2011 Frieda J. Behlen Scholarship Award Recipients Announced
The NYU Steinhardt Department of Occupational Therapy is pleased to announce the 2011 Frieda J. Behlen Occupational Therapy scholarship recipients- Molly Schmidt and Rebecca Fishman. These two outstanding students have each been selected to receive a $2,000 tuition award for the summer 2011 semester.
Molly Schmidt entered the Occupational Therapy program intending to focus on pediatrics, but during her time at NYU she has developed an increasing interest in hand therapy. Challenging and engaging coursework, and a fieldwork experience at a hand therapy clinic, has led her to recognize the enormous impact successful hand therapy can make. She hopes to work in an acute adult rehabilitative setting after graduation, and to spend time at a sensory gym with pediatric clients, where she can continue her interest in pediatric care.
Rebecca Fishman began her career in marketing, but left to pursue occupational therapy out of a desire to work with children and an interest in helping patients pursue greater independence in their lives. She credits her fieldwork experience for giving her increased facility with a wide range of populations and diagnoses. Her immediate career interest is in pediatrics, but she hopes eventually to work with patients who are candidates for adaptive technology, as well as those with vision deficits.
The Frieda J. Behlen Occupational Therapy Scholarship is an endowed fund created principally by gifts from alumni of the occupational therapy programs at New York University. Income generated by the endowment is awarded annually to students who demonstrate superior academic achievement as well as financial need. With growth in the fund's balance from new gifts, the amount given out has been able to increase and will continue to do so. The award takes the form of a tuition aid applied towards summer courses. Professional Program second year and Post-Professional Programs students are eligible to apply.
The fund was named to honor the memory of Frieda J. Behlen, founder and longtime chair of NYU's Department of Occupational Therapy. Ms. Behlen was known for never hesitating to find monies, even if from her own pocketbook, to enable deserving students to complete their studies.
To contribute to this and other Department of Occupational Therapy funds please visit http://www.nyu.edu/giving/.