For most of us, eating out with friends or playing games on our tablets are everyday activities we take for granted. Occupational therapists, on the other hand, know how meaningful it is for people of all abilities to participate in these tasks independently and confidently. Each year, Drake University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students design products to help real clients do just that. In their Universal Design and...
The Drake University Occupational Therapy Department had a substantial presence at this year’s Iowa Occupational Therapy Association (IOTA) Conference, which took place on November 1, 2025, in Des Moines. Current Drake Pre-Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) students, as well as faculty and alumni, gathered at this event, which brought together OT professionals from...
July 1, 2025 marked the official beginning of service to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) for Drake University Occupational Therapy Doctorate student Cole Brockman and Department Chair and Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Leslie Jackson. Brockman was elected as Assembly of Student Delegates Student Representative to the Commission on Practice, and Jackson was sworn...
Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) has welcomed a cohort of more than 100 new professional students into its pharmacy, nursing and occupational therapy programs. The College held its annual Coating Ceremonies on August 22, 2025 in Sheslow Auditorium. Incoming graduate students received a white or blue coat, representing their entry into the...
Dr. Yolanda Griffiths, professor of occupational therapy and former program director, will conclude her eight years of service for the Occupational Therapy Department within Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) on May 30, 2025. Dr. Griffiths arrived at Drake University in June of 2017, when the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program was...
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) held its annual Professional Hooding and Commencement Ceremony for professional program students on Friday, May 16, 2025. The CPHS Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences undergraduate students participated in the University Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony held on Saturday, May 17th. Receiving their degrees and doctoral hoods during the...
Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) held a pinning ceremony on May 8, 2025 to celebrate students entering internships, fieldwork and rotation experiences in the final year of their programs. CPHS faculty presented Drake University pins and name badges to third-year undergraduate health sciences students, first-year Master of Athletic Training students, second-year...
Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) held its annual Health Professions Day on February 20, 2025. The event is organized by a student-led committee and engages members of the College in a series of activities that foster professional development. In addition, several awards were presented to students, faculty, staff, and experiential educators....
Three faculty members of Drake University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program hold the Roster of Fellows status in the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Established in 1973, the Roster of Fellows Award (FAOTA) recognizes occupational therapists who – through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and/or guidance – have made significant contributions over time to the...
Second-year occupational therapy student Briana Brewster accepted a year-long student internship with the Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), beginning July 1st, 2022. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Brewster plans to work in a mental health setting after completing the Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program in Drake University’s...