Salus Phi Theta Epsilon Chapter Recognized by National Organization

Phi Theta Epsilon (PTE) is the national honor society for occupational therapy (OT) education. PTE recognizes and encourages scholastic excellence by supporting scholarly activities, providing opportunities for continuing education, and encouraging information exchange between current members and alumni.

The Delta Mu chapter of PTE was founded at Salus in 2014, under the leadership of Andrea Tyszka, OTD, MS, OTR/L, SIPT, OT associate professor, and is one of 142 active chapters across the United States. Membership is offered to second-year OT students who demonstrate superior academic achievement during their graduate coursework and who are recognized for their scholarly potential upon graduation. Sharon Marcy, OTD ‘23, MS, OTR/L, assistant professor of OT is the current PTE faculty advisor. 

This past January, the University’s Delta Mu chapter was recognized in the national PTE “Scroll & Pen” newsletter for their scholarly work. During the fall semester, the Delta Mu Class of 2024 members worked in small groups to research and synthesize current legislative efforts taken on by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), including orthotic and prosthetic reimbursement, telehealth expansion, the licensure compact act, and new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding for caregiver training. Chapter members discussed opportunities and challenges associated with these legislative matters facing the OT profession and how these proposed changes and updates may impact their future clinical and research practice. 

“Being proactive and staying up to date on current issues and hot topics is important to make real, lasting changes to every career field,” said Kendall Johnson ‘24OT, PTE Delta Mu chapter president. “This project allowed PTE members to initiate and research topics relating to their future in occupational therapy.”

Johnson decided to join the chapter to gain more time and experience with her classmates on campus. As a two-year program, Salus OT students spend six months of their time in graduate school off-campus on fieldwork rotation assignments. She hoped to gain more leadership and research experience and to expand her understanding of OT topics with which she may have not already been familiar. According to Johnson, PTE gave her more confidence as a healthcare provider as she prepares for her professional career. 

The Salus University PTE chapter will welcome its 10th cohort of students this summer, and Johnson shared her advice for future members, “my advice would be to give PTE a chance and don't overwhelm yourself by what could be accomplished,” she said. “PTE membership and collaboration does not last long for OT master’s students, as we only have one semester together to plan and create fundraisers and projects, so just be sure to simplify your goals!” She continued to mention that department advisors and staff assist and help in any way possible. “Just do your best, and appreciate the time you have as a member, it's short-lived on campus,” she said.