Improving Health Care While Improving Lives
Health care occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups—mainly due to an aging population—leading to greater demand for health care services.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health care occupations is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 1.9 million new jobs.
And a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Keuka College will help fill that demand. Career opportunities are widespread with a major in health sciences, and our world-class faculty will provide you with the skills, knowledge, opportunities, and values to work and contribute to the challenging and ever-changing health care environment.
Keuka College’s health sciences degree aims to guide students toward immediate employment in health promotion, or continued graduate study in a variety of allied health fields. Positions in the health sciences range from clinical work with frequent patient contact to office work at private corporations. Because healthcare is such a diverse field, health sciences graduates have the ability to move both laterally and upward as career interests and goals change. a degree in health science could be applicable to a variety of health professions.
Get Real Healthcare Experience
Health sciences combines science and healthcare into a number of career fields that are committed to improving the healthcare industry and delivering quality care to patients, no matter what the population. Our program of study prepares you to assume roles as health and wellness professionals in private business and industry, community organizations, and health care settings.
You will be able to demonstrate an application of foundational and liberal arts coursework to your specific future career through the Keuka College Field Period® program.
Program Highlights
Health science is the application of science to health, including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics. Keuka College’s health sciences major will provide you with the opportunity to study health care systems, health promotion, and health research methods. You will develop foundational knowledge in biological sciences, including human anatomy and physiology, physics, and chemistry.
Our program provides a solid grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, including coursework in the social determinants of health, medical ethics, and population health. Special focus will be on experiential education, along with a specially-designed capstone experience.
A bachelor’s degree in health sciences provides essential healthcare knowledge and skills while building professional skills sought by healthcare employers, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, information literacy, and information management.
Learn More About the Health Science Program
Health Science is a multidisciplinary field that encompasses many aspects of health care. Our faculty includes an athletic trainer, neuroscientist, physician, behavioral health practitioner, occupational therapists, and hospital administrator.
Kristen Bacon, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Program Director of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Utica College
- M.S.
- Syracuse University at Utica College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Kristen Bacon began her career working as an occupational therapy assistant in 2003 while attending the weekend program at Utica College. After graduating in 2006 with a B.S. from Syracuse University at Utica College and M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica College in 2007, she then earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011.
Dr. Bacon has presented at several national occupational therapy conferences and currently volunteers for organizations including AOTA and NBCOT. She is working on AOTA’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and a Flipped Learning 3.0 Certification, Level I. Her professional focus includes the adult and geriatric populations with a special interest in TBI and orthopedics.
Dr. Bacon began her academic work as adjunct professor for Keuka College in 2014. Since then, she has continued on as full-time academician and is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Bacon was appointed to faculty development committee, is co-advisor for the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), a national occupational therapy honor society, and completed a three-year term for Sigma Lambda Sigma (SLS) advisor the college wide honor society.
Michele Bennett ’05 M’06, O.T.D., OTR/L
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Division Chair for Applied Health & Wellness
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Keuka College
- M.S.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Bennett graduated from Keuka College in the first OT master's program. After college she worked in local hospital and rehabilitation sites serving children to older adults. As she transitioned from rehabilitation sites to teaching she completed her post-professional clinical doctorate at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 2013.
Dr. Bennett has presented topics at national conferences that have included international, interprofessional service learning, program evaluation/outcome reporting and fieldwork level I experiences in emerging areas of practice. Dr. Bennett is currently Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and remains active working with adults in their homes as a per-diem therapist for Visiting Nursing Association/Kaleida Health in the Steuben County region. Dr. Bennett joined the Arc of Yates board of directors for a three year term.
Professional Interests
Adults with developmental disabilities, middle to older adult populations, and professional development of the OT students of Keuka College.
Jessica Chapman ’18 M’19, OTR/L
Instructor of Occupational Therapy and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Academic Credentials
- Keuka College
- B.S. in Occupational Science
- Keuka College
- M.S. in Occupational Therapy
- Beloit College
- B.A.
Cassie Hey ’04 M’07, D.B.H., M.S., OTR/L
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Arizona State University
- D.B.H.
- Keuka College
- M.S.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Beth Jordan, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Utica College
- M.S.
- Syracuse University at Utica College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Beth Jordan is an experienced occupational therapist and associate professor at Keuka College, where she blends decades of clinical expertise with a commitment to education, research, and interprofessional collaboration. She has worked extensively in early intervention, CPSE, school-based services, and private practice.
Dr. Jordan spent more than a decade as a senior OT at a developmental evaluation center, gaining deep expertise in neurodevelopment, assessment, and neurocognitive dysfunction. At Keuka College, she is actively involved in institutional service, serving on college committees, collaborating across divisions, and chairing the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Dr. Jordan serves as the New York State Ambassador for NBCOT, volunteers with NBCOT and AOTA, and contributes as a pediatric subject matter expert on NBCOT’s exam development committee. She presents regularly at professional conferences and is engaged in research to strengthen OT education and practice.
In 2025, Dr. Jordan received Keuka College’s Excellence in Advising Award. She also hosts the podcast OccupaTionally Speaking: Insights from an OT, where she explores innovation and real-world challenges in occupational therapy.
Her philosophy is rooted in understanding not just “what is the matter—but what matters most to the people.”
Carrie Roberts ’02, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Vice President for Experiential Education and Wellness
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Carrie Roberts has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years, with experience in various areas of practice including the hospital and nursing home, with a greater focus in pediatrics birth-21 years old. She graduated from Keuka College with a degree in occupational therapy; she also graduated from Chatham University in 2013 with her clinical occupational therapy doctoral degree in which her research focus was related to children with Autism Spectrum. Dr. Roberts was an adjunct professor for Keuka College before joining the Occupational Therapy program full time in 2013.
Contact Information
Michele Bennett ’05 M’06, O.T.D., OTR/L
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Division Chair for Applied Health & Wellness
