Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) held a commencement ceremony Saturday for 140 master’s and doctoral degree students from various healthcare specialties. The ceremony included the first class of 30 graduates of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program.
“RMUoHP has taken the best of two worlds, school speech pathology and medical speech pathology, and created a versatile program providing the foundations necessary for success in any setting,” said Stacy Mathew, MS-SLP graduate student. “Some of my most valuable life experiences came from my time at RMUoHP. My experience was charged by determination and endurance to look at any situation positively knowing that whatever challenges I am required to face, I already have what it takes within me to overcome.”
Dr. Richard P. Nielsen PT, DHSc, ECS, and founding president of RMUoHP, encouraged students during commencement, “As you go forward may you through service – unconditional service to others – may you through innovation and ideas, may you through the quest for leadership, go forward to make this world a better place than when you found it.”
During Saturday’s commencement, RMUoHP students participated from the following degree programs:
- Master of Science in Health Science
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Science in Health Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
The commencement address was given by RMUoHP Outstanding Alumna Award recipient Dr. Rebecca Durham Reder, senior clinical director, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
“Today I challenge all of you to become an influencer,” said Reder during her commencement speech. “Instead of seeking serenity when you encounter a massive problem, seek to make a difference wherever you are. [In] the wise words of Dr. Brent James … I quote, ‘the need for change in the healthcare field is massive. But my goal is to galvanize your spirits to make this change because your nation is very much in a need of your leadership.’”
Dr. Reder began her career 40 years ago as an occupational therapist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, spending the last 32 years as the Senior Clinical Director of the Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. Currently, Dr. Reder provides strategic direction and leadership for a staff of over 260, representing one of the largest providers of pediatric occupational and physical therapy services in the country. Her most recent work includes transforming the culture of her division into an evidence-based practice culture that is focused on improving outcomes for all children served.
She has participated in decades of leadership and consultative work at international, regional, and state levels. Her professional service includes advisory board participation for three universities (The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, and Xavier University) and served as an expert advisor for the American Occupational Therapy Association and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. On a local level, she has served in several board leadership positions for the Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship Organization. This professional service has been recognized by The Ohio State University, where Dr. Reder was the first recipient of the Occupational Therapy Division Outstanding Alumnus Award, recipient of the Health Management Technology Award (What Works Award), and recipient of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 2018 Patient Services Managing Success Award and E. W. Edwards Award.
Additionally, special recognition awards were given:
- Richard P. Nielsen Student Service Award, McKenzie Momberger, Master of Physician Assistant Studies
- Rising Star Teaching Award, Dr. Jessica Immonen, Ph.D., MS
- Hartgraves’ Award for Teaching Excellence, Dr. Lori Thein Brody, PT, Ph.D., SCS, LAT
- Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award, Angela Merlo, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
RMUoHP graduates experience:
- a 91% student satisfaction rate
- more than a 99% job placement rate
- an overall graduation rate of 87%
- a national board pass rate of 98-100%
RMUoHP is regionally accredited with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education – the highest achievable in the United States.
Additionally, RMUoHP is recognized for the following programmatic accreditation status:
- APBTRFE—American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (Accreditation) – First PT neonatology fellowship program in the U.S.
- ARC-PA—The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (Provisional Accreditation)
- ASHA—Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Hearing-Language Pathology (Accreditation Candidacy)
- CAPTE—Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (Accreditation)
- CCNE—Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (Accreditation)
