�鶹��Ƶ

Madison Denchy MSOT '25 OTD '27 has not only learned what she needs to know for future career success through her coursework, but she’s also been inspired by her professors to lead future OT students on their journey in the classroom, too.

So much so that her doctoral capstone project involves developing educational modules to help therapy practitioners better understand the value of incorporating everyday activities into hand therapy and explore ways to do so in their practice.

Before she eventually takes on a position as an OT professor, Denchy would like to practice hand therapy. Treating patients can involve anything from creating a splint for them to wear to developing a home exercise plan to help an individual return to their regular daily activities.

It was in high school, while on a job shadowing experience at a nursing home, that Denchy discovered OT was the path for her.

“I saw how people were able to make exercises fun [for the residents], be it by playing cornhole, throwing beanbags and things like that," she said. "I also liked the idea of working smarter, not harder, and OT lends itself to that in a way. You’re just trying to figure out what is the best way for this person to get back to doing what they want to be doing."

Her Level 2 fieldwork with Tower Health while working toward her master's degree is what solidified her interest in hand therapy specifically. Her goal is to eventually obtain her Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential through continued work in hand therapy.

Denchy has always been a helper at heart. Alvernia’s reputation for service is what attracted her to enroll, as community service is important to her. While pursuing her major, she continued to serve with the OT program outside of the U.S. A weeklong trip to Belize in Central America, one of Alvernia's many Study Abroad offerings, involved working directly with the community.

“In Belize, we got to work with the community there, and that was my first experience co-treating with physical therapy more independently," she remembered. "I had co-treated once before during Level I fieldwork, but Belize was the first time I felt more comfortable with the process and had a better understanding of my role as a clinician. I didn’t go with my buddies or anything, so it was very much an individualized experience for me. I got to put myself out there, to see what I’m capable of as a clinician.”

She also traveled to Dingle, Ireland, to study transcontinental occupational therapy and healthcare, and participated in the university's pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago in Spain.

While working toward her doctorate degree in the 16-month online program, Denchy works full time as an outpatient occupational therapist with Geisinger, gaining further experience in the hand therapy field.

“I split my time between hand therapy work with orthopedics, or I work with the outpatient department, where any diagnosis can walk through the door,” she says. “I’m very grateful to work with all different kinds of people with all different kinds of diagnoses."

Denchy feels confident in her ability to help patients through her practice because of what she’s learned during her time studying at Alvernia. She says it’s nearly impossible to point out a particular professor who has made a mark on her, as they all have. In the doctorate program, she is especially grateful for the leadership component, noting it's essential for her to take a leadership role in guiding her patients, and it will be in her future classroom, too.