Sharon Swift, EdD, educator and mentor, leaves lasting legacy

Sharon Swift, EdD, a dedicated educator, mentor and colleague in the Department of Occupational Therapy of Augusta University’s College of Allied Health Sciences, passed away on Sept. 9.

Swift, an associate professor, served in the college for more than 20 years, and her passion for advancing the OT field influenced countless students, faculty and practitioners throughout her career with an impact extending far beyond the classroom.

“I have had the privilege of being both a friend and colleague of Dr. Swift for over 20 years. In many ways, we grew up together as young faculty, learning the ropes of academic life at an academic medical center,” said Lester Pretlow, PhD, dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences. “Over the years, we collaborated on numerous committees, projects and initiatives. It would be difficult to find a more gracious and kind-hearted person than Dr. Swift. I will deeply miss her.”

Pamalyn Kearney, EdD, chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy, began working with Swift in 2013. Kearney said Swift was a very caring person and that came through in her teaching and her interactions with students.

“So many people have a story about how she influenced their decision to pursue OT as a career or was the person they came to when they had a personal challenge that was impacting their ability to do what they needed to do as a student,” Kearney said. “She also loved the work she did with clients, from the work she did at Mustard Seed Communities to the elementary school children she worked with through the CLIMBE program, to wheelchair evaluations for members of the community, to participants at Lynndale Inc. and more. Her love for the communities she worked with came through in her teaching.”

During Swift’s time, she provided leadership in the development of the CLIMBE Program, providing a multisensory environment to support literacy development for K-3 students at a local Title I school.

She also pioneered the department’s long-standing partnership with Mustard Seed Communities, a global nonprofit committed to supporting vulnerable populations in the developing world. In addition to coordinating and leading study abroad programs, she participated in numerous wheelchair distribution trips to Jamaica.

Kearney remembers when Swift returned after the first Mustard Seeds trip and wasn’t sure she could go back because of the emotional toll the week took on her.

“Needless to say, this didn’t last too long. I think she ended up making 20 more trips to MSC over the past 12 years between trips with students for study abroad and Level I fieldwork and trips with the wheelchair team to assist with providing residents with properly fitted wheelchairs,” Kearney said. “So many of my most cherished memories of Sharon are at MSC; she loved the residents there, and they loved her back. It was such a joy to watch her introduce our OT students to the residents at MSC and see them fall in love with everyone there as well.”

Swift was active in her community and served as an adviser to the AU Student Occupational Therapy Association, earned certification as an assistive technology professional through RESNA and was a member of the Allied Health Honor Society Alpha Eta Society and the Occupational Therapy Honor Society Phi Theta Epsilon.

She earned degrees from the University of South Florida, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgia Southern and Augusta State University, a legacy institution of AU. She began her career at the Medical College of Georgia in 2003, initially serving at the satellite program in Columbus, Georgia. Her passion for education was evident in her instruction of more than 17 courses, which included fieldwork, research and clinical practice.

Swift was an active scholar and presenter, contributing to the profession with numerous presentations, published contributions and funded grants for the past 10 years.

Kearney said Swift taught hundreds of students, supporting their fieldwork experiences while serving as an academic coordinator of Fieldwork Education and served as a fieldwork educator to students who have traveled to MSC. She served as a Level II fieldwork educator to dozens of students through CLIMBE and at Lynndale Inc.

“One part of her legacy is the impact she has had on OT education at our institution and, through that, on the profession, especially here in Georgia and the region,” Kearney said.

Comments on the Augusta University Occupational Therapy Alumni Facebook group page expressed heartbreak but an appreciation for what Swift meant to their lives.

“I’m so saddened to hear this news. Thankful to have known her and learned from her,” said one commenter.

Another added, “Dr. Swift taught us all so much, and seeing her light up and love on all the residents in Jamaica was absolutely amazing!”

“What a difference she made for so many people. We will forever be grateful for her impact and her legacy,” a third person wrote.