Occupational therapy, a health care profession encompassing theory and utilizing assessment and intervention, is pivotal in helping individuals, groups and communities develop, recover or maintain meaningful activities or occupations. It assists people of all ages who face physical, sensory or cognitive challenges, making a profound difference in their lives.
Faculty and students say the Touro University Nevada’s School of Occupational Therapy offers unique learning environments.
One of the unique things about Toro University Nevada’s School of Occupational Therapy is the over 20 standardized patient experiences that students participate in throughout their program. Paid actors are trained to simulate real-life experiences the students will have when they go out in practice. Each semester, those experiences get more challenging and complex, so they have the opportunity to feel and reflect on what actual practice looks like when they go out there.
Assistant professor Dr. Brynn Butzmann was hired in February after beginning her OT career as a student at Touro University Nevada. She graduated from the program in 2019 and then took the doctoral capstone program she created as a student and turned that into a business specializing in aquatic occupational therapy.
“We’re a small department, which greatly helps the students because they get to know their professors. It’s a very close-knit group, which greatly benefits the students,” Butzmann said.
Dr. Shannon Martin, a Nevada native and program director of the School of Occupational Therapy, brings a unique and unwavering dedication to the program, which instills confidence and reassurance in the students and faculty.
“When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to be an occupational therapist, but there wasn’t a program in Southern Nevada. I had to go out of state to become trained as an OT, and I moved back here,” Martin explained.
She said she is thrilled to witness the growth of occupational therapy in Southern Nevada, the work that Touro’s alums are doing in different areas and the businesses they’ve built.
“Many of the OTs out there are graduates of Touro. It is the collective big picture of having a program in Southern Nevada giving back to our community,” Martin said.
James Tang, an occupational therapy doctorate student, is in his first year of the program.
“After graduating, I am open to exploring various settings and populations within occupational therapy to find my niche. My ultimate professional goal is to become an administrator or to own my own OT clinic one day. This ambition stems from a desire to combine my clinical skills with my interest in leadership and business management, allowing me to create a therapeutic environment that provides high-quality, patient-centered care. Through this journey, I hope to significantly impact the OT community by fostering innovation and improving access to essential occupational therapy services.”
“I chose Touro University Nevada’s OTD program because of its amazing reputation and comprehensive curriculum emphasizing academic excellence and practical experience. The program’s strong focus on hands-on learning and clinical opportunities was particularly appealing, as it ensures that students are well-prepared and confident in handling real-world scenarios,” said Christopher Chin, an occupational therapy doctorate student in Year I.
“Most of our students get job offers at one of their clinical rotation sites. That’s how many students end up staying here if they are from out of state. They see this as a good situation, and they work with clinicians and clinicians can evaluate them. Students get job experience and earn $70,000 to $80,000 or more from attending school,” said Dr. Robert Askey, dean of the College of Health & Human Services.
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