December marked several defining moments for Department of Occupational Therapy clinical doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) students, as a week of events celebrated key transitions: from classroom learning to full-time fieldwork, and from student to graduate.
Capstone Poster Symposium, Lighthouse Lecture, and White Coat Ceremony
On December 9, 32 students from this year’s entry-level OTD graduating class gathered at the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center to present posters that had received the highest scores in a blind review process. The posters detailed students’ capstone projects, which they spent their final semester completing, and the symposium provided a forum to disseminate their work to faculty, peers, and guests.
The Lighthouse Lecture and White Coat Ceremony followed. This year’s lecture was delivered by Dr. Penny Moyers Cleveland, a former UAB Department of Occupational Therapy chair and past president of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Her presentation, “Healing Is Occupational Therapy Practice: OT Is a Passion-Driven Pursuit of Empowering Lives,” centered healing and spirituality as the heart of occupational therapy.
OTD 4 students were presented with their white coats, symbolizing their transition from two years of coursework to full-time fieldwork. The ceremony also included induction of eligible students into Pi Theta Epsilon, the national occupational therapy honor society.
The Dean’s Leadership and Service Award was presented by Dr. Jewell Dickson-Clayton to Annabella Bradford. The student speaker, Liz Cowden, who was selected by her peers, shared vivid reflections on the relationships, challenges, and growth that shaped the cohort’s time in the program.
Graduation Day
On December 12, OTD graduates joined Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates to cross the stage at Bartow Arena during their commencement and hooding ceremony, the first UAB graduation dedicated exclusively for clinical doctorate students.
Dr. David Morris, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and interim dean of the School of Health Professions, and Dr. Gavin Jenkins, chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy, opened the ceremony. The arena was then filled with the incredible voice of Constance Blackney, a staff member in the Department of Physical Therapy, who sang the national anthem.
Dr. Andrew Butler, dean of the UAB School of Health Professions, delivered the commencement address. Academic hoods were presented by Dr. Dickson-Clayton, director of the Entry-Level OTD program; Dr. Sarah Tucker, director of the Post-Professional OTD program; Dr. Jennifer Christy, director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program; and the students’ advisors and mentors. Graduation closed with a burst of green and gold streamers, a sparkling culmination of years of work for the students and a proud moment shared with family, friends, and others who have shared the students’ journey.
Supporting both the December 9 and 12 events were UAB OT’s newest student ambassadors, all OTD 5 students. The department thanks Betsy Bennett, Makinley Baylor, Madison Brown, Ellis, Bailey Grooms, Keaton Honeycutt, Tess Lambert, Lanie Mayfield, Norah Pro, Caroline Redden, Caitlin Reynolds, Kayla Shirley, Tana Smith, Canon Tidwell, Avery Wiles, and Sydney Whittinham, who helped keep events running smoothly throughout the week.
