Michael Salemi graduated from American International College with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2001. Prior to his work at Western New England University, Michael practiced occupational therapy in the adult and aging population, where he has worked in acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing care and home health care. Additionally, Michael has practiced occupational therapy around the country in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon and California.

Michael completed a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Boston University in May 2019. The focus of his doctoral work is on promotion of healthy living and occupational engagement for homebound senior citizens and disabled persons. Michael is an involved member of the Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association. He has presented at the national and state conferences for both professional organizations. Michael is also an active researcher within the realm of occupational therapy practice. Current research pursuits include investigating the effectiveness of occupational promotion in the homebound population.

Mary Flahive-Dickson, RN MBA MEd, has more than 25 years in medical/healthcare leadership. She provides senior-level strategic development, supervision and implementation of health care programs, while guiding companies through many aspects of their corporate and clinical development. From initial organization, development of EHR/Clinical Data Management System technology, establishing standards of best practice and processes which include Medicare CoPs and Medical Coding, financial planning, day-to-day operations, and guiding both short-and long-term strategies to position the organization for success. As a founder of multiple healthcare businesses, Mary has worked closely with companies and physicians to highlight innovation and leadership in the field of health care. Mary has brought these businesses from concept to multi million dollar annual incomes.

Currently, Mary is the owner and director of a Medical Staffing Company in East Longmeadow Massachusetts. She is responsible for overall leadership of the company in administration, finance, operations, marketing, human resources recruitment and business development. Additionally, Mary is responsible for adding key team members while driving region-wide expansion of her Medical Staffing Company.

Mary is the mother of 6, is an adjunct professor and regularly speaks at conferences such as those hosted by Associations for Home Care & Hospice, Massachusetts Eldercare Professional Associates and International Leadership Conferences. Mary holds dual bachelor’s degrees, an MBA in Entrepreneurial Innovative Practices and an MEd in Online Instruction and Curriculum Design.

Allison Hemmer, OT/s is currently an occupational therapy doctorate student at Western New England University in Springfield, MA. She is expected to graduate in August 2022. She earned her Bachelors of Science in wellness management with a minor in psychology from the State University of New York in Oswego, NY.

She is currently a graduate assistant for the Occupational Therapy Department at Western New England University. At the university, Allison is the co-chair of a therapeutic art group that works with individuals that have survived traumatic brain injury. In addition, she is president of Pi Theta Epsilon, the occupational therapy honor society at Western New England University, a member of SOTA, AOTA, secretary of the ethics board at Western New England University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a member of the Interprofessional Students Alliance and a member of the Pre-OT committee at Western New England University. During her down time she enjoys spending time with her family and partaking in outdoor activities.

Kayla Just, OT/s is a current Doctor of Occupational Therapy candidate at Western New England University in Springfield, MA. She is expected to graduate in 2022. She earned her Bachelor of Science from University of Hartford in 2018 with a major in Health Science. Kayla has always had a strong interest in the rehabilitation sciences and has been working as a rehabilitation technician at a physical therapy clinic in West Hartford, CT since 2018.

At Western New England University, Kayla is a member of Pi Theta Epsilon, the National Occupational Therapy Honor Society. She is also a part of SOTA, AOTA, and is the student representative for the Curriculum Committee for the WNE OTD program where she worked with professors to help design and implement a summer course that will be offered to students to receive hands-on skills that were missed due to COVID. In her free time, Kayla enjoys running, spending time with friends and family, and dog walking.