Duke OTD proudly celebrates the contributions of Yeu‑Li Yeung, MS, OT/L, CPE, CSPHP, whose advocacy and student-centered teaching are shaping the future practice of Duke OTD students. Recently recognized across the Duke University Health System (DUHS) for her leadership in Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM)—and featured in Duke Today—Yeu‑Li brings this same expertise directly into students’ learning experiences.
Translating SPHM Expertise Into Clinically Relevant Student Learning
Each year, Yeu‑Li partners with Duke OTD faculty to design immersive SPHM sessions that blend demonstration, guided practice, and reflective problem‑solving. Students explore how safe mobility practices connect to their broader work as occupational therapists—supporting participation, reducing injury risk, and promoting equitable care.
Through hands‑on training with ceiling lifts, floor lifts, friction‑reducing devices, and other Duke Moves resources, Yeu‑Li helps students understand:
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How to safely and confidently use SPHM equipment in real clinical scenarios
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How SPHM tools support sustainable, occupation‑centered practice for both clients and practitioners
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How environmental, social, and institutional factors shape clients’ access to safe mobility
By keeping the focus on clinical reasoning—not just technique—Yeu‑Li shows students how SPHM supports their core work of enabling participation, preserving dignity, and reducing barriers to engagement in everyday occupations.
Expanding Access and Inclusion in SPHM Education
A hallmark of Yeu‑Li’s partnership is her commitment to equitable learning opportunities. This year, she secured trial walking slings from an industry partner so that students of all sizes could safely practice with well‑fitted equipment. These experiences help students recognize the importance of advocating for mobility supports that enhance comfort, safety, and participation for all clients.
Her leadership helps students examine how equipment design, availability, and institutional policies shape who has access to safe mobility—and what occupational therapists can do to advocate for better solutions. This perspective aligns closely with Duke OTD’s mission to prepare practitioners who can identify systemic barriers and support safe participation for all clients.
A Teacher Who Brings Heart, Clarity, and Purpose
While Yeu‑Li is widely respected for her technical expertise, students and faculty consistently highlight her warmth, clarity, and authentic investment in learning. Her teaching reflects Duke OTD’s values and helps students connect foundational concepts from their early coursework to the realities of practice.
“What I appreciate most is how thoughtfully Yeu‑Li aligns her teaching with our program’s occupational vision and mission. She helps students see that SPHM is not only about body mechanics or equipment—it’s about sustaining clients’ health, well‑being, and long‑term engagement in their roles.”
—MaryBeth Gallagher, PhD, OTR/L, BCMH, Assistant Professor
“Yeu‑Li brings a level of expertise, advocacy, and compassion that helps our learners understand not just how to use SPHM tools, but how occupational therapists can act as change agents within systems, optimizing participation for practitioners and clients alike.”
—Abigail Carroll, PhD, MS, OTR/L, Instructor
A Partnership That Shapes Safer Futures
Yeu‑Li’s ongoing collaboration with Duke OTD ensures that graduates enter the field ready to protect themselves and their clients, lead change within complex systems, and advance safer, evidence‑based care. Her impact extends far beyond the classroom—fostering the habits, insights, and values that support meaningful, sustainable careers in occupational therapy.