Student ambassador to clinical leader: A journey in ATSU-ASHS’ Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program
Posted: September 3, 2026
Jackie Rufrano, MSOT, is a 2024 graduate of A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. A Weston, Florida native, she earned her bachelor of health science in pre-clinical studies from the University of Central Florida in 2021. During her time at ATSU, Rufrano served as vice president of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) and worked as a student ambassador. Today, she is an occupational therapist at a skilled nursing facility in Mesa, Arizona, where she works with patients recovering from respiratory complications. After just over a year in the field, she was selected to participate in a leadership development program for high-potential clinicians.
Why did you choose ATSU-ASHS Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program?
“I used to love to answer this question as a student ambassador! When I was applying to graduate programs, I loved how welcomed I felt by the ATSU admissions team before I even committed to the program. I had the opportunity to ask current students to help me decide if I wanted to pursue my master’s or doctorate of occupational therapy, set my expectations, learn the culture, and always felt like the faculty was only one email away. It gave me this sense of security, especially moving across the country and not knowing anyone.”
What do you hope to achieve professionally, and how did ATSU help prepare you for your career?
“I am now happily employed as an occupational therapist at a skilled nursing facility in Mesa, Arizona, where I am fortunate enough to be a part of the recovery for patients with respiratory complications. After only being employed just over a year, I was personally selected to participate in a leadership program designed to prepare high-potential clinicians for future leadership roles within the therapy world. I believe my involvement in ATSU’s student organizations fostered a passion for leadership and program development, something I never realized I even wanted to pursue until I became involved in ATSU’s extracurricular opportunities.”
Why did you choose to join different student organizations? You were vice president of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA)?
“Honestly, I can’t think of enough reasons other than why not?! I had no idea what to expect, but it seemed fun and like a good opportunity to break out of the ‘school is nothing but stressful’ mindset. It has the potential to be so much more than that, you just might have to put yourself out there a little bit. With the help of my amazing cohort, we developed SOTA into a thriving organization that hosted frequent events, both on campus and off. One of my favorites was our Senior Spa Day, for which we partnered up with an assisted living facility, and took some pointers in a voluntary crash course for massage techniques (shout out Dr. Story!), and spent the day making older adults feel pampered. If it wasn’t for SOTA, I don’t know if I would’ve ever been able to help put something like that together.”
Why did you become a student ambassador, and what do you enjoy about serving in this role?
“I decided to become a student ambassador because I wanted to pass along the warmth I felt when I was making the nerve-wracking decision regarding my next steps with my education. I think the openness of the ambassadors I spoke to made my decision to become a part of ATSU’s community so easy for me. So, I wanted to pay it forward.”
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or achievements?
“I foster animals, including medical and senior cats/dogs/rabbits. I love to go on backpacking trips (most recently crossed Havasupai Falls off my list this past May), puzzles (I love joining puzzle competitions), hiking, and trying new restaurants.”