Congratulations, MScOT Class of 2025!
The Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy is proud to celebrate the newest graduates of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program and all they have accomplished.
As they prepare to bring their skills and abilities into the world of health care, Shannon, Monisha, Olivia and Nolan reflect on the past two years and share what they have planned for the future.
Shannon Polito, Valedictorian, UTSG
What inspired you to pursue occupational therapy?
My dedication to occupational therapy was influenced by my educational, employment and life experiences.
I have always been interested in health, wellness and community development. I began my career in recreation and leisure services working with children, youth and their families to expand my knowledge of activity modification and meaningful participation. Eager to continue my education in the health care field, I graduated as an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) and Physiotherapist Assistant (PTA).
Through my learning and work as an OTA/PTA, I found my passion for occupational therapy. I worked in Ontario and Northern Canada, from outpatient clinics to community settings, with individuals and families across the life course. I had the privilege of working under the supervision of incredible occupational therapists and physiotherapists and learned more about the importance of interprofessional collaboration and a coordinated approach to health care.
I have always appreciated how occupational therapy promotes a holistic and person-centred approach to health and well-being. With a passion for health equity, accessibility, and justice, I was eager to advance my knowledge by pursuing my education in occupational therapy.
Do you have a memorable moment from the program?
There are so many memorable moments from the program that have had positive, long-term impacts on me. Something that I will always remember is the way our class supported each other, both inside and outside of the classroom. One of the most valuable lessons that I will take with me from the program is the importance of collaboration, connection and compassion. We started as classmates and have built a community as colleagues.
What advice would you give your first-year self?
The advice that I would give my first-year self is to become more comfortable with uncertainty. It’s okay to be unsure and to not have all the answers. It is in these moments that allow the greatest opportunity for learning and the most meaningful growth.
What are your future plans?
I am so pleased to now be working in an acute care unit at my local community hospital. I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge that I have gained throughout my learning in the program. I am eager to continue learning in this role and to work within an exceptional interprofessional team. I am very grateful to all my peers, professors, and preceptors who have supported me and encouraged me along the way.
Monisha Dhindsa, Valedictorian, UTM
What inspired you to pursue occupational therapy?
My reason for pursuing a career in occupational therapy goes beyond simply wanting to help others; I wanted to enter a career where I could add value and meaning to people’s lives. I learned about occupational therapy during my undergraduate degree in kinesiology and was drawn to its blend of science, creativity and compassion — a profession that is centered around the whole person and what matters to them. I love that it’s about helping others find their purpose, build independence and reconnect with the things that make life meaningful. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be part of that? I am so grateful to have stumbled upon occupational therapy and am even more grateful to now call myself an occupational therapist!
Do you have a memorable moment from the program?
There were SO many memorable moments throughout the program. What stands out most are the Just Dance breaks during class. It quickly became a tradition where whenever we had a break during lectures, we would throw on a Just Dance video and the whole class (sometimes even professors or guest lecturers) would, well...just dance! Those moments remind me how important it is, especially in times of stress, to take a pause, move your body and be present. It’s something I plan to carry forward both in life and in practice.
What advice would you give your first-year self?
A piece of advice I would tell my first-year self is that you’re never going to have all the answers, you’re never going to know everything, and you’ll probably feel like everything you’re doing is wrong... and that’s okay! I’ve realized that true growth happens from those moments of doubt or uncertainty. As someone who has always been a high achiever and needed 100% on everything I did, it was difficult to come to that realization.
As I enter a field of lifelong learning and encounter complex situations, I’ve realized that not having all the answers is part of the process. It’s what pushes you to grow, reflect and keep learning. So, I’d tell my first-year self that you don’t need to be perfect to make a difference, you just need to stay curious, ask questions and trust that you’ll find your way as you go.
What are your future plans?
I am currently working for William Osler Health System, floating across all acute inpatient medicine units at Etobicoke General Hospital and Brampton Civic Hospital. I am extremely grateful and excited to have started my career in a setting where every day is truly a new learning experience!
I hope to continue building my foundational skills, learning from incredible colleagues and discovering who I am as a clinician. Occupational therapy is such a diverse field where the possibilities are endless, and I am open to exploring any opportunity that comes my way!
Olivia Callaghan, UTM
What inspired you to pursue occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy finds the extraordinary in the ordinary. A profession where I can support clients in pursuing goals and empower them on their journey to recovery is the ideal profession for me…and occupational therapy has it all!
The occupational therapy sessions I received as a youth client were among the most engaging and meaningful experiences in my recovery journey. As an occupational therapist, I hope to lead with compassion, respect and a deep commitment to empowering my clients.
Do you have a memorable moment from the program?
I will always carry with me the memories I shared with friends! The professional and personal connections I fostered over the course of the program were absolutely incredible. I am so grateful to have been a member of such a passionate, resilient and determined group of students.
I will always remember our cold morning walks from Erindale to save money on parking fees, mid-lecture dance breaks and the many hours spent in study rooms. There were invaluable lessons in every lecture and every course of the program. It was truly an honour to have been educated by such intelligent and skilled professors.
What advice would you give your first-year self?
A piece of advice I would give to my first-year self when I started the program would be to get involved! During my time as a student, I was the Professional Development Director for our cohort, a committed member of the Student Affairs Committee and Learner Wellness Advisory Committee, a mentor to incoming first-year students and applicants and a group discussion facilitator. These roles offered a blend of personal fulfillment, professional development and social connection. I am proud of my involvement over the course of my studies at U of T.
What are your future plans?
I am honoured to have been welcomed as a practicing clinician with the IV League of Occupational Therapists, working with first responders as our clients. I hope to establish my career as a mix of mental and physical health-focused services with diverse communities.
Ideally, I would love to work with both adults and children, enabling occupation across the lifespan. The career opportunities for occupational therapists are endless…and I am eager to explore!
Nolan Willie, UTSG
What inspired you to pursue occupational therapy?
I became interested in occupational therapy after completing my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria. As an Indigenous and Queer person, I often felt that something was missing in my studies — a holistic, relational perspective that truly resonated with me. What drew me to occupational therapy was its focus on people, communities and the meaningful connections that shape our well-being.
Do you have a memorable moment from the program?
Some of my most memorable moments in the program came from my fieldwork experiences and the chance to co-facilitate a national workshop at the CAOT Conference with my research partner, Marie Francis. Bringing our work to a national stage as students was an incredibly affirming experience. It showed me how ready I am to step into practice and how much value I bring as an Indigenous person whose culture and relationships deeply shape who I am.
These experiences helped me see the kind of occupational therapist I want to become, one who blends knowledge, humility and cultural grounding to support others in ways that truly honor who they are.
What advice would you give your first-year self?
If I could give advice to my first-year self, I’d say: take it all in. Be open, curious, and engaged, but don’t overextend. This program moves fast and balance is key. The lessons, friendships and moments of growth are just as important as the grades.
I’m grateful for everything I took on and for the lessons I learned about pacing, boundaries and caring for myself while caring for others.
What are your future plans?
I’m excited to begin my career with VHA Home Rehab Solutions where I’ll continue to build my clinical skills and deepen my understanding of community-based practice.
Looking further ahead, I see myself becoming a mentor, educator, and leader in the field, someone who helps shape systems and teams to better serve clients, families and communities. As an Indigenous clinician, I carry with me the teachings and perspectives of my people, always mindful of the generations before me who never had these opportunities. My goal is to honor them by helping to build a health care system that is compassionate, culturally grounded and inclusive.
