Jennifer Weaver brings expertise in brain injury rehabilitation, measurement and implementation research to VCU CHP
The Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions continues to grow its faculty and recently appointed Jennifer Weaver as an associate professor. According to Weaver, VCU Occupational Therapy has been on her radar as she has followed the research and grant successes emerging from the college and across the university, and she hopes to play a bigger part in its story.
Beyond finger tapping: How VCU researchers are rethinking Parkinson’s testing
Brooke Dexheimer is investigating how subtle differences in dominant and nondominant hand function could lead to more sensitive clinical testing for Parkinson's disease. (VCU News)
VCU Occupational Therapy’s Design Course: Students use their skills to help two boys enjoy summer
The Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions is constantly developing new and innovative ways to help those in need. One way the department prepares its students for future careers, encourages creativity and assists those in need is through its design course.
Think Tank helps spur research and collaboration in sensory integration
Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions recently welcomed multiple scholars from across the nation for a two-day think tank on sensory integration science and advancing research and clinical care for individuals with sensory processing and integration differences.
Bringing our impact into our communities
This spring, I’m reminded of the many ways our department continues to make a meaningful impact within our classrooms, across our profession and throughout the communities we serve.
Dalness family sees impact of their generosity
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.
Class of 2026: Sydney Hilovsky takes occupational therapy to the pool for children with autism
Hilovsky has been pursuing two doctoral degrees in the College of Health Professions, and her aquatic therapy project already has had real-world impact. (VCU News)
Students honored with scholarship, program awards
Read about the students receiving scholarships and program awards.
VCU Occupational Therapy faculty recognized at CHP ceremony
Two faculty members from the VCU Department of Occupational Therapy were recognized for their outstanding contributions to teaching and student learning during the VCU College of Health Professions Awards of Excellence Ceremony on March 27 at the Hippodrome Theater.
Raising the bar – again and again
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.
Deans do research, too: College of Health Professions’ Darragh continues work on pediatric stroke rehabilitation trial
Infants and toddlers in intensive therapy are at the center of a groundbreaking national stroke study that has the potential to shape pediatric rehabilitation for children with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke.
Same class. New stories. 40 years later.
On a beautiful fall weekend, October 18–21, 2025, former Virginia Commonwealth University occupational therapy classmates—most of whom had not seen one another since graduation—returned to Richmond to celebrate the 40th anniversary of earning their Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.
Andelin leads national sensory integration section
Lauren Andelin, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, serves as chair of AOTA’s Sensory Integration and Processing Special Interest Section (SIPSIS), leading a national community committed to advancing best practices in sensory integration and processing.
In Memoriam: Fred Sammons
We are deeply saddened to share that Dr. Fred Sammons passed away on November 17, 2025. Dr. Sammons was a graduate of the occupational therapy program at the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI) Class of 1955 (RPI and the Medical College of Virginia merged in 1968 to become Virginia Commonwealth University).
VCU OT earns full 10-year accreditation
At its December meeting, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) granted VCU's Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program a Status of Accreditation for the maximum 10-year period – with no suggestions and no areas of noncompliance.
Ukrainian delegates visit CHP to explore clinical practices
A delegation of Ukrainian health professionals visited the VCU College of Health Professions in early November as part of the Congressional Office for International Leadership’s Open World Program, a 10-day exchange that connects global leaders with American institutions.
VCU OT leads hands-on lymphedema training for practitioners across Virginia
Nearly 1 in 30 people worldwide live with lymphedema, a chronic and often debilitating condition that can complicate daily activities and increase risks for infection. Yet few occupational and physical therapists receive specialized training to identify and address it early.
OT researcher earns pilot grant to uncover how the brain adapts movement
When Brooke Dexheimer, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L, joined VCU Occupational Therapy, she built her research program around a deceptively simple question: How do we learn to move? Her newest grant – a $75,000 pilot award from the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center – takes that question deeper than ever before, quite literally.
Mader receives VCU Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Award
Kerry Mader, OTD, OTR/L, CLA, c/NDT, assistant professor in the VCU Department of Occupational Therapy, was named among the inaugural recipients of the university’s Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Award (EPIA) on September 10.
Bringing new insight to how the brain sees the world
When Timothy Rich, Ph.D., OTR/L, describes spatial neglect — the complex, often hidden cognitive condition he studies — he starts with a simple statement: “Imagine ignoring half your world without realizing it.”
‘I can still do the things I want to do’
How VCU OT students helped a young man return to the water
CHP simulation lab upgrades raise the bar for OT and PT training
When they step into the simulation lab on the second floor of the College of Health Professions this fall, students will find it has undergone considerable changes. Thanks to a $108,000 allocation from the Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund, it now features a more immersive, hands-on training environment that reflects the evolving demands of modern health care.
VCU Alumni 10 Under 10 award recipients to be honored for noteworthy achievements
Distinguished graduates from throughout the university will be recognized at a private ceremony Oct. 25. Caitlyn Berry earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the VCU College of Health Professions in 2015. Berry, one of this year’s 10 Under 10 honorees, has built her career in disability services. (VCU News)
‘Tiny dinosaur moments’ mark 2025 OT Vesting Ceremony
Sometimes, the smallest things can make the biggest difference. For Caitlyn Berry, a handful of tiny dinosaur erasers – symbols of encouragement she once handed to struggling marathoners – became a metaphor for the power of occupational therapy.
Chu earns tenure and a $25,000 community engagement grant
Virginia Chu, Ph.D., OTR/L, is celebrating a dual milestone: her promotion to tenured faculty and a grant from the VCU Division of Community Engagement.
Elevating the student experience
Our students remain front and center throughout the year, but the transitional moments that happen during the summer provide a moment to celebrate their successes and consider the impact of our VCU Occupational Therapy program.
PhD grad advances research on caregiver engagement in autism interventions
Lynne Hollaway, an occupational therapist and clinical instructor at the University of Central Arkansas, recently completed her doctoral degree through the VCU College of Health Professions’ Ph.D. Program in Health Related Sciences. Her research is already having a positive impact in the field of pediatric occupational therapy.
Berry receives Alum, Dean’s Outstanding Service awards
Caitlyn E. Berry, ’15, M.S., OTR/L, has received both our department’s Jayne Shepherd Making a Difference Alumni Award and the College of Health Professions' 2025 Dean’s Outstanding Service Award.
Class of 2025 demonstrates compassion, readiness to lead
This past spring, members of the Class of 2024 didn’t just complete their senior capstone projects. In this work, our latest graduates demonstrated what it means to be agents of change.
Students showcase innovations at 2025 Design Fair
In June, the next generation of occupational therapy innovators wrapped up their intensive three-week design course with a burst of creativity and purpose at the annual OT Design Fair.
OT Academy opens doors for aspiring clinicians
The annual five-day academy – presented by VCU’s Occupational Therapy Department – invites undergraduate students and recent graduates to explore careers in occupational therapy. The program also aims to help participants better understand the field, connect with peers and ultimately enroll in an OT graduate program.
Innovative teaching, scientific research and student support power VCU's top-ranked program
VCU’s Occupational Therapy team has long been committed to elevating how we prepare the next generation of practitioners – and we’re honored to see our efforts recognized as we rose to No. 9 in U.S. News & World Report’s graduate programs rankings released this week.
Students reflect on how OT scholarships support academic program
Department, campus and national scholarships are supporting occupational therapy students in tuition support, as well as earning accolades for their research and fieldwork.
Innovative curriculum advances collaborative, inclusive school-based services
Supported by a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Carole K. Ivey, Ph.D., chair of VCU’s Department of Occupational Therapy, is leading an innovative training and mentorship program that brings together future occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech language pathologists can better prepare them for careers in school-based practice – and transform educational experiences for students with disabilities.
VCU Occupational Therapy: Presentations and Publications (2024-25)
Explore Occupational Therapy faculty research.
Dean Darragh brings leadership, research to new role at VCU
As the new dean of VCU’s College of Health Professions, Amy R. Darragh, OTR/L, Ph.D., FAOTA, is tapping into her extensive background as a leader and as an occupational therapy researcher to continue elevating research and learning experiences within the college’s highly acclaimed OT program
Translational research and growing rankings set the table for OT success in ‘25
As we head into 2025, there’s much to be excited about in the VCU Department of Occupational Therapy.
VCU OT explores motor learning and brain stimulation through NIH-funded study
A VCU occupational therapist, Brooke Dexheimer, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L, is a co-investigator in a groundbreaking multi-site study, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), to understand motor learning and brain stimulation in patients recovering from neurological injuries and stroke.
OT Faculty member brings holistic health approach to innovative care model
Bringing a focus on holistic health approaches, Glenda Watkins, OTD, OTR/L, NASM-PES, assistant professor of occupational therapy, has joined a team supporting the Mobile Health and Wellness Program (MHWP), an innovative care model for older adults in underserved communities across urban and rural Virginia.
cRam Session: Understanding Disability Through Media
3 questions, 2 minutes, 1 lesson with Carole Ivey and Glenda Watkins, who co-lead a course with occupational therapy graduate students that might have you rethinking James Bond and Marvel movies.
A craving for chips and salsa serves up a dose of independence
Ed Aloma, living with advanced multiple sclerosis since 1991, wanted to enjoy chips and salsa independently. He brought the challenge to Occupational Therapy students, including his daughter Katie, as a real-world occupational synthesis assignment. Through creativity and adaptive design thinking, the students helped restore a moment of autonomy, showcasing the power of OT to enhance daily life in deeply meaningful ways.
Occupational Therapy faculty member is among recipients of 2024 VCU Quest Fund
Brooke Dexheimer, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions Department of Occupational Therapy, has been awarded a grant from the 2024 VCU Quest Fund.
Celebrating excellence: climbing the ranks and achieving new heights!
We are thrilled to announce that our department has moved up in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, climbing to #14! This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in education, research, and community engagement.
Ashley Gros receives prestigious AOTF Fred Sammons Endowed Scholarship
Congratulations to Grad II Ashley Gros for receiving an AOTF Virginia Occupational Therapy Association Fred Sammons Endowed Scholarship.
Deanna Dambrose receives Jayne T. Shepherd Making a Difference Alumni Award
At the Department of Occupational Therapy’s Pinning and Hooding Ceremony, Deanna Dambrose, OTD, OTR/L, QMHP-A received the Jayne T. Shepherd “Making a Difference” Alumni Award in recognition of her service to the field and the department.
Congratulations to Dr. Virginia Chu on receiving a NIRA award!
Dr. Virginia Chu was recently honored as part of the VCU inaugural class of National/International Recognition Award (NIRA) scholars. Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, created the NIRA in partnership with Marlon Levy, M.D., interim senior vice president for VCU Health Sciences. (VCU News)
Celebrating achievements and embracing opportunities in occupational therapy
As we embrace the vibrancy of spring, I am thrilled to share some exciting updates and upcoming events from the Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University.
VCU Occupational Therapy Student on winning Interprofessional Case Competition Team
Occupational Therapy students Anne Franklin (left) and Erika Poole (right) (both Class of 2025) competed in the final round of the 2023-2024 International Interprofessional Case Competition, as part of separate interprofessional teams made up of learners across professions from institutions all over the world.
Dr. Stacey Reynolds receives applied research grant to improve access to community-based occupations via a rideshare training program
Dr. Stacey Reynolds was recently awarded an Applied Research Grant from the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). The project entitled Improving Access to Community-Based Occupations via a Rideshare Training Program is a 1-year project to train autistic adults to use Rideshare services (e.g., Uber, Lyft).
New faculty member gets grant to study motor deficits in Parkinson’s
Brooke Dexheimer, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L has been awarded a Shirley Ryan AbilityLab research grant as part of the C-STAR Pilot Project Program to support her research quantifying fine motor deficits in early-stage Parkinson’s Disease.
Half a world away, VCU’s Tony Gentry shares his wisdom on technology and autism
The College of Health Professions expert recently completed a long-delayed Fulbright fellowship in Malaysia. (VCU News)
