The American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education reviewed the Report of On-Site Education regarding the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Villa Maria College.

After reviewing the document, ACOTE voted to grant a status of accreditation for a period of five years. Occupational therapy assistant program director Paula Santacroce-Velarde, clinical fieldwork coordinator Lynn Marie Witt, and assistant vice president for academic affairs Dr. Ryan Hartnett were responsible for heading the program's accreditation process.

"Receiving accreditation from ACOTE affirms the strength, integrity and value of Villa Maria's OTA program," said Dr. Matt Giordano, Villa's vice president for academic affairs. "It means we are offering the highest quality education in occupational therapy and are preparing students well for careers in this growing and changing field. We are thrilled with this news and look forward to continuing to offer this excellent program to our community."

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association's website, accreditation has been a stated function of the organization since 1923. AOTA's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education is recognized as the accrediting agency for occupational therapy education by the United States Department of Education. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is also an active member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors.

ACOTE currently accredits 389 occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs in the United States and its territories.
Villa Maria College is a private Catholic college founded in 1960 by the Felician Sisters in Buffalo.

For more information, call 716-896-0700 or visit www.villa.edu.