Division of Applied Health and Wellness

Department Email: [email protected]
Department Phone: (315) 279-5670

Kristen Bacon, O.T.D., OTR/L

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Program Director

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Utica College
M.S.
Syracuse University at Utica College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Kristen Bacon began her career working as an occupational therapy assistant in 2003 while attending the weekend program at Utica College. After graduating in 2006 with a B.S. from Syracuse University at Utica College and M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica College in 2007, she then earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011.

Dr. Bacon has presented at several national occupational therapy conferences and currently volunteers for organizations including AOTA and NBCOT. She is working on AOTA’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and a Flipped Learning 3.0 Certification, Level I. Her professional focus includes the adult and geriatric populations with a special interest in TBI and orthopedics.

Dr. Bacon began her academic work as adjunct professor for Keuka College in 2014. Since then, she has continued on as full-time academician and is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Bacon was appointed to faculty development committee, is co-advisor for the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), a national occupational therapy honor society, and completed a three-year term for Sigma Lambda Sigma (SLS) advisor the college wide honor society.

Michele Bennett ’05 M’06, O.T.D., OTR/L

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Keuka College
M.S.
Keuka College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Bennett graduated from Keuka College in the first OT master's program. After college she worked in local hospital and rehabilitation sites serving children to older adults. As she transitioned from rehabilitation sites to teaching she completed her post-professional clinical doctorate at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 2013.

Dr. Bennett has presented topics at national conferences that have included international, interprofessional service learning, program evaluation/outcome reporting and fieldwork level I experiences in emerging areas of practice. Dr. Bennett is currently Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and remains active working with adults in their homes as a per-diem therapist for Visiting Nursing Association/Kaleida Health in the Steuben County region. Dr. Bennett joined the Arc of Yates board of directors for a three year term. 

Professional Interests

Adults with developmental disabilities, middle to older adult populations, and professional development of the OT students of Keuka College.

Jessica Chapman

Instructor of Occupational Therapy and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Cassie Hey ’04 M’07, D.B.H., M.S., OTR/L

Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Arizona State University
D.B.H.
Keuka College
M.S.
Keuka College
B.S.

Beth Jordan, O.T.D., OTR/L

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Utica College
M.S.
Syracuse University at Utica College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Jordan began her professional career as an occupational therapy assistant in 1989. She continued her education at Utica College and graduated with a M.S. in Occupational Therapy in 2007 and earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011. Dr. Jordan began teaching adjunct before transitioning from clinician to academician. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Keuka College.

Dr. Jordan has presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) national conference and actively volunteers through AOTA as a peer reviewer and member of Community of Leaders. She is also currently volunteering with the National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy as a pediatric subject matter expert on an exam development committee. Dr. Jordan is in the preliminary stages of engaging in scholarly research with faculty from three other universities with a focus on improving engagement and intentionality of learning in college students. She is an advisor for Keuka College’s Sigma Lambda Sigma Honor Society and is the faculty liaison and chair for the DRIVE Steering Committee. Dr. Jordan continues to work as a senior occupational therapist at Margaret L. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center in Syracuse, NY.

Carrie Roberts ’02, O.T.D., OTR/L

Associate Vice President for Experiential Education and Wellness
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Academic Credentials

Chatham University
O.T.D.
Keuka College
B.S.

Biography

Dr. Carrie Roberts has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years, with experience in various areas of  practice including the hospital and nursing home, with a greater focus in pediatrics birth-21 years old. She graduated from Keuka College with a degree in occupational therapy; she also graduated from Chatham University in 2013 with her clinical occupational therapy doctoral degree in which her research focus was related to children with Autism Spectrum. Dr. Roberts was an adjunct professor for Keuka College before joining the Occupational Therapy program full time in 2013.