IU Department of Occupational Therapy

Home
United States
Indianapolis, IN
IU Department of Occupational Therapy

Indiana University's Occupational Therapy Program offers the best of new and old. In fact, in the 2018 U.S. This is the highest ranked OT program in Indiana.

Established in 1958, the IU program is the longest continually accredited Occupational Therapy program in Indiana. Our history of graduating talented practitioners makes us well known in the Occupational Therapy community locally, regionally, and nationally. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools Ranking of OT programs in the country, the IU School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Occupational Therapy program was ranked 25th.

10/28/2025

October 27th was World OT Day! Our students put together a video of some of their experiences while here in the program! To the new, almost, veteran, hopeful, empowered, resilient, and motivated Occupational Therapy Practicioners

10/21/2025

First year students got some practice taking vitals such as blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels and respiratory rate. They also practiced proper PPE procedures during their fundamentals lab. This is great practice for future clinicals!

10/20/2025

An unforgettable Game Day moment 🏈 💙

Morgan, a Colts cheerleader and IU OTD student who knows ASL, met 8-year-old Mark on the sidelines. At his first NFL game, Mark couldn’t hear the roar of the crowd — but he felt the energy when Colts cheerleader Morgan came over and signed to him. 💙 Their Game Day connection through sign language became a moment the internet can’t stop smiling about!

We’re so proud to spotlight Morgan and celebrate the way she’s already making an impact — one that will continue to grow throughout her OT journey!

10/16/2025

Second Year OTD Students had an immersive day learning all about the process and many components involved in selecting a wheelchair best fit for a client. Thank you to JB Radabaugh for coming in to teach as a guest lecturer as well as create fun educational stations for students to learn about power and manual wheelchairs and the proper ergonomics we have to account for!

10/14/2025

⭐ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ⭐
Wishing Jourdan Weinzapfel - Class of 2028 - A Very Happy 23rd Birthday Today!
Getting to know Jourdan Weinzapfel:
📍 From Evansville, IN
📖 Studied Psychology at IU Bloomington
👩‍⚕️ When asking Jourdan why she chose OT she said… “I love the perspective it offers toward my daily living and that it treats holistically with an emphasis on the individual’s meaningful occupation of their time!”
💗 She also described her favorite aspect of being in the program: “I really appreciate the cohort aspect of IU’s OT program, which has allowed for so much friendship-building and bonding!”
✨ Jourdan is interested in the OT Specialties: Mental health or Pediatrics
🎙 Favorite Occupation: Anything with music (listening, singing, dancing)
💛 Fun fact about Jourdan is that she is the youngest of 7!

10/08/2025

Our second-year students took a field trip to Easterseals, where they explored the many ways individuals can access support, resources, and services that promote growth toward independent living! Their visit included learning about Easterseals’ collaboration and outreach efforts, seeing examples of home modifications offered through their services, and discovering a wide range of assistive technology equipment.

They also gained hands-on experience with a variety of devices rented from Easterseals, which they will continue to explore further and present to their peers in their Tech in OT class!

Pictured: Colorino (is able to scan and identify colors) & Interactive Companion Pet (Realistic and lifelike cat companion)

10/03/2025

⭐ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ⭐
Wishing Adriana Martinez - Class of 2026 - A Very Happy 25th Birthday Today!
Getting to know Adriana Martinez:
📍 From Elkhart Indiana
📖 Attended IU Indianapolis
💗 She also described a special moment in the program has been: “I truly enjoyed my Level IIA fieldwork at an outpatient hand orthopedic clinic. I was fortunate to have a wonderful fieldwork educator who supported my growth and helped me develop valuable skills I will carry throughout my OT journey. The patients were kind and engaging, and I loved creating a positive, creative, and fun environment for them to enjoy therapy”.
👩‍⚕️ When asking Adriana why she chose OT she said… “I chose OT because I’ve observed many people struggle after injuries, and it’s so meaningful to help them regain their independence and get back to the everyday things we often take for granted.”
✨ Adriana is interested in the OT Specialties: Outpatient Hands or inpatient rehab
🛩 Favorite Occupation: traveling, trying local coffee shops, longboarding and photography!
🐾 Fun fact about Adriana is that she has a 2 year old cat named Luna! Luna also does tricks, such as sit, paw, spin, high five, and up.

09/29/2025

The third years had their last day in the Advanced Pediatrics elective filled with fun lab activities and stations! The class included infant massage (teething/oral motor massage), pediatric kinesiotaping, and student-led intervention stations which featured an animal-assisted therapy station with Henry the golden retriever!

09/26/2025

Big congratulations to our first year students, Class of 2028, as they were officially welcomed into the IU OT family with a Welcome Rose Ceremony this week! Each student brings a unique perspective to the program, and we cannot wait to see all the things you accomplish within the next three years, individually and as a cohort! Congratulations! 🌹🎉

09/25/2025

This past weekend the Post-Professional held their inaugural research retreat!

Students from across four different states convened on campus for an intensive two day experience that helped launch the official start of their juried doctoral capstone.

We wish them well this year and cannot wait to see their research make an impact on our profession. Good luck!

09/23/2025

⭐ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ⭐
Introducing Amelia Wiser- Class of 2027!
📍 From Bloomington, IN
📖 Studied Exercise Science at IU Bloomington
✈ Favorite Occupation: Traveling & Reading
✨ Amelia is interested in OT specialties: Mental health or hands!
👩‍⚕️When interviewing with Amelia she stated that she has felt personally drawn to OT through her own experiences with mental health:
“I personally have experienced mental health struggles, and it really hit me during Sophomore year of undergrad. I struggled to do my ADLs, participate in health management, and enjoy my life overall. I felt so disconnected from my community. This is the time where I learned about OT, and I felt like I truly understood its value. My lack of participation in my occupations really affected my self-identity and confidence. As I worked on my mental health, I was able to participate in things again and feel connected to my community. That experience was life-changing and fully produced my passion for OT and mental health advocacy.”
💖 She also described a special moment in the program has been...
“For me, I would say I have especially loved my cohort. The other second-years have truly elevated my experience. We are a strong community, and we do well at building each other up. We also will absolutely show up for a potluck, every time. Friendsgiving 2024 was a blast, and everyone brought their A-game with the food. Shoutout to Josie's corn pudding.”
🎹 Fun fact about Amelia is that she plays two instruments! Viola and piano!

09/16/2025

Last week, Associate Professor Dr. Wilburn debuted ‘Perspectives’ to the Bloomington campus community. The film is community partner Overdose Lifeline’s newest drug prevention program for high schoolers building off their critically acclaimed national program “This is Not About Drugs.” Dr. Wilburn’s expertise is featured alongside other researchers and experts in the field. Also, this Recovery Month Dr. Wilburn was presented with the Changemaker Award for helping to combat the opioid crisis.

Address

1050 Wishard Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN
46202

Telephone

+13172740149

Website

https://linktr.ee/iuoccupationaltherapy, https://iuotapril2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when IU Department of Occupational Therapy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Featured

Picking Up Loose Ends LLC
46229

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Indianapolis?