Jessica Newton recipient of the Clinical Education Award of Distinction

NEWBERRY — Jessica Newton, OTR/L at Newberry County Memorial Hospital, was recently recognized for receiving the Clinical Education Award of Distinction from Presbyterian College. The Clinical Education Award of Distinction is presented to the Academic Fieldwork Educator, occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, or fieldwork setting/team who has/have demonstrated clinical excellence support, and effective evidence-based practice within the professional learning opportunities afforded to Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students.

Newton has been an Occupational Therapist for 13 years. She has been part of the Newberry Hospital team for almost nine years and is currently the Director of Occupational Therapy and is also over the inpatient adult rehabilitation. She has worked in all areas of Occupational Therapy, but enjoys the family atmosphere at Newberry Hospital.

Newton is currently attending virtual classes at MUSC to transition from a masters to a doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. She will complete her degree in May 2025. Newton said she chose the Occupational Therapy career field because she wants to help others be as independent as possible in their everyday activities and help improve their quality of life. She is passionate about growing the Stepping Stones Pediatric program at Newberry Hospital.

She also has a passion for educating Occupational Therapy students to prepare them for work in the Occupational Therapy field. She has supervised students for the past 12 years. Presbyterian College recently developed their doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. Newton served on a panel at Presbyterian College to answer questions from students about the Occupational Therapy career field.

Each year, Newton hosts students at Newberry Hospital from Presbyterian College. These students are at Newberry Hospital for 12 weeks for their clinical rotation. She also offers students training through sensory integration labs with the hospital’s pediatric patients. Newton mentored Maddy, the student who nominated her for this recognition. Maddy graduated August 3, 2024, and has accepted a position at Newberry Hospital as an Occupational Therapist.

Newberry Hospital and Presbyterian College have worked together to promote Occupational Therapy Awareness. During Occupational Therapy month Allie Turner, OTD, OTR/L, academic Fieldwork Coordinator at Presbyterian College and one of their students, provided Occupational Therapy awareness at Newberry Hospital. Kay Traylor, BSN, RN, Director of Inpatient Services at Newberry Hospital, has provided space on the Medical/Surgical floor of the hospital for students to practice hands on labs while they are completing their medical rotations. Presbyterian College partnered with the Go Baby Go Program to adapt power cars for their pediatric patients. Two power cars were donated to two families.

“I was very honored and surprised to receive the award while attending Presbyterian College’s graduation ceremony in August,” Newton said.

Newton lives in Newberry and is active in the Newberry County community. She is married with two children- Avery and Ayden, who are seven and 10. Her husband, Brett Newton, is a football coach at Strom Thurmond High School.