On December 19, Goodwin Occupational Therapy Assistant clinical instructor Cynthia Andisio and two of her students, Christina Rodino and Adam Arrowsmith, attended a recognition event at the Lyceum in Hartford honoring Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy for his role in co-authoring the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act, along with Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. The legislation is considered to be the most comprehensive mental health bill passed by Congress in more than 50 years.
The Goodwin OTA program operates in agreement with InterCommunity Inc. in East Hartford for student interns to benefit from full-time, 8-week rotations in a practice setting to gain practical experience and hands-on skills. Andisio and the Goodwin students, along with InterCommunity’s Social Rehab manager Anthony Pierlioni, were present to hear Senator Murphy speak about the Mental Health Reform Act, which had been signed into law the previous week. The audience included lobbyists, politicians, advocates, and other healthcare professionals.
Giving students access to important events related to their futures speaks to Goodwin’s career-focused philosophy. “It was a powerful, momentous occasion that my two students witnessed,” Andisio reported.
Shown in photo with Senator Murphy are Andisio, Rodino, Arrowsmith, and Pierlioni along with InterCommunity clients.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.