UF Occupational Therapy

05/27/2026

Some news is worth repeating: UF Occupational Therapy is proud to be part of a top-ranked Gator community, recognized nationally and ranked No. 1 in Florida.

It's great to be a top-ranked Gator. 🐊 💪
We're proud to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the No. 1 graduate institution in Florida for Health Care Management, UF Occupational Therapy and Biostatistics. Our programs (Health Care Management, Occupational Therapy, Biostatistics and UF Department of Physical Therapy) also reached the Top 20 in the country. Go PHHP Gators!

05/25/2026

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Jessica Kramer’s national recognition for advancing inclusive, impactful work with youth with IDD.

Jessica Kramer, associate professor of UF Occupational Therapy, has earned the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ Sesqui Award for her pioneering work with youth who have IDD. Working with a team that includes individuals with IDD, her lab creates proven rehab tools and community programs that change lives. https://phhp.ufl.edu/.../jessica-kramer-recognized-for.../

05/21/2026

A recent UF Occupational Therapy graduate shares how a multiple sclerosis diagnosis shaped her journey and strengthened her purpose as a future clinician.
Read her powerful story of resilience, insight, and advocacy:

I started the University of Florida occupational therapy program with the goal of helping others reclaim their lives.

05/21/2026

Learn from UF Occupational Therapy faculty member Dr. Pamela Hess as she challenges stigma and brings important conversations about women’s health into the classroom.

05/11/2026

Becky Piazza, O.T.D., OTR/L, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, and Saanvi Kodiganti, president of GRiP and a biomedical engineering student, brought UF Occupational Therapy and engineering students together to address real community needs. By working directly with local residents from the Putting Families First Program, the team designed and 3D‑printed simple assistive devices like jar openers, key grips, wheelchair bag stabilizers and leg wedges, all small innovations that reduce daily hassles and support independence.
challenge. https://phhp.ufl.edu/.../from-jar-openers-to-key.../

05/09/2026

We’re proud to see Gator OTs shaping the future of occupational therapy in Florida. The Florida Board of Occupational Therapy plays a vital role in protecting the public by overseeing licensure, setting continuing education standards, and upholding professional accountability across the state. Congratulations to Rebecca Piazza, clinical assistant professor in the Department of UF Occupational Therapy, and Lindsey Prato, an alumna from our college (B.H.S. '06), on their appointments to this influential board, an important step toward ensuring excellence in occupational therapy practice. https://phhp.ufl.edu/.../gator-ots-appointed-to-florida.../ 🐊

05/02/2026

The University of Florida was proud to be represented at the 2026 AOTA Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, by faculty, Drs. Linda Struckmeyer, Anna Galloway, Pam Hess, and Stefanie Bodison, and staff, Taylor Atkins. Faculty engaged with their occupational therapy colleagues in poster presentations, booth conversations, and faculty collaborations. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, exchanged ideas, and supported our students and faculty. Go Gators! 😎🐊

05/01/2026

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Seung Woo (Benedict) Hwangbo and Dr. Yuan Li on earning their PhDs in Rehabilitation Science. This achievement reflects years of commitment, resilience, and scholarly excellence.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to their mentors, Dr. Hongwu Wang and Dr. Sherrilene Classen, for their unwavering guidance and support throughout this journey.
We are excited to see the impact these graduates will make as they move forward in their careers. Congratulations! 🐊

04/27/2026

To wrap up our OT Month alumni spotlights, we are thrilled to highlight an alum whose work reflects the creativity, joy, and purpose at the heart of occupational therapy.

Brooke Abzug, OTD, OTR/L
Doctor of Occupational Therapy 2022
Current Employer and Clinical Practice Setting: 1) Memorial Healthcare System: Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; outpatient pediatric rehab 2) Nova Southeastern University; adjunct professor
Your favorite occupation: Cruising and going to concerts!

Why do you love OT? I love occupational therapy because it is a profession that helps children achieve their developmental milestones in fun and creative ways. Every day in pediatric outpatient rehab is inspiring and unique - a session might start with a puzzle while prone on a platform swing, transition to zip-lining into a crash pit while visually scanning for toy cupcakes, and finish with writing a story about dinosaurs. What looks like play is actually purposeful, skilled intervention designed to help children build the skills they need to thrive. 🐊

04/24/2026

OT Month continues as we recognize the impact of our alumni!
For our ninth OT Month alumni spotlight, we are honored to feature an alum making a difference in outpatient hand therapy.

Lindsy Mathew, OTD, OTR/L
Doctor of Occupational Therapy 2022
Current Employer and Clinical Practice Setting: PT Solutions; outpatient hand therapy
Your favorite occupation: Exploring new cities!

Why do you love OT? I love being an Occupational Therapist because I get to help people get back to the little things that mean the most to them. Hand therapy allows me turn everyday tasks into meaningful treatment, and it also gives me the opportunity to think creatively and come up with new and fun interventions for each patient. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch their progress week by week, and one of my favorite parts is getting to know them and celebrating their wins along the way. 🐊