"We are confident in our admissions process to select students who will succeed and contribute to our aim and be outstanding occupational therapists. Everyone is here based on their merits, achievements, and promise."
The US Supreme Court decision lands hard for many in academia because learning through diversity has become an established best practice in education. And in health professions education, learning through diversity has become a means for addressing health disparities.
I want to assure everyone that Duke OTD’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is undaunted. The more diverse we are, the more we learn. The more we learn, the more we have to offer those in occupational transitions. The more we offer those in occupational transitions, the more we advance equity and inclusion.
Therefore, Duke OTD’s commitment to holistic admissions is also undaunted. Like good occupational therapists, we may need to adapt within the new context prescribed by the SCOTUS and changing policies, but we will always use diverse life experiences aligned with our Curriculum Vision and Aim to select each new cohort of students. We are confident in our admissions process to select students who will succeed and contribute to our aim and be outstanding occupational therapists. Everyone is here based on their merits, achievements, and promise.
We are very fortunate to have Gair McCullough, MA, MACP, and Tomeico Faison, OTD, OTR/L, leading our recruitment and admissions processes. We are also working with experts at Duke who support the University’s commitment to a “racially and socially equitable Duke.”
Admissions is just the beginning, though. Now is a time to redouble our efforts - during and after the admissions process - to create our desired culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging at Duke OTD and throughout occupational therapy.