OTD News Volume VII, Issue 3

Page 2 OTD NEWS, Volume VII, Issue 3 By: Ricardo C. Carrasco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA The OTD Program: from Inception to Maturity The impetus for an occupational therapy educational program in Tampa came from Dr. Richard Davis, former Dean of the College of Allied Health & Nursing, now the College of Health Care Sciences. The Asso- ciate Dean for Academic Affairs then was Dr. Stanley Wilson, currently CHCS Dean. Dr. Davis charged Dr. Sandra Dunbar, then Chair of the programs at the Fort Lauderdale campus, and Dr. Judy Parker to start plans for a Tampa program, including the collection of information from a focus group. The initial Tampa faculty members took roles relat- ed to their content expertise, experience and willingness to serve. The founding faculty comprised of: Dr. Ricardo C. Carrasco who had over- sight of all departmental activities including fiscal, physical plant and ad- ministrative operations; Dr. Rick D. Davenport directed all activities re- lated to research and technology; Professor Sheila M. Longpré handled administration of community and clinic related matters; Dr. David J. Pal- lister oversaw all aspects of student and marketing affairs; and Dr. Mirtha M. Whaley directed curriculum related matters. Below is a chro- nology of events to this day: October, 2010: As program consultant, Dr. Carrasco started conducting needs assessment and market analysis. He investigated local interest for an educational program in Tampa and the model of program delivery through focus groups and informal surveys to potential students. He collaborated with Tampa site administration, other Tampa programs, builders and construction resources, including engineers for pediatric and adult laboratories, other OT and OTA programs, local and regional fieldwork facilities. Based on results, he designed the proposed and cur- rent entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) curriculum. January, 2011: NSU letter of intent sent to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). February, 2011: Maria Elena Velasco started the program support struc- ture. March, 2011: Dr. Carrasco presented the proposal for the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program delivered using a blended delivery model by telephone conference to Fort Lauderdale fac- ulty and administration.  History of OTD Tampa 2-5  OTD Class of 2016 Commencement 6  2016 Alpha Eta Society 7  Faculty Accomplish- ments 8-12  AOTA & FOTA Conferences 13  SOTA 14  Pi Theta Epsilon Beta Delta—Tampa 15  Student Accomplish- ments 16-17 Inside this issue: History of OTD Tampa