OTD Newsroom

The Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program contributed to campus-wide planetary health efforts by participating in the second annual Planetary Health Fair, held on April 1 in the main atrium of the School of Nursing’s Pearson Building.

After presenting work on participation, access, and adolescent mental health, a Duke OTD student shares how conferences helped broaden her perspective on occupational therapy’s role worldwide.

Duke Orthopaedic Surgery continues to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration in rehabilitation research through its Interdisciplinary Rehabilitative Research Seminar Series, which this week featured Megan Kennelly, MD, assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery with expertise in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM).

Duke OTD students were among the presenters at the 2026 Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day & Symposium, held March 10 at the Interprofessional Education Building. The Poster Competition is a core component of the event, offering a forum for students and trainees to present research spanning clinical, translational, and educational domains.

A group of pre-health students from North Carolina A&T University recently visited Duke to gain an inside look at the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) programs. The visit provided students with the opportunity to explore campus facilities, observe classes in action, and connect directly with program faculty and staff.

Raheleh Ghasseminia, PhD, MS, OT/L, assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and a member of the Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, successfully defended her dissertation and earned her PhD in Community Health Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Department of Public Health Education.

First-year students in the Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program joined peers from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Nursing, and Physician Assistant (PA) programs for the annual Adaptive Sports Experience (ASE), held this year at the Brodie Recreation Center. This immersive event brought together interprofessional learners and community athletes to explore the importance of inclusive fitness, wellness, and participation for people with disabilities.

Faculty, students, and alumni from the Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate in the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress. This global gathering welcomed nearly 2,400 occupational therapy professionals from 78 countries. The biennial meeting serves as one of the profession’s most influential venues for international education, research exchange, and cultural dialogue.

Lindy Norman, MAT, operations manager for Duke’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, is no stranger to building something meaningful from the ground up. As the OTD program’s first staff member, Norman played a pivotal role in transforming the division from an emerging idea into a thriving academic community. She helped guide the program through its foundational years—supporting curriculum development, accreditation efforts, faculty and staff recruitment, and the launch of its inaugural cohort.

Black History Month is a moment for our profession to honor Black leaders whose vision, scholarship, and service have shaped occupational therapy. The individuals highlighted here represent a legacy of insight and innovation that continues to influence the field today. Their work strengthens our shared commitment to ensuring that occupational therapy grows in ways that welcome, reflect, and serve every community.