OTD Newsroom

Duke University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program students and faculty were strong contributors to this year’s North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference held November 3-5 at Rowan Cabarrus Community College.

Along with key presenters, Capstone Coordinator and Assistant Professor Cambey Mikush, OTD, OTR/L, was honored with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award at the Annual Lunch and Awards Ceremony (Read more)

Each year the NCOTA Annual Awards North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (NCOTA) recognizes and honors colleagues who have made significant contributions to the profession of occupational therapy.

We are celebrating Native American Heritage Month and honoring the many ways that individuals and communities have contributed to and uplifted our nation.  We are proud to honor the members of our own OTD family, first-year student Ahriyanna Bullard and third-year student Carnell (Cal)Yazzie. 

Second-year OTD student Peyton Gemmell led a short course, An Occupational Perspective on Navigating Food-Related Occupations for Adults with ADHD, at the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association’s fall conference held Nov. 3-5. 

Have you seen the Iwama Mamas play?  The team is a group of Duke OTD students who participate in Duke Intramural Sports’ basketball, flag football, soccer, and pickleball games.

The Iwama Mamas just wrapped up the flag football and pickleball season but are looking forward to a soccer playoff game at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. at Cohan Fields. Next semester, basketball and pickleball will resume.

Class of 2024 OTD student Karol Guerrero recently shared an update on her current fieldwork assignment at Colorado State University.

What kind of work are you doing?  

Ben Tupper is OTD's Educational Technology Specialist. While his primary role is to administer our Learning Management System, he's a true magician in finding solutions to nearly every challenge that comes his way. 

OTD's Weekly Huddle sessions provide protected space to 1) share updates and opportunities from the Division and SOM in a venue that ensures everyone hears the same information, 2) provide additional learning opportunities related to our Division’s commitments, and 3) conduct formal and informal program check-ins.
 

Where are you placed for this assignment?
I am working in the surgical intensive care unit at Duke University Hospital. This unit houses patients who have had recent surgeries and traumas, requiring complex medical needs and more direct nursing management. We often see patients from all surgical specialties- transplants, orthopedics, vascular, general, ENT, etc. We also see patients who have suffered significant traumas requiring surgical intervention and subsequent medical needs requiring intensive care. 

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: