UIC Department of Occupational Therapy

21/07/2025

One of our newest alumni of from the Class of 2025 is off to Northwestern in August to begin her Acute and Critical Care Occupational Therapy Fellowship!

"These experiences affirmed my passion for working in fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment where I can help patients navigate challenging stages of recovery. While I’ve gained a solid base, I know there is still so much to learn and I’m eager to take on the challenges of this fellowship as I grow into the clinician and leader I aspire to be."

We are so proud of you, Leah!!!!

15/07/2025

This special issue on "Advancing Immigrant and Refugee Rights: Promoting Empowerment, Justice, Equity, and Liberation" situates contemporary migration within a context of escalating global displacement, structural violence, and political backlash. It highlights the urgent need for researchers and practitioners to respond to these conditions through praxis that centers migrant voices and challenges exclusionary systems.

The special issue explores how culturally grounded, participatory, and community-based approaches can foster empowerment, promote equity, and advance liberatory outcomes for immigrant and refugee populations. The articles collectively address the psychosocial impacts of hostile immigration policies, the significance of culturally responsive interventions, and the transformative potential of migrant-led advocacy. Through empowerment, social justice, and liberation themes, this issue offers a roadmap for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers committed to co-creating systems rooted in dignity, inclusion, and collective thriving.

10/06/2025

Dr. Sabrin Rizk and second-year E-OTD student Asianna Griffin were guests on a recent INside the OUTcomes: A Rehabilitation Research Podcast episode by the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

The podcast discusses student contributions to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Rehabilitation Measures Database. The database is the go-to resource of more than 580 rehabilitation measures, reviewed and summarized by educators and allied health students.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WERbPJH4bWfLuMviyV1DB

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/student-contributions-to-the-rehabilitation-measures/id1687051191?i=1000712158439

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyAplN2bTqo&list=PLei5UBhArVOhkEu43wVOn7ntJaUmLiT6H

16/05/2025

The 1st ANNUAL Creating Tomorrow’s Practice Poster Symposium, highlighting the UIC OT Class of 2025 Capstone Projects was a success! 🥳😄

Thank you to the graduating class, Capstone Coordinator Jen Summers, their faculty mentors, and site supervisors who made their projects possible. We are SO pleased to see the skills you have obtained as a result of completing a doctoral capstone. What a wonderful day for these graduates, seeing all of their hard work pay off!

14/05/2025

is thrilled to congratulate Jenica Lee on receiving the 2025 Washington University in St. Louis Outstanding Alumni Award! 🥹❤️

Since her graduation from their OT program in 2004, she has exemplified what it means to be a leader in the field.

"Lee’s research and scholarship focus on promoting health and wellness and participation in everyday life activities for older adults with or without disabilities. One standout example is a pilot project that examined the use of everyday technology and e-health services among older people with and without functional limitations. Her work advanced the Model of Human Occupation theory and assessment development, leveraging her expertise in translation and validation of occupational therapy (OT) tools. She played a key role in recruitment, data collection, and supervision for the project, leading to multiple peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations".

WashU also recognized Jenica as a leader and influencer in her various positions at UIC, and we are simply so thankful to have her as apart of our team.

To see more info as to why Jenica was recognized for her achievements:
https://www.ot.wustl.edu/news/2025-outstanding-alumni-and-lifetime-achievement-awardees-1556

13/05/2025

🎓✨ A Historic Moment for ! ✨🎓

We are to celebrate the remarkable journey of our very first cohort of entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) graduates at our Pinning Ceremony on Friday, May 9th!

A special shoutout to our outstanding awardees — your achievements are inspiring and well-deserved.

Beatrice D. Wade Fieldwork Excellence Awards – Allison Antman, Alexis Klima, Samantha Libman, and Tenzin Pema

Beatrice D. Wade Fieldwork Educator Awards - Kevin Durney (Lurie Children’s Hospital), Maribeth Jankowski (Lurie Children’s Hospital), and Elizabeth Foss (Marianjoy)

Capstone Excellence Award – Galila Dandridge

E-OTD Achievement Award – Katelin Rogacki

E-OTD Emerging Leader Award – Deeva Evangelista

Scholarship of Practice (SOP) Community Collaborative Partnership Award – El Valor

5 Year Adjunct Faculty Service Awards – Andrea LeFlore, Amy McArthur, and Audrey Phillips

10 Year Adjunct Faculty Service Awards - Rachel Francis, Jim Hill , Joseph Mendoza, Laura Mraz, Elliot Roth, Nicole Suss, and Kelsey Watters

Excalibur Award for Teaching Excellence – Toni Van Denend

We were also honored to welcome Megan McCray as our keynote speaker—thank you for sharing your wisdom. Your words were empowering and left a lasting impact on us all.

Congratulations Class of 2025! You embody the future of occupational therapy and we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make in the world. ❤️💙

Here’s to this incredible milestone and all the success to come!

09/05/2025

🎥✨ Pinning Ceremony Happening TODAY – Join Us LIVE! ✨🎥

We’re excited to invite you to the livestream of our OT Pinning Ceremony!

📅 Date: TODAY!
🕒 Time: 1:00-3:00 PM CST
📍 Watch live here: https://go.uic.edu/OT2025

Celebrate this special milestone with us as we honor the dedication, hard work, and future impact of our very first entry-level OTD cohort. Tune in for an inspiring program filled with proud moments, heartfelt recognition, and the ceremonial pinning of our OT graduates. ❤️

Help us cheer on the Class of 2025 from wherever you are!

08/05/2025

is SO PROUD of the Class of 2025, just ONE day away from being Doctors of Occupational Therapy! All of their hard work has paid off, and everything good coming their way is well deserved. 🎓❤️

05/05/2025

Throwback to a fantastic day! We are so lucky to be apart of the first annual Fall Prevention Fair at Project H.O.O.D! Click the video for a closer look at the event 🙂😄

Our Fall Prevention Awareness event brought together health professionals, seniors, caregivers, and community leaders for a day focused on safety, education,...

23/04/2025

When our program began in 1943, tuition was $70 per quarter—and by February 1946, the first graduating class of the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy included only 7 students.

What started small has grown into a nationally recognized program, shaping generations of occupational therapy practitioners and leaders.

22/04/2025

faculty member Dr. Jen Summers, OTD, OT/L, has been inducted as a 2025 Distinguished Fellow to the Occupational Therapy Academy of the National Academies of Practice (NAP)!

Jen has been recognized as a individual who has spent a significant portion (10 years or more) of their professional career in the practice and direct delivery of health care services. She was judged by distinguished peers to have made enduring contributions in our profession.

Jen co-created an advocacy workshop training along with a community organizer and disability right activist. These workshops were semester long projects that partnered occupational therapy students as supports for people with disabilities to create a targeted community action. She also created interdisciplinary faculty development trainings, workshops, and book clubs that promoted best teaching practices and support for educators teaching a variety of health science disciplines. These resulted in novel interprofessional partnerships across our university.

We are extremely proud of you, Jen!

16/04/2025

First-year students came with great energy and engagement at Illi-SOTA's April GBM after class this week!

OT Olympics, led by the executive board, were a hit—friendly competition, OT pride, and lots of laughs! The students are excited for the upcoming events shared by Illi-SOTA, COTAD, and the College of Applied Health Sciences!