From the Desk of the Chair
Carole Ivey, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

One of the most common questions asked of top-ranked programs is whether, after reaching that level of recognition, it becomes tempting to pause and reflect rather than continue to push forward. At VCU Occupational Therapy, our answer is unequivocal: Excellence is not something we arrive at and maintain; it is something we actively pursue, again and again.

That commitment is evident in the breadth of work featured in this issue. Our Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program recently earned full 10-year accreditation from ACOTE with no areas of noncompliance, affirming the strength of our curriculum and our innovative capstone model. Yet accreditation is not an endpoint. It reflects ongoing reflection about how we prepare students for the evolving needs of practice, research and community impact.

You will also see how that philosophy comes to life through our students. In the spotlight story of Cameran Pickett, OT students combined technical skill, creativity and empathy to design adaptive fishing equipment that restored independence and possibility after a life-altering injury. Moments like these – where learning, innovation and human impact intersect – are at the heart of who we are.
Our faculty continue to raise the bar through ambitious, interdisciplinary research that reaches far beyond traditional boundaries. From Dean Amy Darragh’s leadership in a national NIH pediatric stroke rehabilitation trial, to Timothy Rich’s work advancing understanding of spatial neglect, to Brooke Dexheimer’s research exploring how the brain adapts movement in essential tremor, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to advancing science in ways that directly inform care.

Excellence in teaching remains equally central. Kerry Mader’s recognition with VCU’s inaugural Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Award, along with Lauren Andelin’s national leadership in sensory integration and processing, and Christine McNichols’ work expanding statewide expertise in lymphedema care, underscore how our faculty continuously refine how and what we teach – always with students and clients in mind.

Together, these stories reflect what truly defines a leading program. We are continually asking how we can do better – for our students, for the people they will serve and for the future of occupational therapy. I invite you to explore the stories in this issue and see how VCU OT continues to raise the bar.

Warm regards,
Carole Ivey, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy
Virginia Commonwealth University