Dr. Christine Watt
Dr. Christine Watt joined the Murray State University occupational therapy program in May 2019. She currently serves as the academic fieldwork coordinator for the program, working with facilities to place occupational therapy students at various clinical rotation sites. Dr. Watt previously taught adult physical dysfunction, clinical practice and research courses at Tennessee State University from 2012 to 2019. She mentored approximately 20 student research projects and served as the faculty advisor for the Student Occupational Therapy Association (2012-18). Dr. Watt also served as the communications chair for the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (2017-18).
Before becoming a teacher, Dr. Watt worked as a certified occupational therapy assistant from 1999-2004 and as an occupational therapist from 2004-12 in acute care, outpatient, industrial rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities throughout southern Illinois. She holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management (2000), a master’s in science in rehabilitation counseling (2009), and a Ph.D in rehabilitation (2019) from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy (2004) from the University of Southern Indiana and an associate of applied science degree as an occupational therapy assistant from John A. Logan College. Her research interests revolve around improving the concept of “aging in place” for older adults.
“I did my doctoral research on this topic and I hope to do more work that helps older adults remain in their homes,” said Dr. Watt. “My goal would be to make it possible for older adults to never have to leave home for care if they did not want to.”
Dr. Watt moved from Nashville, Tennessee, to Paducah, Kentucky, in August. Her mother, Nina, lives with her along with her three very spoiled dogs; Esme, Skye and BlackJack. She enjoys smaller city living, and being closer to her family in southern Illinois. Dr. Watt looks forward to getting to know the western Kentucky area and attending the Paducah Symphony and local live theater events.
White coat ceremony
The Murray State University nursing white coat ceremony will take place on Friday, Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. in the Mason Hall auditorium. The white coat ceremony at Murray State was started in 2014 and has become a rite of passage for newly admitted nursing students. The ceremony takes place during the student’s initial semester and serves to welcome them to healthcare practice.
One of the most important parts of the ceremony is the oath of compassion. Students recite the oath in front of their teachers, family members and peers to acknowledge their central obligation of caring for the patient. Students are also presented a pin donated by the Gold Foundation. The pins serve as a visual reminder to students that in order to deliver the best care to their patients, compassion and empathy must be the hallmark of their clinical practice.
In 2014, recognizing the vital role nurses play in the healthcare team, the Gold Foundation partnered with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to adopt a white coat ceremony for nursing. More than 310 schools of nursing now participate and the number continues to grow (Gold Foundation).
More information about the Gold Foundation and the white coat ceremony can be found at gold-foundation.org/programs/white-coat-ceremony/.
Pictured below are fall 2019 nursing students at the white coat ceremony. Pictured right is a student receiving his white coat at a previous ceremony.
School of Nursing & Health Professions
Our school offers many different health careers that offer you the opportunity to influence the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Website: murraystate.edu/sonhp
Location: 120 Mason Hall, Murray, KY 42071
Phone: 270-809-2193