Occupational Therapy

Editor: As summer approaches, many high school students are getting ready to graduate and head off to colleges across the nation. As a soon to graduate college student, who attended our own Fallston High School, I would like to suggest a major that is little known but highly rewarding: occupational therapy.  Occupational therapy was established as a profession in 1917 and has continued to grow to this day. Occupational therapists work with...

Editor: As summer approaches, many high school students are getting ready to graduate and head off to colleges across the nation. As a soon to graduate college student, who attended our own Fallston High School, I would like to suggest a major that is little known but highly rewarding: occupational therapy.  Occupational therapy was established as a profession in 1917 and has continued to grow to this day. Occupational therapists work with...

Ruth B. Wiemer, former chief of the division of occupational therapy for Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, died in her sleep Oct. 14 at Heron Point retirement community in Chestertown. She was 92. Ruth Brunyate was born and raised in Orange, N.J., graduating from high school in 1934. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1938 from Hollins College in Roanoke, Va. After graduating from the Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy in 1940, she was an occupational therapist at Seashore House in Atlantic City.

I am an occupational therapy student at Towson University, and I wanted to express my opinion concerning Kevin Rector's article, "Hospitals join to find beds for mental patients" (Feb. 19). Throughout the article, I saw reference to health professionals including nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists. However, I didn't see mention of occupational therapists. I don't know if you are aware that occupational therapists play a significant role in the treatment of patients admitted to psychiatric facilities.

Grants are available for students seeking degrees in physical and occupational therapy fields from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The maximum annual award is $2,000. The grants may be used for tuition, fees, room and board, and books. Applicants must be Maryland residents and enrolled as degree-seeking students in a professional physical therapy or occupational therapy, physical therapy assistant or occupational therapy assistant program that leads to a state license. Applicants must agree to work full time with disabled children.

WESTMINSTER - : Two new staff members have joined Carroll County General Hospital:* Dr. Andrew J. Surmak, a specialist in vascular surgery, has recently joined the medical staff.A graduate of the medical program of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, he completed his internship and residency at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery.Among his professional affiliations are membership in the Chesapeake Vascular Society, Eastern Vascular Society and the Baltimore Academy of Surgeons.

I am an occupational therapy student at Towson University, and I wanted to express my opinion concerning Kevin Rector's article, "Hospitals join to find beds for mental patients" (Feb. 19). Throughout the article, I saw reference to health professionals including nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists. However, I didn't see mention of occupational therapists. I don't know if you are aware that occupational therapists play a significant role in the treatment of patients admitted to psychiatric facilities.

Carol MacCubbin, of Forest Hill, and Olivia Haber, of Bel Air, were delegates to the National Federation of Republican Women's 26th Biennial Convention, which took place in October in Cincinnati, Ohio.Both are members of the Harford County Republican Women's Club.While attending the convention, MacCubbin and Haber listened to speeches by members of the cabinet and other GOP dignitaries; they participated in workshop providing training in fund-raising, leadership and public speaking, and took part in a "Women Candidate's Seminar."

Michael German , of Perry Hall, attends Lehigh University and has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship to India in engineering. He will travel abroad for the 2012-2013 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Rachel Hensberger , of Perry Hall, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in health and occupation from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa., in August. Lauren Maddox , of Perry Hall, has been granted the Veronica Founder's Scholarship at Alvernia University, Reading, Pa. She is studying occupational therapy.

Lori Fioramonti and William Delcher were happily married on April 30, 2004 at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Towson, Maryland. The reception was held at Kurtz's Beach in Pasadena, Maryland. Maid of Honor was Stacy Fioramonti, sister of the bride, and Best Man was Nicholas Delcher, brother of the groom. Lori is the daughter of Dr. John and Cathie Fioramonti, of Towson, Maryland. William is the son of Steve and Betty Oster and William Delcher, all of Baltimore, Maryland. Lori holds a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and is currently employed by Baltimore County Public Schools.

Michael German , of Perry Hall, attends Lehigh University and has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship to India in engineering. He will travel abroad for the 2012-2013 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Rachel Hensberger , of Perry Hall, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in health and occupation from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa., in August. Lauren Maddox , of Perry Hall, has been granted the Veronica Founder's Scholarship at Alvernia University, Reading, Pa. She is studying occupational therapy.

Five years ago, a Pittsburgh child named Sean Freiburger, diagnosed with the motor speech disorder apraxia, helped launch the first Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech. On Saturday, Sept.22, at 10 a.m., local mom Angela Baublitz and her daughter with apraxia, Emma Baublitz, will host a walk at Sandymount Park in Finksburg to help bring awareness to this disorder as well as raise funds to benefit the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America. Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a neurological disorder in children that makes it difficult or impossible to accurately produce sounds, syllables and/or words despite having a good understanding of language.

Their competitive natures led to lots of initial break-ups in college, but now playing sports together is a way to bond. Wedding date: May 12, 2012 Her story: Beth Gampel, 28, grew up in Columbia and is an occupational therapist at Genesis Healthcare. Her father, Howard Gampel, is a pharmacist at Food Lion in Odenton. Her mother, Joanne Gampel, is a retired federal social science analyst. His story: Adam Abell, 27, grew up in Pikesville and Owings Mills and is senior territory sales manager for Healthpoint Biotherapeudics.

Linda Schuberth, a senior occupational therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute who helped children overcome swallowing and feeding issues, died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, March 5 at her Homeland home. She was 56 years old. Linda Miller was born in Hazelton, Pa. She earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University and a master's degree from New York University. She was the director of occupational therapy at White Haven Center in White Haven, Pa., and at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She later held a similar post at United Cerebral Palsy in New York City.

The 6-year-old girl climbs off the couch and onto the living room floor, scooting toward the stairs. She props herself up, placing her left hand against the wall, then her right, and slowly makes her way up the steps. Her brothers and sisters wait on the second floor of their Southwest Baltimore rowhouse as her mother stands at the base. "There you go," Danielle Brooks tells her young daughter. Eight months after she was critically wounded by a bullet to the head, Raven Wyatt is home. This didn't seem possible last July.

Ruth B. Wiemer, former chief of the division of occupational therapy for Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, died in her sleep Oct. 14 at Heron Point retirement community in Chestertown. She was 92. Ruth Brunyate was born and raised in Orange, N.J., graduating from high school in 1934. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1938 from Hollins College in Roanoke, Va. After graduating from the Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy in 1940, she was an occupational therapist at Seashore House in Atlantic City.

Five years ago, a Pittsburgh child named Sean Freiburger, diagnosed with the motor speech disorder apraxia, helped launch the first Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech. On Saturday, Sept.22, at 10 a.m., local mom Angela Baublitz and her daughter with apraxia, Emma Baublitz, will host a walk at Sandymount Park in Finksburg to help bring awareness to this disorder as well as raise funds to benefit the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America. Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a neurological disorder in children that makes it difficult or impossible to accurately produce sounds, syllables and/or words despite having a good understanding of language.

Linda Schuberth, a senior occupational therapist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute who helped children overcome swallowing and feeding issues, died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, March 5 at her Homeland home. She was 56 years old. Linda Miller was born in Hazelton, Pa. She earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University and a master's degree from New York University. She was the director of occupational therapy at White Haven Center in White Haven, Pa., and at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She later held a similar post at United Cerebral Palsy in New York City.

Jamie Levine's basement looks more like a playground than a growing business. It has a floor-to-ceiling climbing wall. Bright gymnastic pads cover the floor. Four swings, including one with a trapeze bar, hang from the ceiling. Ryan Sutton, 8, jumps from swing to trapeze under Levine's watchful eye. What looks like play is, for Ryan, therapy. Levine is an occupational therapist and the owner of OT Ventures, a home-based practice. Levine's Ellicott City business opened two years ago. It is among a growing number of occupational therapy practices that specialize in sensory integration.

Lori Fioramonti and William Delcher were happily married on April 30, 2004 at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Towson, Maryland. The reception was held at Kurtz's Beach in Pasadena, Maryland. Maid of Honor was Stacy Fioramonti, sister of the bride, and Best Man was Nicholas Delcher, brother of the groom. Lori is the daughter of Dr. John and Cathie Fioramonti, of Towson, Maryland. William is the son of Steve and Betty Oster and William Delcher, all of Baltimore, Maryland. Lori holds a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and is currently employed by Baltimore County Public Schools.