From the Dance Floor to the Clinic: One Student’s Unique Path from Dance to Occupational Therapy

By Office of the President | Oct 30, 2023

Congratulations to Jane Sato, a second-year Occupational Therapy student in the School of Health Professions, on her recent honor from the Association of Council Members and College Trustees (ACT), the representative body for SUNY Council Members and College Trustees. Jane was recognized for her community initiatives, blending dance movement with programs tailored to individuals with autism and Parkinson’s disease. In addition to this honor, Jane received ACT’s 2023 Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship.

Jane created an eight-week program called “TAP Dance to Connect” for her OT outreach, targeting individuals with autism aged 5 to 21. The initiative tackled prevalent issues in the autism community, such as communication barriers and sensory concerns. Through dance’s diverse elements, Jane enabled participants to communicate better, gain more autonomy, and enjoy the joy of self-expression.

Jane launched the “Dance for Parkinson’s Disease” program aimed at patients with movement restrictions, offering them relief and reducing feelings of loneliness. Drawing from her dance background, Jane understands the importance of collaboration. She believes that similar to a dance performance, success in medical settings requires collective effort. Jane stresses the significance of each individual’s contribution and promotes interdisciplinary teamwork to leverage everyone’s unique strengths.

A Juilliard graduate, Jane transitioned from a dance career to occupational therapy due to injuries, where her background offers a strong foundation for her OT endeavors. As dance involves a deep understanding of movement, rhythm, spatial awareness, and sequence, she assesses clients’ motor abilities, identifies functional limitations, and develops tailored approaches to promote independence in daily activities, where her proficiency in conveying emotions and stories through dance helps interpret clients’ unspoken cues.

We are proud to recognize Jane Sato for her outstanding work skillfully integrating her dance experience to assist individuals with disabilities. She embodies the varied backgrounds and experiences students bring to Downstate, helping showcase our community’s incredible potential.

Click here to read Jane’s full article on “How My Dance Career Shaped My Journey as a Well-Rounded OT Student,” which is featured on the American Occupational Therapy Association’s website and published on October 1, 2023.