Forty-five new students joined the Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program on Monday, August 5.
Their three-year program began with a busy Orientation week, kicked off by Division Chief Barbara Hooper, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA welcoming them to the Duke OTD community. Students were introduced to their home teams and the faculty member assigned to support them. The conversations were lively and robust as students introduced themselves to one another and continued to form bonds—some of which will remain tight beyond their time in the program.
Other activities included tours of the Interprofessional Education and Erwin Square Plaza buildings and the medical campus to see the classrooms, labs, and other spaces where they’ll spend time as students. A resource fair at the Trent Semans Center for Health Education introduced the School of Medicine community and how its groups support OTD students. Employees and students stationed at booths talked about extracurricular opportunities, clubs and more places where students can get involved and find support.
Although Tropical Storm Debby disrupted some of the planned activities near the end the week, the Class of 2027 Convocation on Friday, August 9, provided an energizing conclusion to Orientation. New students reflected on the week with many sharing how the warm reception from the community made them feel at ease from day one. Second-year students, staff, and faculty shared advice to help prepare the new cohort for success in the program.
Frederick B. Covington, OTD, CAPE, CAS, CA, ETIS, FAOTA, delivered the keynote address titled "Limitless: Realizing the Untethered Scope of Possibilities Within a Career in Occupational Therapy." His inspiring talk touched on how occupational therapy can serve communities, organizations, and populations outside traditional rehab settings.
"Your own story and professional trajectory exemplify the possibilities," Dr. Hooper told Dr. Covington. "I imagine that students left Convocation with their perspectives on their chosen career expanded."
