Dr. Tomeico Faison is an assistant professor and director of minority recruitment for the OTD program. She earned a bachelor's and a master's from UNC-Chapel Hill in radiologic science and occupational therapy respectively. She earned a clinical doctoral degree in occupational therapy with an emphasis on social entrepreneurship from Boston University.
What excites you about your role at Duke?
I am excited by innovation and interprofessional collaboration. My innate love for entrepreneurship is cultivated as an intrapreneur at Duke in multiple ways, such as creating and coordinating the Innovation and Entrepreneurship OT electives with Fuqua School of Business faculty, co-writing and co-coordinating the vision rehab certificate, previously co-leading the establishment of our COTAD chapter, leading the mentorship program and collaborating with the Duke School of Nursing as an Advanced Practitioner Provider Leadership (APPLI) advisory board member and speaker.
Where do you see your specific field and specialty advancing in the next five years?
I see occupational therapy advancing in social entrepreneurship due to the rising interest in OT service provision outside of traditional settings. I also see advances in specialized areas of practice, such as low vision rehab, women’s health, and community mental health as leaders in our profession advocate and demonstrate the distinct value that we can bring in these areas of practice.
Tell us more about your role in recruiting OTD students.
I collaborate with our admissions director on recruiting students from underrepresented groups. These collaborations include but are not limited to speaking at HBCUs and college groups with diverse representation, meeting 1:1 with prospective students who would like to discuss being a person from an underrepresented group in our profession, serving as the undergraduate health professions advisor at Duke, collaborating on EDI initiatives and being part of the leadership team for our Summer Discovery Day. I also collaborate with Dr. Mikush in our program and with Dr. Adams, and Dr. Greco of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, on our summer ImpACT program, a pipeline program for high school students that emphasizes health promotion and introduces them to the OT and PT professions.
What excites you about teaching?
I enjoy seeing the evolution of learning with students - - whether that is noting an increased understanding about a particular concept or topic or an increased awareness about who they are and how they can contribute to the profession as formal or informal leaders.
Where are you from?
Dudley and Faison, NC; I am NC born and raised.
What brings you joy? So much! Faith, family, friends, music, pets, the arts, nature and laughing, and of course if you know me, entrepreneurship!
I have been married for 24 years and have two sons, three dogs, one bird, five fish tanks, and an Iguana. I am also an auntie to many young people-- blood and not-blood-related. A few of my hobbies include writing and reciting poetry, attending concerts and plays, 5k walks/runs, and renovating distressed properties while commentating and pretending like I am on HGTV.