Therapist showing patient how to hold a water bottle

Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)

What we are

Occupational Therapy doctoral program is a 105 credit, capstone-based, cohort-designed professional doctoral degree program culminating in student eligibility to sit for the national certification examination to obtain state licensure.

We provide an active learning, professional curriculum with blended didactic, clinical education (fieldwork), service-learning and capstone components designed to meet the accreditation standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

Our goal

Our goal is to meet the needs of diverse individuals, communities, and populations and lead teams in health management, maintenance, and promotion and illness, injury and disability prevention.

Note that a felony conviction and professional license revocation may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Accreditation statement

The entry-level Occupational Therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
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The Occupational Therapy doctoral program is designed to graduate diverse, intellectually inquisitive, and innovative occupational therapy practice leaders, advocates, and scholars, who, through their understanding of the relationship of occupation, health, and well being gained through rigorous didactic and clinical academic pursuit, find scientifically grounded practical solutions to the everyday occupational needs of society.

This rigorous academic program teaches effective clinical decision-making skills to prepare healthcare providers capable of treating diverse clients across the lifespan. Through its collaborative network of strategic partnerships involving regional healthcare, educational, and community-based infrastructure, the program leverages in-class didactic learning with service learning (civic engagement) and practicum experience to improve the health and well being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world.

Our vision is to be recognized as an inclusive program that cultivates diverse leaders, advocates and scholars in healthcare, education and research that serve the right and need of society to participate in occupations that give life meaning and improve health and well being of individuals, communities, and populations in the metropolitan Hampton Roads region of Virginia, our nation and the world through inquiry, collaboration, and innovation.

The Occupational Therapy doctoral program embraces an interprofessional and collaborative education approach involving all healthcare and rehabilitation professionals who use scientific principles and evidence-based practice for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of acute and chronic diseases, the prevention of injury and disease prevention for individuals and communities, and the promotion of optimum health, wellness, and quality of life for populations. As a Minority Serving Institution, the program provides students from diverse backgrounds expanded opportunities to become healthcare professionals and builds a more diverse healthcare workforce in the region.

Program Highlights

Occupation-centered curriculum focused on building practice scholars and leaders.
Emphasis on active and engaged learning within the Hampton Roads community.
State-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities designed for collaborative learning, simulation, and practice.
Interdisciplinary rehabilitation clinic dedicated to advanced patient care and student learning.
Holistic admissions process focused on diversity and inclusive opportunity.
Faculty and community partners dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Opportunities for interprofessional learning and service as well as pathways to leadership and research.

Student Learning Outcomes

Promote health and wellness

Promote the health and wellness of individuals, groups, and populations through occupational engagement with holistic, patient-centered, occupation-based and evidence informed practice.

Advance the practice of occupational therapy

Advance the practice of occupational therapy through comprehensive knowledge of the profession’s theoretical and evidentiary base.

Influence traditional and emerging practice markets

Influence traditional and emerging practice markets through leadership and advocacy opportunities and creative, collaborative and innovative problem solving.

Please note: Because our Occupational Program is less than three years old, we will report the graduation and pass rates of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy over the course of a three-year period as soon as they are available.

Find information on the NBCO.

Information Sessions

These sessions are designed to answer your questions and introduce you to some of our faculty.

Tuesday 1/28/25 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday 2/11/25 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Monday 2/24/25 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Thursday 3/20/25 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday 4/16/25 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday 4/30/25 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

For all virtual sessions, please pre-register using this link.

Wednesday 2/19/25 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Monday, 3/25/25 Noon - 1:00 p.m.

For all Open House sessions, please pre-register using this link.

Meet Our Faculty

Patricia Laverdure, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, Program Director

Dr. Patricia Laverdure is an Assistant Professor within the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at Old Dominion University, a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association and board-certified in pediatrics. She also holds certification from the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Academic Leadership Institute and serves as a trainer in the Fieldwork Educators Certificate Program.

Nancy Krolikowski, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Dr. Nancy Krolikowski has extensive experience in hand therapy and founded two private practices for upper extremity management. Dr. Krolikowski continues to practice occupational therapy as a Clinical Rehabilitation Specialist, focusing on the practice of hand therapy Her research interests include occupation-based therapy in outpatient and community settings.

Peggy Galdini, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, Capstone Coordinator

Dr. Peggy L. Galdini has worked as an occupational therapy practitioner for 15 years, working in outpatient hand therapy and leadership for a large healthcare organization where she continues to do consulting work. She serves on the Leadership Board of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Education Council and serves as an Adjunct Professor and Capstone Mentor with the University of St. Augustine.

Michelle Thompson, PhD, OTR, Assistant Professor in Research

An an occupational therapy practitioner for 34 years, Dr. Michelle Boulanger Thompson is an Assistant Professor in research and teaching in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at Old Dominion University. She works with individuals with disabilities and their families across the lifespan in early intervention (birth to age 3), public schools (ages 2-22), and adult home health. She serves on the Board of Directors for Mosaic, has a leadership and research role for the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ (AAIDD) and Creative Arts special interest network, and serves on the Virginia Division on Early Childhood’s (VA-DEC) leadership board.

Abigail Lemmon, OTD, OTR/L

Abigail Lemmon is an occupational therapy practitioner with experience in pediatric and adult outpatient rehabilitation. Dr. Lemmon bring expertise in neuroscience and neuro-occupation to her clinical practice and the curriculum. Dr. Lemmon earned her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Princeton University and has been passionate about the nervous system ever since. She received her doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University and brings her love of the brain and occupational participation into the classroom as an educator and into her occupational therapy practice.

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Contact Us

Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Occupational Therapy at Old Dominion University
P.O. Box 1980
Norfolk, VA 23501-1980
hpadmissions@evms.edu
757.446.7437

This website reflects current program information, including admission criteria and curricula. Information is subject to change.

Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)