OTD Newsroom

The Duke Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research Group completed the fall 2024 dates of its Seminar Series with three insightful lectures that highlighted cross-institution collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Faculty members can be tempted to deprioritize writing due to other responsibilities. Sarah Barton, ThD, MS, OTR/L, BCP, assistant professor in Orthopaedic Surgery, has faced this challenge.

As a third-year student, I was curious about what insights I would gain as I walked into the AOTA Education Summit held in Charlotte, NC, in early November. As it turns out, I found it helpful in preparing me for my education-based capstone, as the summit showcased innovations that were as inspiring as they were transformative.

Enabling Occupation Skills IV, or OTD 603, is a pivotal course within Duke University's Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. It is designed to enhance students' theoretical understanding and foster hands-on experience with real-world applications.

I’m an occupational therapist in the Wake County Public School System, serving elementary and middle school students. I’m also an assistant instructor in the Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, teaching alongside our wonderful Capstone Coordinator Cambey Mikush, OTD, OTR/L.

I’m currently working as a contractor for Therapeutic Solutions of NC, Dr. Tomeico Faison’s company, as an OT consultant. I'm based out of Durham with a hybrid schedule, seeing clients in the community and sometimes working from home. I provide OT consultation services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their care teams.

When thinking seriously about occupational therapy schools, I knew I wanted to go to a program out of state. I lived in Seattle for 15 years and felt I needed a change.

It was the best choice! I have gained many transformative experiences that led to personal growth in the past year. I am confident in my abilities as a mature adult to handle errands and even purchase home insurance. Freedom has been abundant compared to living with my parents, and I can feel the shift in my mental health.

In recognition of Veterans Day, we reached out to Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students who have served in the military or have a military affiliation through a family member or partner. Their stories reveal how these experiences have influenced their lives and shaped their identities.

In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, two Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate students shared how their native heritage has shaped their occupations, identities, and lives.

Antoine Bailliard, PhD, MS, OTR/L, collaborated with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) over the summer to educate and train frontline community mental health workers. His efforts focused on promoting best practices in psychosocial rehabilitation and enhancing the ability of these workers to support individuals in achieving meaningful participation in their communities.