Dear Alumni and Friends,

This latest issue of “PromOTing UAB” from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Occupational Therapy highlights some of the program developments and news happening here in the Magic City.

You will find out about the successful launch of our new post-professional clinical doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) that started in fall 2018; the continuing success of our nationally recognized Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation; our collaborative PhD in Rehabilitation Science with the Department of Physical Therapy; our plans to launch our entry-level OTD in the summer 2021; and more.

At the heart of our program will always be our students and our alumni.

Our students continue to be successful with the board certification examination and this past year we recorded a 100 percent pass rate. This includes one student who achieved a score in the 99th percentile nationally, placing her in the top 40 students in the U.S. - this is, and will always remain our primary outcome.

We are looking for top leaders, educators, and researchers to join our team. We have openings for program directors in our entry-level program and our PhD in Rehabilitation Science, as well as an open faculty position. Our home city, Birmingham, is a vibrant and contemporary city and we, as a faculty, are constantly working to ensure that our program remains vibrant and contemporary, like our home town.

We continue to grow, continue to challenge ourselves to excellence and I hope you enjoy reading about some of the work we do and the accolades we are achieving

Gavin Jenkins
Chair, UAB Department of Occupational Therapy

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) faculty and students recently attended the AOTA Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. UAB was well represented by faculty presentations beginning with a pre-conference institute titled "Experiencing the Built Environment as an Older Adult With Vision Loss" by Dr. Beth Barstow, and Dr. Gavin Jenkins.

Student Notes

A number of our “OT Blazers” were recognized at the UAB SHP Scholarship and Awards Luncheon on April 12, 2019.

Congratulations to all the awardees and many thanks to the individual and corporate sponsors who make these awards possible.

Entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Our program continues to attract students from all over the country and we currently have 118 students in our first and second years and have 57 students who have accepted places to join the program this fall semester.

Kelly Boyer, UAB MSOT Class of 2020

During my undergraduate college experience I worked for the university outdoor center and guided raft trips on the Nantahala River. Seven of us would wade into the chilly water, pile in the raft, and push away from the shore, letting the water carry us downstream.

Omar Mohiuddin, UAB MSOT Class of 2016

Omar Mohiuddin, a graduate of the MSOT Class of 2016, has quickly become one of our most impressive alumni in a remarkably short period of time. I had heard about some of his accomplishments, so I was excited to call him and find out more.

Jason Vice, MS, Instructor

As a non-traditional graduate student, I was often asked why I wanted to return to school at a time when most of my friends were either newlywed, having children, or well into their respective careers. As I also fit neatly into these categories, I must admit I asked myself the same question quite frequently (as did my spouse).

Imagine “our” surprise when I began my education at UAB and never left!

2019 Fieldwork Updates

Fieldwork is a vital part of the academic training for all entry-level occupational therapy students and we could not do what we do without our excellent on-site fieldwork educators.