Lessons from Kean’s Occupational Therapy Program Guide Graduate in Medical School
As a medical resident at the Cleveland Clinic, Kean University alumna Penina Gross-Richmond is excited about her future as a pediatrician.
Her first career in occupational therapy, started after earning her master of science in occupational therapy from Kean in 2012, shaped her perspective and helped propel her into the study of medicine. She said her experience in OT gives her special insight into what her life will be like as a doctor.
“I have no doubt that I got accepted into medical school because I'm an occupational therapist and had clinical experience,” Gross-Richmond said. “And from the beginning of medical school, I stood out because I was more mature and used to working in clinical settings.”
At the Cleveland Clinic, Gross-Richmond has been recognized as Hospital Medicine Intern of the Year, Primary Care Intern of the Year, and for her work as a medical educator.
While completing her residency next year, she’ll start applying for jobs.
“I want to do primary care, likely for kids with special needs,” she said. “I’m also passionate about newborn care and breastfeeding medicine,” which focuses on resolving breastfeeding challenges for mothers and their babies. “I'm very aware of what goes on outside the doctor's office and how it plays out at home and in school, and that will inform how I advocate for my patients.”
Having regular business hours is also a goal for the married mother of three, whose children are 13, 6 and 4.
“I started medical school with a 4-month-old and had my youngest child during medical school,” she said. “I would not be where I am without my husband, Jordan (Gross-Richmond), because he has taken over most of the responsibility for our home and the kids.”
Gross-Richmond was inspired to study occupational therapy after working with special-needs youngsters in high school — an activity she continued at Kean, where she initiated an annual Special Olympics event.
“I still feel the impact. It's a part of who I am,” said Gross-Richmond.
During four years at Russo Fleck & Associates, a small California company that partners with school districts, she used intentional play to help her young clients improve their range of motion, strength and dexterity.
Korrie Sparks, OTD, OTR/L, who worked with Gross-Richmond, was impressed with her dedication to her clients and investment in helping them reach their goals.
“She always supported families in understanding their children and advocated for the most misunderstood. Working alongside Penina was a gift in learning professional excellence, witnessing what compassionate healthcare looks like, and making a meaningful, lifelong friendship,” Sparks said.
On the job, Gross-Richmond heard accolades from her peers about the reputation of Kean’s occupational therapy program. The program’s excellence was the reason the Detroit native had chosen Kean after graduating from Excelsior College with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.
“We were well prepared to go into a clinical setting,” she said, “because Kean got us started on our fieldwork early, and we had excellent educators.”
Gross-Richmond often reflects on advice from Professor Laurie Knis-Matthews, Ph.D., OTR, to “meet clients where they are” by making recommendations they can realistically follow. And she remains grateful to Associate Professor Patrick Field, Ph.D., who encouraged her to become a physician.
“From the very first class in human gross anatomy, Penina challenged me with complex questions, atypical for a first-year graduate student,” Dr. Field recalled. “I recognized immediately that she had a clinically oriented mind and would make a brilliant healthcare professional who would make significant contributions to her discipline.”
Gross-Richmond’s message to today’s students is that every step in a journey counts.
“Even while being forward-focused and future-oriented, my advice is to be wholehearted about where you are and take it really seriously,” she said. “That can help you be successful in the future.”