On Friday, April 9, Dr. Jack and Mrs. Carlyn Dalness visited the Department of Occupational Therapy, joined by their sons, Todd and Greg, and daughter-in-law, Stacy, for a tour of our spaces and a lunch with Amy Darragh, Ph.D., OTR/L, dean of the College of Health Professions, and Carole Ivey, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, OT chair.

Their visit highlighted the meaningful impact of their generous support, including contributions to the Assistive Technology Lab, the Research Wing and the NERDD Lab.

The Dalness family’s philanthropy honors Carlyn Dalness’ late father, Herbert Meyer, a World War II veteran who sustained significant injuries and spent two years recovering at Walter Reed. During that time, occupational therapists played a critical role in his recovery, an experience Carlyn describes as “bringing him back to life.” This legacy of care and transformation inspired their commitment to advancing the field.

Their generosity has had a profound impact on both our teaching and research. Investments in cutting-edge assistive technology have enhanced hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to engage directly with the technologies shaping contemporary practice. During the visit, Hannah Feder, OTD ’26, shared how her program experience prepared her to train others in assistive technology during her clinical placement – an experience that has influenced her career goals after graduation.

The Dalness family also had the opportunity to hear about ongoing research initiatives. They visited our newest research lab, the Gaze & Vision Rehabilitation Lab of Timothy Rich, Ph.D., OTR/L. Brooke Dexheimer, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L, alongside Krisha Maroju, undergraduate HPEX student researcher, Annalise Porreca, OTD ’26, and Narges Yaghoubi, Ph.D. student and physical therapist, shared their current projects, which will be featured at upcoming conferences and VCU’s Research Week.

After the lunch, Darragh presented Dr. and Mrs Caryn Dalness a commendation certificate that recognized “their outstanding and sustained stewardship, whose generous support of our Occupational Therapy research laboratories and student equipment has made a lasting impact.”

We are deeply grateful for the Dalness family’s continued support and the lasting impact of their investment in our students, faculty and future of occupational therapy.