2024 Annual Newsletter
Our mission is to prepare practice scholars, educational innovators, and professional leaders who use clinically meaningful research in the implementation of best practice to meet the changing demands of the Occupational Therapy profession.
Embracing Excellence as a R1 Institution
Message from the Chair
Dear Faculty, Students, Alumni, Colleagues, and Friends,
Greetings from the Department of Occupational Therapy at Baylor University, an integral part of the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences! I am delighted to welcome you to the inaugural issue of our department's annual newsletter. This edition is a showcase of our academic achievements and research endeavors, a reflective journey through our significant milestones, and a preview of our future aspirations. Among our notable accomplishments are the flourishing continuation of our Post-professional OTD program and the graduation of our second cohort of Entry-level OTD students in December 2023, each underscoring our dedication to innovation in healthcare education.
In our journey of academic progress and noteworthy successes, Baylor's attainment of the “R1” Carnegie Classification is a standout milestone. This designation of “Doctoral/Very High Research Activity” reflects our university's unwavering commitment to scholarly excellence and educational innovation. Our inclusion in this prestigious group highlights the Department's significant role in shaping the evolving landscape of occupational therapy research and education.
As we continue to build on this distinguished status, our department is dedicated to cultivating a research-rich environment that embraces diversity and promotes a sense of belonging. Our faculty's cutting-edge research, our students' creative endeavors, and our alumni's emerging contributions are essential to our department's success. Together, we are not just upholding the standards of an R1 institution; we are poised to set new benchmarks for excellence in occupational therapy.
In this newsletter, you'll find stories of inspiration, innovation, and community engagement that embody our commitment to excellence. As your Chair, I am honored to be part of this journey; to share, connect, and grow together.
Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here's to a year filled with discovery, growth, and success.
Warm regards,
Marian Gillard, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Clinical Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Occupational Therapy
Baylor University's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
Faculty in Baylor University's Department of Occupational Therapy are also talented researchers and scholars. Here are a few highlights from throughout the year:
Teresa Fair-Field, OTD, OTR/L, Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor University, leads an NIH-funded initiative to pioneer a smartphone-based developmental screener. This innovative app aims to detect critical motor markers in infants' first year, aiding families in early identification of developmental risks.
The Department of Occupational Therapy utilizes virtual reality technology as an education tool, integrated within three courses. Students virtually engage patients at a hospital, during a home assessment, and in a community setting.
Baylor University's upcoming Hybrid Teaching Certificate program is designed for any occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who desires to develop the skills to teach in a hybrid classroom. The program is currently seeking final approvals from the University and scheduled to launch Fall 2024
In December 2023, the Department of Occupational Therapy celebrated the graduation of its second cohort of practitioners, including 72 Entry-level and 18 Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduates.
After passing the CHSE® exam, Kirsten Davin, OTD, OTR, ATP, SMS, CAPS, Clinical Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in Baylor University's Department of Occupational Therapy, has been recognized as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator® (CHSE®).
Baylor University's Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program provides extensive opportunities for Fieldwork and Capstone experiences, reflecting its national scope as a hybrid OTD program. The program offers more than 5,500 clinical education locations across the United States.
Baylor Occupational Therapy is set to launch its Alumni Group in 2024. The group will offer a range of opportunities for graduates to engage with and give back to the Baylor community.
For Hispanic Heritage Month, Baylor's Robbins College is highlighting a few of our outstanding Hispanic and Latino Americans Bears. Dr. Ricardo Altahif is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Occupational Therapy who champions the importance of underrepresented minorities, particularly Hispanic and Latinos, to the profession and practice of occupational therapy.
Using skills developed from her coursework and with the support of her faculty instructor, Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Jenna Fanelli partnered with her physical therapist colleague to apply for—and receive—a grant to further collaboration between their two professions.