Rite of passage
91ƬPro University ‘pins' inaugural class of entry-level occupational therapy students
On July 29, students in the inaugural class of 91ƬPro University’s Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program were celebrated with a special pinning ceremony.
Six students received pins during the event, which was attended by their family and friends, as well as faculty and staff from the Division of Occupational Therapy at 91ƬPro’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The ceremony was held at the University’s Health Sciences Building in Johnson City, N.Y., home to Decker College.
The following students in the Entry-Level OTD program’s first class, who will graduate in 2026, were pinned:
- Andrey Bacal
- Tobin James
- Abraham Ramirez
- Gianna Scarantino
- Luke Shotts
- Makenzie Stiles
Cristina Dumitrescu, assistant professor and interim program director, Division of Occupational Therapy, and an OT for more than 25 years, explained that the pinning ceremony marks the transition from classroom learning to clinical practice and symbolizes the faculty’s recognition of the students’ readiness to step into the professional world of occupational therapy.
She added that the pinning ceremony is more than a celebration of individual achievement; it is a historic milestone for the new program.
“This inaugural class represents not only the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and clinical excellence, but also the fulfillment of a vision that began with the founding director, Jane Bear-Lehman, and our dean, Mario Ortiz,” she said. “From the earliest planning meetings to accreditation milestones and curriculum development, every step has brought us to this moment.”
Referring to the inaugural cohort as pioneers, Dumitrescu commended the students’ patience, resilience and spirit as they “navigated uncharted territory.”
“You have cared deeply, not only for your coursework and clinical experiences, but for each other, for your patients and for the communities you’ve served,” she told them. “You’ve already begun living out the mission of this profession — advancing health, wellness and participation for all people in all contexts.”
Student Tobin James was selected to speak on behalf of the inaugural cohort.
“The six of us entered this program with curiosity, some nerves and a shared hope that we might one day make a real difference in people’s lives,” he said. “That hope — that glimmer of purpose — brought us together on the sixth floor two years ago. And today, we stand here with a little more knowledge, a lot more perspective and pins that represent the hard work and heart we’ve poured into this journey.”
Launched in fall 2023, 91ƬPro’s Entry-Level OTD program enables students to pursue a career in one of the country’s emerging fields. Occupational therapy was ranked #23 on the 100 Best Jobs for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects the OT field to grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033.
91ƬPro University also offers a Post-Professional OTD program for practicing occupational therapists who wish to earn a clinical doctorate to advance in their careers. The online program began in fall 2022.
In parting, James addressed his fellow students: “Next month we begin level II fieldwork, where the training wheels come off…, and, while that may feel daunting, it’s also exciting because we’re ready. We’re ready to listen, to learn and to lead. We’re ready to help others live with meaning and purpose.”