Logan Christie ’25

For Logan Christie, studying exercise science at Pitt-Bradford and interning at Bradford Regional Medical Center have been major steppingstones to his dream of becoming an occupational therapist.

At a young age, Christie saw how occupational therapy helped his grandfather recover from a stroke. That experience inspired him to pursue the same career and to help others regain their independence through occupational therapy.

“I saw my grandfather go from not being able to speak or use the left side of his body to walking and regaining functionality,” he said. “It was incredible to see the impact therapy had on his life.”

Through his internship at BRMC’s SMART Rehab Center, Christie is getting hands-on experience with patient care and making strides toward his dream career.

Working alongside Danielle Elder, the center’s occupational therapist, Christie gets to work with seasoned professionals and assist with exercises, monitor patient progress and ensure they meet their goals.

Christie said getting firsthand experience and working directly with patients have been immensely helpful and that his internship has reinforced his desire to help others.

Having the chance to work with patients and improve their lives is one of the most rewarding parts of occupational therapy, Christie said.

One moment that stood out and was inspirational to Christie was helping a patient regain mobility so he could continue pursuing his passion for metal detecting, which brought the patient joy.

“That was his biggest goal, so it became my biggest goal,” he said. “It’s amazing to see them improve each time.”

Logan credits much of his preparation for his internship to the personalized support and guidance he’s received at Pitt-Bradford. The close-knit campus and one-on-one relationships he formed with exercise science professors Zachary Stark, Cassandra Preston and Mark Kelley have been instrumental in his success.

“They’re all fantastic,” Christie said. “They’re supportive, easy to talk to and absolutely there for the right reason.”

As Christie prepares to graduate from Pitt-Bradford in May 2025, he’s looking ahead to a master’s program in occupational therapy at St. Bonaventure University. His ultimate goal? To work in a rural area where his skills can make the biggest difference. “I know I can have a tremendous impact in that setting.”