Susan Brokaw Kimmons, OTR, CHT (1958-1997) received her B.S. in occupational therapy from Northeast
Louisiana University (now Louisiana State University at Monroe) in 1981. For the next seven years
after graduation, she practiced in her hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, eventually rising to the
position of director of occupational therapy at Willis-Knighton Medical Center.
In 1990, she moved with her husband Stephen Kimmons ’78 (a graduate of the School of Music) to
Ithaca, where he had been hired as director of alumni relations at Ithaca College, a position he held
until 1998. In 1991, Susan was hired as the only occupational therapist on staff at the Cayuga
Medical Center.
When Ithaca College began to discuss the possibility of adding occupational therapy to its curriculum,
Susan was one of the first people called. Serving on a panel of occupational therapists that made
recommendations to the College as to what would be needed for such an undertaking, she was proud to
have played an instrumental role in the creation of the occupational therapy program at Ithaca
College.
Susan’s professional experience ran the gamut from stroke rehab to geriatrics to head injury
rehab, but at the Cayuga Medical Center, she was faced with a new and different challenge – hand
therapy. Forced by these new demands into on-the-job training, she quickly realized that
certification would be necessary in order for her to truly perform her duties. After studying
throughout the summer and fall of 1996, she took her certification exam in November, passing it on her
first attempt.
Susan had a keen interest in students, and worked closely with interns throughout her career. In
late 1996 and early 1997, she entered into an agreement with the occupational therapy department at
Ithaca College to accept its very first interns at the Cayuga Medical Center. Unfortunately, her
untimely death in March 1997 brought this agreement and her career to an abrupt end. The flags at the
Cayuga Medical Center and at Ithaca College were both lowered to mourn her passing – the only
time this has happened. Memories of Susan remain strong in Ithaca and at Ithaca College –
for her dedication as a professional and for her warmth as a friend.
Of Susan Kimmons, a former intern once wrote: “Susan took me on as a student and gave me a
start in a profession where I feel that I can actually make a difference in someone’s life, which
is a great feeling. I don’t know if I would have ever had the chance without her. She
nurtured in me confidence in my abilities as a therapist as she helped me through times of question and
doubt.”
Finally, here are some powerful words from a radiologist and former hand therapy patient who worked
with Susan at the Cayuga Medical Center: “I knew of her expertise long before the
examiners. When she first saw me I think she was a little overwhelmed with the extent of my
injury but that didn’t deter her. She had the confidence to rely on her training and what
she didn’t know, she’d find out. She was innovative and not afraid to try something
new…. Never forceful but a gentle firmness, a gift of only a few therapists….
If I mastered something she was right back with something else to keep me from getting bored. She
was able to temper my enthusiasm and goals without stifling and inhibiting my potential to get
everything possible back; again a rare trait of the best therapists…. Every time I pick up
a fork, a hammer, I think of her. Every time I drop something I think of her encouragement and
pick it up again. When I button my shirt in the morning using the button hook she gave me, I
remember…. Even now as I punch these keys because I can, Susan is watching as the tears
swell in my eyes…. She gave me back my hands.”
In 2002, to mark the fifth anniversary of her passing, family, friends, colleagues and patients
endowed the Susan Brokaw Memorial Scholarship as a lasting tribute to her. The scholarship was
dedicated on April 29, 2002, the ninth birthday of Susan and Stephen’s daughter Emily.
This scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding senior occupational therapy student who is continuing on for the fifth year. The scholarship will be awarded at the annual awards night or other similar event within the department or School of Health Sciences and Human Performance.
Following the selection, a press release about the award will be sent to the recipient's parents and hometown newspaper.
This award is given to a senior occupational therapy student who has maintained the highest GPA over the course of the B.S. in occupational science program.
The following awards are given out to the recipients during the senior banquet.
Award for Creative and Innovative Thought
Criteria: Asks questions out of the normal arena of questions. Guides the thought process of
other and enables others to think about occupational therapy topics differently.
Award for Special Merit
Criteria: Dedicated to the occupational therapy profession. Involved in activities within
occupational therapy.
Service Award
Criteria: Involved in the Ithaca College Student Occupational Therapy Association (ICSOTA)
club and/or other clubs at Ithaca College. Involved in volunteer work and/or is employed on or off
campus.
Professional Development Award
Criteria: Has worked hard to increase skills professionally and academically. Student is
responsible and takes the initiative to increase his or her own learning.
Commitment Award
Criteria: Student is an active member of ICSOTA and AOTA. Volunteers within class for
committees. Committed to the advancement of the profession.
Leadership Award
Criteria: Has held a leadership position in ICSOTA. Ability to motivate classmates in a
positive way. Is receptive to the needs of others and looked up to by peers.
