Drake University Occupational Therapy Department

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Drake University Occupational Therapy Department

Drake University has a new occupational therapy doctorate program in Des Moines, Iowa.

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. 🏠🛏️🛋️

05/29/2026

Drake University Occupational Therapy is excited to host the next Memory Café-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.

05/20/2026

O2 Research Symposium🎤📊

As part of the OT Doctorate program, students conduct and present their own research projects before heading off to their final year of fieldwork. Recently, they presented their hard work to other OT students and faculty as well as their family and friends via oral and poster presentations.

Some of the topics discussed include the use of AI as a study tool, fieldwork perspectives, brain injury interventions, international pen pals, quality of life among OT practitioners, prosthetic fitting for upper extremity amputees, and fall risk in older adults.

05/14/2026

Our O3s become doctors this weekend! Soon-to-be Dr. Cole Brockman has spent this last semester of his education at Doctors of Physical Therapy, where he gained an understanding of the role that OTs play within an onsite industrial rehabilitation setting. This experience was unique because of its focus on ergonomics, injury prevention, and on-site injury care.

As part of Cole’s capstone project, he wrote an article pending submission to the AOTA Student Pulse, made educational handouts and gave presentation to supervisors and new hires on injury prevention and ergonomic techniques.

One of the most valuable aspects of this experience for Cole was the guidance he received from his capstone mentor Josh Kimm (pictured here), who is a Drake OTD alum!

“This experience has meaningfully supported my career goals by allowing me to gain experience within an underrepresented and specialized area of practice,” Cole said. “I am especially interested in the occupation of injury prevention and workplace safety. Additionally, my interest in hand therapy has deepened as this has been relevant to my time here.”

05/06/2026

🎓 Jessie Woodyard has been completing her capstone experience at Aging Resources of Central Iowa in Des Moines this spring!

🫂Jessie created an adaptive equipment educational program that she has implemented in the community for older adults and their caregivers. She travels to give presentations and offer consultations on the use of this equipment, and she has also created a series of educational demonstration videos with Easter Seals that can be referenced by staff, caregivers and older adults on the Aging Resources website.

💬 Jessie said “I like being able to meet older adults where they’re at in the community and give them education on equipment they might not otherwise get, and hopefully reduce some of the stigma behind using it.”

04/14/2026

Creating safe spaces💙🧶

OT students partnered with Drake Access and Success to host a Paws and Reset day for students to take a brain break and access fun activities and mental health resources 🧠

Address

3003 Forest Street
Des Moines, IA
50311

Website

http://www.drake.edu/ot/

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