View Larger Image Kandy Salter, OTD
Kandy Salter, OTD

Spotlight on the Department of Occupational Therapy

By News Staff

| The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program offered jointly by the University of Arkansas (U A) in Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) represents a collaborative, innovative approach to occupational therapy education. Now well-established as a three-year, entry-level professional doctorate, this program combines the strengths of a major land-grant research university with the clinical expertise of the state’s premier health sciences institution.

The fourth cohort of students recently participated in the University of Arkansas fall commencement and the Doctoral Capstone Symposium, showcasing a range of impactful capstone projects. Topics included addressing transportation access, supporting parents and families of children with special needs, exploring occupational therapy’s role in primary care, and promoting workforce development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders. These projects reflect the program’s mission to integrate scholarship, community engagement, and real-world problem solving.

Since its inception, outcomes data show strong student performance and progression. Graduates consistently achieve excellent pass rates on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certification Examination. The 2024 graduates achieved a 100% pass rate in 2025.

The program also completed an interim accreditation report in 2025.  The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy reviewed the Interim Report and voted to accept the report with no further report required. The next on-site evaluation is scheduled for the 2028/29 academic year.

Students and faculty have contributed to a range of scholarly accomplishments over the past year. Some notable accomplishments include:

  • Year 1 students mentored by Steven Wheeler, Ph.D., M.Ed., earned first and third place awards in the Emerging Student Showcase Excellence Award competition at the Arkansas Trauma Rehabilitation Symposium, September 2025.
  • Glenda Hux, OTD, Johnny Rider, Ph.D., and 2024 graduates Sydney Rice, OTD, and Lexus Wicinski, OTD, CNP, published a socioecological needs assessment of alternative learning environments in MDPI: Education Sciences https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15111501
  • Rider, and Year 3 students Faith L. New, and Kayla M. Roat

Published an article in Care Management https://academyccm.org/portfolio/caremanagement-dec-25-jan-26/

  • Wheeler and Kandy Salter, OTD, in collaboration with Year 2 students Isabella Tomboli and Isabeau Smith, will present a poster on physical activity, pain ratings, and self-reported quality of life among cancer survivors across a rural state at the American Occupational Therapy Conference, in April, in Anaheim, California.
  • Five OTD faculty and three recent graduates presented five sessions and two posters at the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association Conference in June 2025 in Fort Smith.

While faculty and student scholarly accomplishments have exceeded those of previous years, one of the year’s standout highlights was the recognition of Amanda Troillett, OTD, clinical assistant professor, who was named the 2025 Most Outstanding Academic Educator by the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association (AROTA). This prestigious award, selected through student nominations, celebrates Troillett’s dedication to teaching, mentorship, and professional identity development within the occupational therapy community.

 

Kandy Salter, OTD, is an assistant professor and the program director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in the UAMS College of Health Professions.