Towson University celebrates 50 years of occupational therapy education

In fall 1974, TU offered its first Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy (OT) and the first of its kind in Maryland. Occupational therapy at TU found its footing through hard-fought advocacy and passionate teaching, setting up graduates for success in occupational therapy careers upon graduation.

“The OT program at TU was founded to meet the workforce needs in Maryland, and that is a role we continue to fill,” says Kendra Heatwole Shank, Ph.D., chair of the occupational therapy department in the College of Health Professions. "After decades as a nationally ranked program, we’ve demonstrated our ability to meet the need in Maryland as well as to lead nationally.”

Over the years, the department has evolved to include multiple graduate degree opportunities, including the master’s in occupational therapy, the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) and the doctorate in occupational science.  After being housed in multiple locations across campus through the years, TU’s OT programs are now among other health professions programs in the new, state-of-the-art Health Professions Building.

“Built on interprofessional collaboration and hands-on learning, our graduates are prepared to make a profound impact on their communities' health and well-being,” says Dean Lisa Ann Plowfield.

Building the high-caliber OT programs of today required a robust curriculum, expert faculty, strong clinical partnerships and comprehensive student support. By integrating research and fostering community engagement, the programs are designed to produce well-prepared graduates ready to meet the demands of the field.

That core ethic of enabling participation for everyone, regardless of ability, was true on day one and continues to be at the heart of what we do today, 50 years later.

Kendra Heatwole Shank

The early days of OT at TU

The OT program’s inception stemmed from the vision of members of the  Maryland OT community because there was not yet a school to grow the profession.

Diane Gibson, the first program director and first woman to lead the university's occupational program, recalls the challenges they faced demonstrating the value of occupational therapy and finding qualified staff to teach the first class of future occupational therapists.

Gibson began the program with only four faculty members, each leading a specific area of expertise: pediatrics, mental health, affiliation programs for student clinical experience and orthopedic therapy.

After only a year of building the program, it was greenlit and Gibson and her staff reviewed more than 300 applications to fill a total of 15 slots for their first class.

With a background as an OT at Sheppard Pratt Hospital, Gibson worked with her team to build the curriculum in a way that would look at patients holistically and reflect the core values of occupational therapy: work, self-care and leisure.

The emergence of women as leaders who could be in charge of a significant program like this one was rare back then. It took a lot of courage, determination and bravado. – You find those traits in OT’s in general. They are people who think outside of the box.

Diane Gibson

The future of OT at TU and beyond

Joe Amos ’23

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST FOR CADIA HEALTHCARE, FROM DELAWARE

“It was clear why TU had such a good reputation in the OT world; they graduate very competent therapists. After leaving TU’s OT program, I know I have a lifelong support network if I ever need professional or personal support from classmates, faculty or staff.”

As the health professions world evolves to meet the new challenges and needs of patients, so does TU’s OT department.

“The department has been an innovative leader over the years, introducing some of the earliest online programs at Towson, adopting new technologies in the classroom and crafting curricula in accredited programs that have consistently had outstanding student outcomes," says Heatwole Shank.

With clinical experience being critical to OT students’ long-term success in their field, alumni like Amos found significant value in the dedication professors have for supporting students' clinical placement goals.

“The professors all truly love their jobs and they’re passionate about teaching from their experiences and teaching you how to become the best therapist you can be,” says Amos.

Left: 1974 clipping from the Towerlight announcing the first occupational therapy program at Towson University and Diane Gibson as its director. Right: Recent Occupational Therapy (M.S.) students at a campus event. Images courtesy of Towson University Archives and Joe Amos ’23.