Phyllis ImadeUniversity of Rochester:
Brain and Cognitive Sciences
New York University(NYU)
Occupational Therapy
Most challenging OT courses:
Neuro- Rehab and Kinesiology
“Some women fear the fire, some simply become it”- STRONG WOMEN.
Phyllis Imade is one strong woman that I know. Phyllis and I met in the summer of 2018 in Riverdale, Bronx. We met on the first day of our summer camp jobs at ESF Camps at Riverdale Country School. After orientation ended, we hopped on the same bus together and headed home. Coincidentally during our conversations during the bus ride, I asked Phyllis what she studied, and she said,” I am a first-year student at NYU-Steinhardt studying Occupational Therapy.” At that moment, I thought it was only faith because I had just graduated, and I was completing an Occupational Therapy certificate so that I could apply for graduate school. From that moment, Phyllis became the mentor that I never thought I would have. She told me all about the OT journey, expectations, classes, New York City life, fieldwork, and navigating life as a full-time graduate student in a big city.
Phyllis did not know that she wanted to study occupational therapy (OT) during her undergraduate years. Still, as she progressed into her junior year, she started researching a clinical field that would allow her to be in the clinical area while working with a hands-on approach. Phyllis went on to do a more extensive research during her spare time in the summer. She discovered that she somehow felt that occupational therapy was an exciting profession. Phyllis continued her journey to make sure that OT was what she wanted to study by shadowing an OT and researching the various areas that occupational therapists can practice. She was intrigued when she discovered that OT works in pediatrics, neuroscience, mental health, and outpatient clinics. Phyllis enjoyed the opportunity to shadow an OT, and this solidified the deal for her. The experiences she had garnered through her volunteering helped her to see that she wanted to help people and care for them in every way possible.
While occupational therapy has many facets, Phyllis hopes to work in Pediatrics, Acute, or Sub- Acute practice. Occupational Therapy has taught Phyllis a lot; OT is a very Caucasian profession. There is not as much diversity in the job, even though it is evolving in terms of culture. She believes that the occupational therapy workforce does not reflect the population where most OTs work. Most minority groups benefit from many occupational therapy services but rarely see an OT who looks like them. Some may ask, why does this matter? It matters to see that the profession is evolving regarding race and culture. Back in the 90s, only a few occupational therapists were of color. It is still very similar today. I hope to see many other OTs of color entering the profession and creating a sense of change in terms of race and ethnicity.
Being an occupational therapist is not an easy journey; according to Phyllis,” you need to have an open mind, be passionate about your patients and know that it can become overwhelming. But, if you love what you do, you will be just fine.”
