Portrait photo of Jennifer Dessoye in professional attire.
Jennifer Dessoye, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, CLA
Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy
Associate Clinical Professor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
jenniferdessoye@kings.edu
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Dr. Jenn Dessoye has over 20 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist with over ten years in higher education. She is the founding Chair of the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy here at King's College. Dr. Dessoye received both her clinical doctorate in occupational therapy and her doctorate in educational leadership. She has expertise in pediatrics, entrepreneurial endeavors, innovation, and clinical leadership. Dr. Dessoye is passionate about learning to lead in everyday practice as well as understanding and advocating for OT's distinct value in healthcare. As the inaugural chair of the OTD program at King's, she intends to help create authentic, occupation-based practitioners that are leaders, innovators, and champions of clinical excellence. Jenn lives locally with her husband, a physical therapist, and three daughters. She enjoys sports, especially the NY Yankees, game nights with her girls, and quality time with friends and family.

Portrait photo of Elizabeth Dixon in professional attire.
Elizabeth A. Dixon, MS Ed., OTR/L
Didactic Coordinator
Assistant Clinical Professor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
ElizabethDixon@kings.edu
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Professor Elizabeth Dixon is the founding Didactic Coordinator within the Occupational Therapy Doctoral program. She joins the team at King's College with over eight years of experience in higher education and over 25 years as a practicing clinician. She has taught various courses within OTA and MOT curricula and served as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for five years. Professor Dixon holds a Master's in education focusing on effective teaching. She is pursuing her doctorate, continuing the focus on providing excellent leadership and instructional skills in higher education. She is passionate about connecting with students and changing teaching practices to meet the current needs of students.

Occupational therapy is truly the best job ever! Clinically, Professor Dixon has an extensive background in pediatrics and continues to treat in early intervention and outpatient settings. Her clinical experience is managing staff, treating in early intervention/ outpatient/ school-based settings, as well as training in various treatment techniques.

Life is about balance! Professor Dixon enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, eating good food, and enjoying all moments that life throws her way!

Portrait photo of Marie Patterson in professional attire.
Marie Patterson, OTD, OTR/L
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Department of Occupational Therapy
Associate Clinical Professor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
MariePatterson@kings.edu
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Dr. Marie Patterson is the founding Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor within the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program. Prior to joining King's College, Marie was the founding Director of Fieldwork Education at Yeshiva University in New York City, New York. She has previously served as the Director of Rehabilitation in a large 621 bed facility, where she coordinated, planned, and facilitated fieldwork education programs. She holds a certification in AOTA Fieldwork Education and has provided supervision and mentorship for clinical educators and graduate fieldwork students for over ten years. She has extensive experience as a fieldwork educator and clinical practitioner in a variety of practice settings including hospitals, hand therapy, skilled nursing, home health, and schools.

She has worked overseas with various international non-profit organizations including the Foundation for African Medicine & Education, Rift Valley Children's Village, and Den Dries Center for Disabled Persons. Passionate about empowering occupational therapists to advocate for their profession, she has met with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. to lobby for occupational therapy.

Granted, life is not all about work. Her leisure pursuits include international traveling, reading, and playing with her AKC trained therapy dog, who has served alongside Dr. Patterson with the geriatric population.

Marie has a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Marie also completed her Bachelor of Education with a certificate in Special Education and a minor in History.

Contact Information

For more information on admission to the Post Professional Occupational Therapy Program (PPOTD), please contact Christine Stevens, Director of Graduate Admission at christinestevens@kings.edu or (570) 208-5991.

Additionally you can contact our office of admissions or financial aid office via email.