On April 19, ̽̽ celebrated its inaugural class of 16 occupational therapy students with a special ceremony attended by program leaders, university administrators, and Patrick and Marcelle Leahy. The students will start their clinical practice at sites nationwide this summer.
̽̽ launched the new occupational therapy program in 2023 in response to growing demand for OT services in Vermont, which is currently ranked third among states with the highest elderly population per capita. Population estimates have grown by almost 20,000 in the state since 2010, from 625,900 to about 645,600 in 2021, and the number of Vermonters aged 65-79 has increased by more than 40,000 as baby boomers enter their retirement years.
One of the fastest growing fields in the U.S., occupational therapy is founded on the belief that all individuals have the right to engage in life at their desired capacity regardless of varying levels of ability. Occupational therapists help individuals of all abilities engage in life at their desired capacity, whether it's by helping someone relearn daily activities after an injury or achieve goals once thought impossible. Adding occupational therapists to the workforce can help reduce wait times for evaluations and improve care delivery efficiency. OTs also enhance quality of life for older adults.
“The demand for occupational therapists continues to rise as the population ages in Vermont and nationwide. ̽̽'s new program, with its state-of-the-art classrooms and innovative labs, is at the forefront of training future therapists,” said Leahy.
As a senator, Patrick Leahy directed $5.75M in funding from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the FY22 Appropriations bill for state-of-the-art laboratories and classroom renovations to support the new occupational therapy doctoral degree program. The new facilities, set to be completed in late summer 2024, will feature pediatric and outdoor laboratories and a "smart apartment" filled with accessible technologies designed to enhance independence and improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities and older adults aging in place.
Occupational Therapy Program Director Victoria Priganc noted the many years of planning and preparation that went into the founding of the OT program. “The community has wanted this program for a long time, and it wasn’t possible without the support of ̽̽, the OT community, and Senator Leahy,” she said. “But there’s another group of people who’ve been so important in making this happen, and that’s our first cohort of students. They have really helped to shape this program.”
When it opens later this year, the pediatric lab will include tools and equipment to aid in pediatric rehabilitation - from suspended body weight support equipment to sensory walls, and swings to help children develop essential motor skills and self-confidence. The lab will also serve as a design hub for students to create innovative adaptive devices and foster collaboration between students in the occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology graduate program, facilitating future teamwork and coordinated patient care. The outdoor lab will include an adaptive climbing wall, playground set, and gardening areas, along with a meditative space and accessible paths and seating, providing a unique space for students to interact with both pediatric and adult clients. The "smart apartment" will offer opportunities to use accessible technologies and home modifications in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living spaces to enhance independent living, with outdoor features to facilitate learning how to engage in desired activities outside of the home.
The new occupational therapy program will train future therapists to provide vital services for all ages, from pediatric to elderly populations, and aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities for health equity and rural accessibility in Vermont.
