In August, the Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate program welcomed 45 new students who entered the three-year program. Members of the Class of 2026 bring a wide range of lived experiences contributing to a rich learning environment. They hail from states across the nation and represent a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Here are just a few:
Mylee Graham (she/her)
Columbus, Ohio
Favorite occupations
Dancing, painting, hiking or anything outdoors. Something I would like to learn how to do for fun is to make pottery or build furniture.
Career goals
"I want to be an OT so that I can advocate and support others in their health journeys by meeting them where they are at and providing holistic care to underrepresented communities. I would love to incorporate my background in dance and psychology and the knowledge I have gained about the healing powers of movement into my practice as an OT."
Brian Gonzalez Granados
Durham NC
Favorite occupations
Playing soccer, going to the gym, and watching sports! One thing I want to learn how to do for fun is skateboarding.
Career goals
I want to be an occupational therapist so that I can assist individuals who have been excluded from healthcare due to language barriers and/or financial limitations.