughts:
Morgan is a consistently excellent student. She is a student who faculty and peers alike have come to expect a lot from and who is held to high standards because of her ability to consistently achieve and always go above and beyond. Unfortunately, her consistency has led to a lack of recognition that she is absolutely deserving of. I had the pleasure of being Morgan’s faculty advisor and Doctoral Mentor during her time in this program. I have seen her transform from the quiet student in the classroom into a leader among her peers. Her leadership style is commendable as she is thoughtful and careful by gently nudging peers in the right direction rather than pulling them behind her. Morgan is a friend to all and I am so glad to have been able to get to know her during her time here. I know she will continue to do great things in the future when she is working with her clients and will be an incredible asset to the field of occupational therapy.
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