Past meets present
As a high school student looking toward the future, Rhoda P. Erhardt ’54 BS OT saw marriage and children. But first, she was heading to college. The only problem? She didn’t know what to study.
The results of an aptitude test prompted a guidance counselor to suggest occupational therapy. She thought Erhardt’s wide variety of interests would be well suited to a field that draws on topics in human development,
psychology, design and more.
Although Erhardt hadn’t previously heard of occupational therapy, it turned out to be the perfect fit. Erhardt ultimately spent a fulfilling and pioneering career as an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics.
“I feel so grateful that I stumbled into a profession that has been interesting, inspiring and rewarding,” Erhardt says.
An empowering career
At UIC, Erhardt found a mentor in Beatrice Wade, the director of the occupational therapy program.
“She provided us with the history, value and foundational principles of occupational therapy,” Erhardt says. “She inspired us in a way that was never forgotten.”