10/09/2025
A big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to occupational therapist extraordinaire, Miss Jennifer! Jennifer joined the SST team in October of 2024 and has been proudly
representing SST in the schools and clinic ever since! According to SST President, Melanie Shultz, Jennifer is an “invaluable member of the SST team. She is a tremendously
skilled therapist and a seasoned professional. She is passionate and cares deeply for those around her. We are beyond lucky to have someone like her represent SST.”
Occupational Therapy Department Head, Katie Finnegan, had similar praise for our SSTar. “This October, we’re celebrating Jennifer’s one-year anniversary with SST! From day
one, she jumped right in and made such a positive impact. Jennifer is the kind of teammate who’s always ready to help, encourage others, and share her ideas. She’s also an
incredible OT—her skills shine every day, and it’s no surprise that school staff and clinic families can’t stop singing her praises. We are so grateful Jennifer took the leap to join us
last year, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things she’ll continue to do in the years ahead!”
A Buckeye through and through, Jennifer was born and raised in Columbus, OH! An alumnus of both St. Andrews and Bishop Watterson, it was a no-brainer for Jennifer to
continue her studies at The Ohio State University where she received her undergraduate degree in Human Ecology, with a specialty in Family Studies. While working towards her
master’s degree in occupational therapy, Jennifer was employed as the lead preschool teacher in a local daycare. “I came from a family of educators, so being in the classroom
always seemed like a natural fit to me.” Despite her family connection to education, Jennifer knew from a young age that a career in occupational therapy would be her ultimate
end goal. “I took an aptitude test when I was thirteen and it said I was well-suited for occupational therapy. Luckily, I had an uncle who was an OT at Riverside Hospital, and I was
able to shadow him. From there, I never wavered. I knew I was meant to be an OT.” When Jennifer began her Level 1 field work in pediatrics, everything came together. “It was
like my two worlds collided. I was still in the classroom but was able to incorporate my OT training in a way where I felt as though I could positively impact my students. I knew I
had found my purpose.” Not surprisingly, Jennifer was offered a job on the spot following her field work and has been happily serving in the schools ever since. “It is so
rewarding being able to apply my background in education while teaching functional life skills in the classroom setting. I also love that I can work with an entire interdisciplinary
team, such as intervention specialists, other therapists, general educators, behavioral specialists, etc., to really get a complete picture of the child. I feel like we are serving the
entire child which is a great sense of accomplishment.”
When not at SST, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family. Her son, Samuel, is five years old and has just started kindergarten. Her daughter, Caroline, is three and
in pre-school. Jennifer proudly describes her children as her “little miracles.” After losing her first husband in 2012 and struggling to get pregnant throughout her marriage, she
thought carrying a child was just not in the cards. Jennifer went on to push herself to the limit by competing in three full Ironman competitions, twelve half Ironman’s, and a
120-mile bike ride. However, Jennifer never got the notion of motherhood out of her system and eventually became a single foster mom to two toddlers. While juggling all the
craziness of her life, Jennifer noticed that her feelings had changed towards Pete, one of her Ironman training partners. The two started as friends, then began dating, fell in
love, and eventually married in 2018. Two years later they welcomed their first little miracle, Samuel, and their second miracle, Caroline, two years later. To say Jennifer and
Pete are blessed would be an understatement!
It is no wonder Miss Jennifer inspires us all to be the best version of ourselves! What a deserving SSTar you are!
Congratulations Jennifer! Thank you for all you bring to SST!
