When Jenna Miller was a student at SUNY Jamestown Community College nearly 20 years ago, she didn't have the opportunities today's Occupational Therapy Assistant students have on the Jamestown Campus.
She and her classmates couldn't simply walk down the hallway from their classroom to a professional setting like the one that exists today at the Jayhawk Explore & Soar Occupational Therapy Clinic in JCC's Sheldon Center.
“I wish I had this when I was going through school because it's right here, it's right on campus,” said Miller, a 2010 graduate. “You get to immediately apply what you're learning in the classroom next door, right into the clinic space. And not every education has that opportunity. So it's really neat that we get to give that opportunity at JCC."
Miller recently returned to JCC as the clinic's senior project manager, connecting families with free professional occupational therapy services, guiding caregivers, and supporting OTA students and faculty.
Explore & Soar offers individual therapy sessions and playgroups for children. For parents and caregivers, it delivers education, access to regional parenting experts, and an outlet to talk with fellow parents.
“By connecting families with free occupational therapy services,” Miller said, “we provide children and families rich developmental support while also helping them feel confident in tackling their everyday routines and helping their children become as functional and as independent as possible.”
The clinic is overseen by a licensed occupational therapist and supported by JCC OTA faculty and students, giving students hands-on clinical experience early in their college careers.
Miller was once in their shoes.
"I had the opportunity to come to Jamestown Community College for free and I wasn't sure what direction to take," she said. "My uncle is an occupational therapist in Pittsburgh and he said, ‘You know what? I think your personality would like this profession.’ So, I kind of dove in feet first. In the first semester at JCC I wasn't quite sure, but as the program picked up and we got more hands-on opportunities, I really became passionate about occupational therapy."
After graduating from JCC, Miller earned a graduate degree from Gannon University. She has worked as a school-based occupational therapist helping autistic children and in skilled nursing facilities.
A certified nature-based pediatric occupational therapist, Miller also operates a private practice that provides outdoor occupational therapy services.
"If you are an occupational therapist, it's not just your job, it literally becomes your personality," Miller said. "OT is life. It's in everything that we do, which is why I love occupational therapy so much because it just makes sense in all the different parts of your life, no matter what stage of life you're in."
While the Explore & Soar clinic is a new setting for Miller, it allows her to continue doing the work she loves.
"I've been passionate and lucky enough to get to use all of my expertise and bring that awesome skill and knowledge to this setting," she said.
Visit sunyjcc.edu/OTClinic for more information about JCC’s Jayhawk Explore & Soar Occupational Therapy Clinic. Email OTA@sunyjcc.edu or call 716.338.1163 with questions.