Where Are They Now: Lauren DeAngelo, MSOT ‘23

While a student in Salus University’s Occupational Therapy (OT) program, Lauren DeAngelo, MSOT ‘23, also had a part-time restaurant job. During one of those restaurant shifts, she injured her hand bad enough that it required surgery.

The incident just happened to coincide with her Level One field work where she was able to observe hand therapy.

“I was able to gain a unique perspective by experiencing my own hand injury while simultaneously learning how to assist others in recovering from similar conditions,” said DeAngelo.

Now she’s a hand therapist for Novacare Rehabilitation in Newark, Delaware and is currently in a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) mentorship program working toward becoming a CHT. And more recently, she’s been asked by Salus to be a lab instructor for MSOT students in the Orthotics and Modalities course at the University.

Originally from Haddon Township, New Jersey, DeAngelo earned an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences from Drexel University. She had originally wanted to become a physician assistant (PA) but during her six-month co-op job at an in-patient rehab hospital, DeAngelo got to see some OTs working with patients.

“I was just super-inspired by their creativity and what they were doing with their patients. I connected to them the most,” she said. “After looking through and seeing how many different routes you can take in this field, I was sold.”

Because of an OT articulation agreement between Drexel and Salus, DeAngelo applied and was accepted to Salus.

“The interview (at Salus) was what sold me and talking to the different faculty during the interview process. They were just so genuine and really down to earth. They were excited to have students come to Salus and be a part of the Salus family,” said DeAngelo. “I had interviews with other programs and was accepted to other programs, but Salus was the one I felt at home with.”

Her time in the OT program provided her with the exact training and skills needed to go out into the professional OT world.

“The faculty was fantastic. They really embodied what I believe occupational therapy to be. I had some personal and health issues throughout my time in the program and the understanding and support I got from the faculty was fantastic,” said DeAngelo. “We were treated as adults. The faculty respected you and your time, but they expected a lot from you in return. I think that prepared me for the expectations that are on me now.”

The hand therapy clinic she is working at in Delaware is currently in its infancy, according to DeAngelo, and she is’s looking forward to growing along with it.

As far as the upcoming merger between Salus and Drexel, DeAngelo said that she learned about it from her father, Matthew DeAngelo, who is Drexel’s Deputy Chief Investment Officer.

“I think it will open a lot more doors and opportunities. If anything, the networking will be great,” she said. “There are a lot of great faculty members at Drexel. Having those connections to such a large institution and then adding to it the quality of Salus is a great combination. I don’t personally see any downside.”

When she’s not being an OT, DeAngelo enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending live music events, and is currently teaching herself how to rollerblade.

“Actually, I’m trying to teach myself how to stop on rollerblades,” she said. “I know how to go, but I have to learn how to stop.”