Drake University Occupational Therapy Department

10/05/2026

You are invited to participate in a research study if you are an occupational therapy practitioner in the United States who carries a clinical caseload and communicates with other occupational therapy practitioners when a patient or client transitions to occupational therapy services or another healthcare setting.

If this describes you, please consider participating in an anonymous survey about communication during transitions of care. The survey will take approximately 8–12 minutes to complete, and your participation may help improve communication during transitions of care for future occupational therapy practitioners and the patients and clients they serve.

Survey link:

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

09/18/2026

At last week’s OTD Interview Day, we were excited to watch our Drake Pre-OT students take the next step toward their professional education, and even more excited to welcome some new faces to campus!

Students mingled with their future professors and peers, got fitted for their blue coats, and grabbed a snack from Dean Maki to fuel up before heading over to the OT Building to ace their interviews. We can’t wait to see them put on these coats again at next year’s coating ceremony!

09/10/2026

SENSORY FRIENDLY MORNING 2026💙🎧🎡

We had such an awesome time continuing our tradition of partnering with ChildServe to welcome families and children with different sensory needs to the fair in an inclusive and accessible way. OT students, faculty, and our The Harkin Institute friends gave out welcome bags and tattoos at the welcome tent and got crafty in the kids area!

This year, we were thrilled to have our newest O1 class joining in this experience during their orientation. It was a fun way to kick off all of the community engagement they’ll take on in the next 3 years!

09/04/2026

Drake University Occupational Therapy is excited to host the next series of Memory Cafés this fall—a welcoming, supportive space for individuals with mild to moderate cognitive changes and their care partners to connect, engage, and thrive.

This FREE community program offers meaningful activities, social connection, and opportunities to support cognitive health in a relaxed, stigma-free environment. Led by Drake OTD students and faculty, the Memory Café is designed to foster joy, purpose, and belonging for both members of the caregiving dyad.

💙 We need your help!
We’re currently seeking participants to join this special initiative. If you know someone living with memory changes (e.g., early dementia, mild cognitive impairment) and their caregiver, please help us spread the word!

👥 Who should attend?
Individuals with mild–moderate cognitive impairment
A family member, friend, or caregiver

Your connections matter. Share this opportunity with your networks to help us build a supportive and engaging community from the very beginning.

Together, we can create a space where connection replaces isolation and meaningful moments matter

09/02/2026

Give a warm welcome to our Occupational Therapy Doctorate Class of 2029, who received their blue coats signifying their entry into the professional Occupational Therapy program. In three years, these students will be prepared to provide care that makes a lifelong impact. 💙🥼

Thank you to our speakers Ally Anderson, OTD Candidate 2028, and Dr. Mara Jauron, Drake OTD alums, for giving their words of wisdom to the students. Another thank you to our faculty mentors who coated their mentees and helped them make this milestone in their education even more memorable.

Why blue? The blue coat honors the beginning of the OT profession. During World War I, a group of civilian women known as “reconstruction aides” provided occupational therapy to soldiers. Their slate blue uniforms led the army to refer to them as the “bluebirds.”

08/03/2026

🎓 This summer, O3 Trinity Bunkusol has been spending her last semester of OT school completing her capstone remotely with TravelingWiki, an organization dedicated to travel accessibility!

✈️ Trinity has been focused on developing sensory-friendly travel and sport venue resources, highlighting accessible destinations and accommodations for individuals and families to feel more confident in exploring new places. She’s also connnected with museums, community organizations and event coordinators to learn about the planning and implementation of sensory-friendly programming and best practices for creating inclusive spaces.

💬 Trinity said “My capstone has provided me with valuable opportunities to apply occupational therapy principles beyond the traditional clinical setting while advocating for greater community participation and occupational justice.”

07/16/2026

🔒Lock in now and your life could look like this next year in OT school at Drake!

OTCAS, the central application for all Occupational Therapy programs, just opened today! Get started on your application now, or remind a future OT in your life to get started. We can’t wait to see the Class of 2027 in their blue coats.

https://otcas.cas.myliaison.com/applicant/login

07/08/2026

Today we’d like to brag about our newest class of OTDs! 🤗

Again, this data was compiled prior to graduation. Graduates are scoring jobs and opportunities as we speak❕

06/16/2026

OTD classes are still in full swing, and recently our students got to welcome some teeny tiny clients to the building. Students had conversations with parents evaluating their child’s daily routines and other occupational habits while breaking out the toys and having fun with the kids! 🧸👶🍼

Thank you to the Drake alumni and faculty who made this day possible. All parents verbally consented to their children being in photos and videos.

06/11/2026

Does this video make you feel overstimulated? It’s supposed to. In this simulation activity, OT and Nursing students experienced a very mild instance of what it can look like to work with clients living in hoarding situations. The goal is to create spaces that are safe and healthy, yet still their own. 🏠🛏️🛋️