April is National Occupational Therapy Month, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding clinical care, education, and research advanced by our occupational therapy faculty, learners, and providers across Duke. This year’s American Occupational Therapy Association theme—Enriching Lives Through Meaningful Engagement—reflects the profession’s enduring mission and its essential role in advancing health, function, and quality of life.
Occupational therapy is grounded in enabling individuals to participate fully in the activities that give daily life meaning. The centrality of occupation to health is deeply rooted in history; as early as 100 BC, Greek physician Asclepiades incorporated principles now foundational to occupational therapy, underscoring the long-recognized connection between meaningful engagement and healing.
At Duke, this tradition is advanced through the Duke University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, which exemplifies excellence through innovative education, impactful scholarship, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. Together with our clinical partners, the program prepares future occupational therapists to lead, innovate, and improve care across diverse practice settings.
I am grateful for the dedication, expertise, and professionalism of our occupational therapy faculty, students, and practicing occupational therapists at Duke, whose work enriches lives every day and strengthens our mission of excellence in patient care, education, and research. Please join me in recognizing National Occupational Therapy Month and in thanking our Occupational Therapy Division for its meaningful contributions and continued leadership.
All the best,
Ben