Department of Occupational Therapy

Larry Snyder, Ph.D., OTR/L - Department Head, Associate Professor
email: lsnyder@tnstate.edu

Education:
-B. S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of WI-Madison, WI
-M. S. in Administrative Medicine from the University of WI-Madison, WI
-Ph.D., in Health Care Administration from Northcentral University - Prescott, AZ


Courses:
-Administration & Leadership     -Research     -Anatomy     -Biomechanics     -Physical Dysfunction

Research Interests:
-Perception of Quality in Health care    
-Cost of Health Care in the U.S.    
-Cumulative Trauma Injuries in the workplace

Experience:
-Over 25 years experience in a variety of clinical and community setting

Debra Smart, M.A., M.S., OTR/L - Assistant Professor Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
email - dsmart@tnstate.edu

Education:
-B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, IN
-MS. in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky - Richmond, Ky
-M.A. in Student in Counseling - Trevecca Nazarene University - Nashville, TN
-Aspirations to pursue doctorate in Counseling Psychology

 Courses:
-Foundations in OT    -Psychosocial Dysfunction     -Physical Dysfunction

Research Interests:
-Community Mental Health relative to pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations

Experience:
-6 years clinical experience

Stephen Penick, MS, OTR/L, CPAM, GCGIS - Assistant Professor
email: spenick@tnstate.edu

Education:
-B.S. in Natural Resources Management, UT Martin, Martin, TN
-M.S. in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicne, St. Louis, MO
-Doctoral candidate in Special Education, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Courses:
-Pediatrics     -Physical Dysfunction     -School Based OT

Research Interests:
Improving handwriting in children
Improving delivery of information through service learning

 Experience:
•16 years of clinical experience in pediatrics and hand rehabilitation

 

Christine Watt, MS, OTR/L – Assistant Professor
email: cwatt@tnstate.edu

Education:
- A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant, Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
- B.S. in Healthcare Management, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
- B.S. in Occupational Therapy, University of Southern Indiana
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counselor Training, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

Courses:
-Evidence Based Practice   -Physical Dysfunction


Research Interests:
Working with injured workers
Helping elderly persons age in place

Experience:
12 years of clinical experience as a COTA and OTR
Interdisciplinary

Cassandra Penick, MS, PT – Instructor
email: cpenick@tnstate.edu

Education: 
- B.S. in Psychology, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN
- M.S. in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

 Courses:
-Anatomy – Biomechanics – Neurology

 

Research Interests:
Improving therapy techniques for children with disabilities
The use of hippo therapy for treating individuals with disabilities

Experience:
12 years of clinical experience as a PT working in the areas of pediatrics and adults with disabilities.

Elisha Holt, Assistant Academic Fieldwork Coordinator/Office Manager, 615-963-5891, email: eholt@tnstate.edu

Education: BS - Interdisciplinary Studies