The University of St Augustine for Health Sciences recently presented Jon Edenfield, OTD, OTR/L, from Jacksonville, Fla, with its 20th Anniversary Occupational Therapy Professional Award.

The University of St Augustine for Health Sciences recently presented Jon Edenfield, OTD, OTR/L, from Jacksonville, Fla, with its 20th Anniversary Occupational Therapy Professional Award.

The University of St Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) presented the 20th Anniversary Occupational Therapy Professional Award recently to Jon Edenfield, OTD, OTR/L, in recognition of his significant industry and community contributions.

Edenfield received the award recently during a ceremony held in Carlsbad, Calif.

He was selected from more than 1,400 graduates of the USAHS Occupational Therapy OT program, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. He is currently a director and founder at Great Strides Rehabilitation Inc, and a resident of Jacksonville, Fla.

Edenfield attended USAHS during the university’s inaugural OT program, and was among the first to receive a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the university. He graduated in 2000, and was presented with the top honor for his class, the Outstanding Occupational Therapy Student Award, notes a media release from USAHS.

“All of our graduates have made significant contributions in the field of Occupational Therapy in the US and throughout the world, so when we looked back over the last 20 years, it wasn’t easy to select a winner,” says Dr Wanda Nitsch, USAHS president and chief academic officer. “Dr Edenfield rose to the top for a number of reasons, including his innovative approach to pediatric rehabilitation and his leadership in advocacy for the profession.”

In 2004, Edenfield founded Great Strides Rehabilitation, which provides Hippo-Therapy and Therapeutic Riding services to children. Over the past 13 years, he grew a one-room clinic, providing only occupational therapy, to a 12,000-square-foot facility employing more than 85 therapists of various disciplines. Great Strides Rehabilitation has been recognized locally for the broad range of unique programs it provides to children with special needs, the release adds.

Edenfield also earned his doctorate from USAHS, researching his capstone project for 3 years, titled “Pilot Study: The physiological effects of animal assisted therapy on children with autism spectrum disorder.”  His findings were published in the Journal of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics.

“They say do what you love and love what you do—and I do,” Edenfield shares in the release. “I appreciate the University of St Augustine giving me this career path.”

[Source(s): University of St Augustine for Health Services, PR Newswire]