As we head into 2025, there’s much to be excited about in the VCU Department of Occupational Therapy. To start, we celebrate that the new dean of our College of Health Professions is Dr. Amy Darragh, an occupational therapist by specialty and a nationally recognized researcher in pediatric neurorehabilitation, team science and virtual technologies. We know she will help shine a spotlight on the many great things underway at both our department and across the college.

We also are proud of our robust research portfolio, including a NIH-funded study looking at how we learn to move our hands again after neurological injury or illness. Dr. Brooke Dexheimer is the co-investigator on this research that connects us with two other universities.

The thread that ties our department’s research and practice together is advocacy for the individuals we serve. Take, for example, Dr. Stacey Reynolds, whose broad work in supporting clients with Barth Syndrome has led to approval of the first therapeutic for the rare genetic disorder that causes heart dysfunction, muscle weakness, neutropenia, growth delays, and mitochondrial defects primarily in males. This speaks to our never-ending mission to take new understandings from research to the front line, as we strive to make the best recommendations and provide the best therapies for the unique needs of each client.

Our focus on research and advocacy also creates unparalleled opportunities for our students to develop important skills outside the classroom.

We’re deep in our annual recruiting process and beginning to send admissions offers. We are seeing an uptick in applications and stronger candidates, and we’re setting the bar high as we build the Class of 2028.

Finally, we’re continuing to offer innovative instruction, and investments in our simulation labs will keep us at the forefront of the OT profession and among the top programs nationwide. These labs continue to benefit our student learning and their preparedness for clinical work. In 2024, we climbed to the No. 14 OT program as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, a milestone we celebrate with our dedicated faculty, hardworking students and supportive alumni.

VCU’s Occupational Therapy team is poised to build on our 2024 success, and we can’t wait to share more in the months ahead.