OTD Newsroom

Teoma LaShawn, PT, DPT, MDiv, faculty development resident, Duke's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, recently served as a guest speaker for the North Carolina Black Occupational Therapy Collective, delivering a powerful message centered on the theme “Confidently Taking Up Space.” LaShawn opened the session with words that set the tone for an afternoon of empowerment and reflection.

Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) faculty member Antoine Bailliard, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, professor of orthopaedic surgery, recently served as keynote speaker at the Occupational Science Symposium hosted by the University of Southern California. This prestigious event has featured thought leaders such as Stephen Hawking, Jane Goodall, and Anthony Damasio. Dr. Bailliard was awarded the Wilma West Lecture in recognition of his research in advancing occupational science.

The November Interdisciplinary Rehabilitative Research Seminar brought together faculty, students, and clinicians from Duke’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) programs for an engaging session led by visiting professor Catherine E. Lang, PT, PhD, FASNR, FAPTA, Barbara J. Norton Professor of Physical Therapy, Professor of Neurology and Occupational Therapy, and Associate Director for Movement Science PhD Program at WashU Medicine.

Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) student Brian Gonzales Granados, OTD’26, recently presented a poster at the Society for the Study of Occupation: USA (SSO:USA) Annual Research Conference, held November 6–8 in Galveston, Texas. This year’s theme, “Occupations and Nature: Connections and Transactions,” provided the perfect backdrop for Brian to discuss spatial neglect and nature-based occupations.

In an innovative, scholarly initiative that connects academic research with educational practice, Lindy Norman, MAT, operations manager for Duke’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, recently piloted a faculty development series as part of her doctoral research in Higher Education Leadership. The influence of Barbara Hooper, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and division chief of the OTD program, has ensured that, from its inception, the program is a learning community that supports excellence in education.

This Veterans Day, Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) proudly honors Emily “Emy” Kenser, a second-year student whose journey from military service to occupational therapy reflects resilience, transformation, and a deep commitment to meaningful service.

This Veterans Day, Duke’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program highlights the transformative power of service and healing through the story of Chante Perlberg, OTD'27. With a background as a veteran and military spouse, Chante’s path to occupational therapy is rooted in lived experience, empathy, and a drive to support others through life’s most difficult transitions.

Graduate students Gavin Thompson and Riya Hathi, both members of Duke’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Class of 2027, are helping shape the future of youth health in Durham through their work on Going Places, a community-based research initiative led by Dr.

Duke Orthopaedics celebrated Halloween in style with our annual social and virtual costume contest—and what a frightfully fun time it was! The festivities kicked off with a pizza lunch (thank you, Dr. Alman!), setting the stage for an afternoon filled with music, laughter, and community-building opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. It was wonderful to see everyone come together to share in the spirit of the season.

At the October session of Duke’s Interdisciplinary Rehab Research Seminar Series, Dr. Michael Iwama, Professor in the Occupational Therapy Division at Duke Orthopaedic Surgery and Assistant Director of Duke’s Health Center for Interprofessional Education and Care, delivered a compelling presentation titled “The Kawa Model: De-colonizing Occupational Therapy.”