VCU’s Department of Occupational Therapy earns national ranking

By Lindsay McClaire
University News Services

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Allied Health’s Department of Occupational Therapy has been ranked 15th in the nation for occupational therapy schools in 2006 by U.S. News and World Report.

 “I think being in the top 15 is fabulous. We continue to strive to be better, to be a truly outstanding program,” said Shelly Lane, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy. “I think we are a well-kept secret.”

The full-time faculty of nine consists of one Ph.D. in psychology, four occupational therapists with Ph.D.s in public health, instructional technology and neuroscience, one occupational therapist with a doctor of science in occupational therapy and three occupational therapists with master’s degrees.

“The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is a wonderful opportunity to connect up-to-date theory and research to practice,” said Jennifer DeSanto, VCU occupational therapist and clinician. “Being a clinician, this opportunity makes evidence-based practice more rewarding.”

A number of faculty members speak throughout the United States and overseas each year on various occupational therapy issues. Many are published in medical journals and have authored books themselves.

“We have outstanding faculty who are busy in all aspects of academic life, teaching service and research, and who are well known in the field,” said Lane. “Our faculty have received service awards, writing awards and awards for bridging research and practice.”

According to Lane, another great aspect of the program is the small-class environment that allows students to know their peers and instructors on a more personal and collaborative level.

“Because we are small, we have the opportunity to work closely with students and we think this is a real plus,” said Lane.

Several new programs are in the development process. The newest is the OTD program, which was started in fall 2006.

“The focus is on the development of leadership skills, to guide occupational therapists into healthcare leadership roles and positions,” said Lane. Applicants are required to have either a Bachelor of Science or master’s degree in occupational therapy since it is a post-professional program.

“Being enrolled in the OTD program at VCU has changed me in a way for which I was not prepared,” said Grace Bitgood, a student in the OTD program. “I have the opportunity to learn from both professors and my classmates on a daily basis.”

Available programs in the school include an entry-level master’s program, a post-professional master’s program, a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate program and an occupational therapy track in the School of Allied Health Professions’ interdisciplinary doctorate program.

For more information, visit http://www.sahp.vcu.edu/occu/.