WVU Alumni Spotlight: Jessie Parkulo

Jessie Parkulo, MOT, OTR/L, BCP carries her mountaineer pride with her into Indianapolis, Indiana. Since graduating in 2017, Parkulo has provided occupational therapy services in a variety of pediatric settings including early intervention, outpatient, ABA center, Montessori school, and currently a public school district.

In 2022, Parkulo launched Mountaineer Therapy, a pediatric community-based occupational therapy practice for clients aged 5-22. According to Grohman et al. (2022), community-based settings provide more organic opportunities and increase holistic care. Parkulo's goal-driven sessions mean that her interventions occur in the public library, on a trolley ride, at the ice skating rink, or on a hike. Occupational therapy practitioners can also offer telehealth, which Parkulo remarked has been a new addition to her practice.

Since graduation, Parkulo has achieved a number of impressive certifications including Montessori Applied to Children at Risk (MACAR), Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS), and Board Certified Pediatrics (BCP). Less than 1% of occupational therapists have earned the credential of BCP at this time. Achieving these certifications demonstrates her level of commitment to providing extraordinary care to her clients.