One of Keuka College’s newest academic programs has a new partner.
Students earning bachelor’s degrees in the College’s new Health Sciences program can now move seamlessly into the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Northeast College of Health Sciences, thanks to a new articulation agreement between the two colleges.
The 3+3 program will enable Keuka College’s Health Science majors to enroll at Northeast after their junior year, completing their bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in just three additional years.

“We are extremely excited about this agreement between Keuka College and Northeast, because it creates a clear pathway toward a chiropractic degree and Keuka College students can be assured that their transfer credits will be accepted, saving students both time and money,”
As if the ability to shave a year off their studies wasn’t incentive enough, Keuka College students will also be eligible for merit scholarships from Northeast based on their academic standing: $1,500 for a grade-point average between 3.0 and 3.499 and $2,500 for GPAs above 3.5.
Keuka College’s Health Sciences program was established in 2020 to meet the growing regional and national demand for health care professionals. The degree builds on the College’s legacy of educating generations of graduates who pursued careers in nursing, social work, physical and occupational therapy, and scores of other health care fields. The Health Sciences degree positions students for immediate employment in a variety of health-related professions or continued graduate study.
The Seneca Falls-based Noertheast – formerly New York Chiropractic College – was founded in 1919 and operated in the New York City area for some 70 years before moving to its current home in the former Eisenhower College location in 1991.
Learn More About the Health Sciences Program
Health science is the application of science to health, including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics. Keuka College’s health sciences major will provide you with the opportunity to study health care systems, health promotion, and health research methods. You will develop foundational knowledge in biological sciences, including human anatomy and physiology, physics, and chemistry.
Our program provides a solid grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, including coursework in the social determinants of health, medical ethics, and population health. Special focus will be on experiential education, along with a specially-designed capstone experience.
A bachelor’s degree in health sciences provides essential healthcare knowledge and skills while building professional skills sought by healthcare employers, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, information literacy, and information management.

Christopher Alterio, Dr.OT, OTR/L
Founding Dean, School of Health and Human Services
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Nova Southeastern University
- Dr.OT
- SUNY at Buffalo
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Alterio graduated cum laude from the SUNY at Buffalo Occupational Therapy program in 1987. He worked as a clinician, educator, and manager before completing his post-professional clinical doctorate at Nova Southeastern University in 2007.
He authored the textbook “Clinically oriented theory for occupational therapy” and co-authored "Caring for someone in your home." He writes extensively on a professional blog that covers occupational therapy topics. His clinical experience ranges across practice areas but his primary interest and focus is in pediatrics. He has presented at state and national conferences on topics ranging from pediatric clinical care and injury prevention programs, certification standards for occupational therapists, occupational therapy history, and appropriate use of social media in a professional context.
He has volunteered for 27 years for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, serving as pediatric subject matter expert on various exam and product development committees, and in all Board of Director leadership positions including Board Chairperson from 2010-12. He owns ABC Therapeutics, a private occupational and physical therapy practice in Western New York. He has served at Keuka College in various roles since 1992 and is currently Associate Professor, Chair, and Program Director of the occupational therapy division.
Professional Interests
Pediatrics, private practice, entrepreneurship, social media, occupational therapy theory, occupational therapy history.

Kristen Bacon, O.T.D., OTR/L
Chair of Applied Health and Wellness
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Utica College
- M.S.
- Syracuse University at Utica College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Kristen Bacon began her career working as an occupational therapy assistant in 2003 while attending the weekend program at Utica College. After graduating in 2006 with a B.S. from Syracuse University at Utica College and M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica College in 2007, she then earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011.
Dr. Bacon has presented at several national occupational therapy conferences and currently volunteers for organizations including AOTA and NBCOT. She is working on AOTA’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and a Flipped Learning 3.0 Certification, Level I. Her professional focus includes the adult and geriatric populations with a special interest in TBI and orthopedics.
Dr. Bacon began her academic work as adjunct professor for Keuka College in 2014. Since then, she has continued on as full-time academician and is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Bacon was appointed to faculty development committee, is co-advisor for the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), a national occupational therapy honor society, and completed a three-year term for Sigma Lambda Sigma (SLS) advisor the college wide honor society.

Michele Bennett ’05 M’06, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Keuka College
- M.S.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Bennett graduated from Keuka College in the first OT master's program. After college she worked in local hospital and rehabilitation sites serving children to older adults. As she transitioned from rehabilitation sites to teaching she completed her post-professional clinical doctorate at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 2013.
Dr. Bennett has presented topics at national conferences that have included international, interprofessional service learning, program evaluation/outcome reporting and fieldwork level I experiences in emerging areas of practice. Dr. Bennett is currently Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and remains active working with adults in their homes as a per-diem therapist for Visiting Nursing Association/Kaleida Health in the Steuben County region. Dr. Bennett joined the Arc of Yates board of directors for a three year term.
Professional Interests
Adults with developmental disabilities, middle to older adult populations, and professional development of the OT students of Keuka College.

Cassie Hey ’04 M’07, D.B.H., M.S., OTR/L
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Arizona State University
- D.B.H.
- Keuka College
- M.S.
- Keuka College
- B.S.

Amanda Howell
Administrative Assistant, Applied Health and Wellness

Beth Jordan, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Utica College
- M.S.
- Syracuse University at Utica College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Jordan began her professional career as an occupational therapy assistant in 1989. She continued her education at Utica College and graduated with a M.S. in Occupational Therapy in 2007 and earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011. Dr. Jordan began teaching adjunct before transitioning from clinician to academician. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Keuka College.
Dr. Jordan has presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) national conference and actively volunteers through AOTA as a peer reviewer and member of Community of Leaders. She is also currently volunteering with the National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy as a pediatric subject matter expert on an exam development committee. Dr. Jordan is in the preliminary stages of engaging in scholarly research with faculty from three other universities with a focus on improving engagement and intentionality of learning in college students. She is an advisor for Keuka College’s Sigma Lambda Sigma Honor Society and is the faculty liaison and chair for the DRIVE Steering Committee. Dr. Jordan continues to work as a senior occupational therapist at Margaret L. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center in Syracuse, NY.

Carrie Roberts ’02, O.T.D., OTR/L
Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Carrie Roberts has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years, with experience in various areas of practice including the hospital and nursing home, with a greater focus in pediatrics birth-21 years old. She graduated from Keuka College with a degree in occupational therapy; she also graduated from Chatham University in 2013 with her clinical occupational therapy doctoral degree in which her research focus was related to children with Autism Spectrum. Dr. Roberts was an adjunct professor for Keuka College before joining the Occupational Therapy program full time in 2013.

Taber Starowicz ’13 M’14
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Instructor of Occupational Therapy
“Students will have the benefit of a program that was carefully designed through the partnership between our two schools. We’re looking forward to additional opportunities for collaboration between Keuka College and Northeast that will serve the health care training needs for our region.”
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