Occupational Therapy

Here is a look at current faculty teaching in the Division of Occupational Therapy.

Vicki Smith Ed.D, MBA, OTR/L:

Professor and chair of the OT Program. Dr. Smith completed a doctorate degree in teaching and learning in higher at the University of Tennessee in 2002. She graduated from Washington University in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and Gannon University in 1997 with a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Her professional career has been providing occupational therapy services to individuals with physical disabilities and administration, although she also has practice experiences in acute and long-term mental health.  She has a strong interest in developing techniques to assist the process of transitioning students to professionals in the field of Occupational Therapy.  She has 2 workbooks published by the American Occupational Therapy Association based on clinical student development process.  During the summer of 2004 Dr. Smith served as a representative of the OT delegation in China sponsored by American Occupational Therapy Association and led a field experience of 23 faculty and students to China in 2008.  She is currently a member of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.  Dr. Smith’s current research is in the area of developing teaching tools for new faculty members entering the higher education academic teaching environment.

Carmela Battaglia, Ph.D: 

Director of Graduate Services & Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Battaglia earned degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo (B.S.in Occupational Therapy), the State University College at Buffalo (M.S. in Exceptional Education); and the University of Pittsburgh (Ph.D., Epidemiology).  She joined the OT faculty at Keuka after teaching at the University of Pittsburgh for the 18 years.  She received the Academic Educator Award in 1999 from the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association.  Her area of practice is pediatrics specializing in rehabilitation and school-based practice.  As a trained Literacy Volunteer, she provides literacy training to adults.  She also serves as a Board member for the Literacy Volunteers of Ontario County and is on the tutor training team.

Thomas K. Dickinson, Ph.D:

Associate professor with degrees from Syracuse University (B.S., Biology), Barry University (M.S., Biomedical Science) and Penn State University (Ph.D., Neuroscience). He teaches several “background” courses for the OT program including Anatomy & Physiology, Applied Anatomy and Neuroanatomy. Tom works closely with the New York State Chiropractic College to provide OT students with a gross anatomy experience.

Peter M. Talty: 

Peter Talty has been an occupational therapist for over thirty-seven years, and has practiced OT in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, a hand therapy clinic, home care, skilled nursing facilities, school systems, factories (ergonomics), and community agencies.  His practicing of OT has often been combined with teaching.  Prior to joining Keuka in 1987 he taught at the University at Buffalo, and has served as an Adjunct Professor at D’Youville College in Buffalo.  Until 1997 he was also the owner and President of OT Works, PC a private OT practice serving numerous agencies in the Western New York area.  He concentrates all of energy now in his academic post, and strives to actively engage all students at all times in all of his classes.  His effectiveness in teaching is evident in his receiving the Outstanding Teacher award for the School of Health Related Professions at the University at Buffalo in 1980, and the Professor of the Year award at Keuka College.  His present teaching responsibilities are focused on intervention courses where students are given ample opportunities to practice clinical skills prior to working with actual clients.  He is constantly seeking to create learning experiences that build knowledge and skills with an emphasis on “real world” applications, but that also build the confidence in each student.

Carolyn Teter, MS:

Ms. Teter earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from D’Youville College.  Her area of expertise is healthcare management.  She has worked with diverse teams in hospitals, long term care and outpatient environments.  Ms. Teter joined the faculty on a full time basis in January 2008 and looks forward to integrating her work experiences into the academic experience.

Jean N. Wannall: 

Jean was recently granted Professor of Occupational Therapy beginning the fall of 2008.  She is presently serving a dual role at the college including academic fieldwork coordinator and teaching full time. Part of her role includes making site visits to the many facilities that provide educational experiences for our OT students.  Jean works collaboratively with the Central NY Fieldwork Consortium to provide continuing education credit as well to the FW educators.  Here at Keuka she has just completed a three year term on the Professional Standard’s Committee where she served as the chair during the last year.  Outside of Keuka, Jean serves on the G.I.F.T.S. Board that provides camping experiences for children with disabilities and their families.  This opportunity provides experiential hands on learning for interdisciplinary students here at the college.  Jean is actively working to earn her doctorate at Chatham University.