The entire Commonwealth has reason to celebrate the 25th anniversary this year of Eastern Kentucky University's Occupational Therapy Program.

Of the 1,200-plus licensed occupational therapists in Kentucky, about 75 percent graduated from EKU, which offers the Commonwealth's only baccalaureate degree program in occupational therapy at a public institution, the only master's degree program and partners with the University of Kentucky in a joint doctoral program in rehabilitation science.

Eastern's influence on the development of OT in rural southeastern Kentucky has been even more profound. An 18-county section of the region had only four occupational therapists as late as 1987; now there are over 200.

"One of our goals was the development of occupational therapy in Kentucky," said Joy Anderson, who joined the OT faculty at EKU in 1978 and served from 1980 to 1996 as department chair, "and this department has been instrumental in the development of occupational therapy in Kentucky in every way: lobbying state government for a licensure law, getting new positions, providing education, developing fieldwork sites and creating a reputation for OT. Eastern put occupational therapy on the map in Kentucky."

Just as the program has met what was an acute shortage of occupational therapists, especially in rural areas, departmental faculty are recognized nationwide as leaders in the field. Three faculty members (out of 18 nationally) have been awarded the Lindy Boggs Award for Political Leadership; nine faculty members are included in the Roster of Fellows of the American Occupational Therapy Association; five faculty members have served as president of the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association; and many faculty have served on the KOTA Executive Board.

Likewise, EKU graduates - 1,190 at the baccalaureate level and 61 at the graduate level -- are in high demand in the marketplace and many assume leadership roles as well. Since the program's inception, EKU students have enjoyed a 92 percent pass rate on the first attempt on the national certification exam, well ahead of the national average of about 85 percent. Counting second attempts, the pass rate is 100 percent.

In addition, the most recent alumni survey found that all graduates who actively sought employment found jobs within three months of their internship, selecting from among four to seven job offers. Eighty-two percent are earning more than $30,000 annually in various settings, including: school systems, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, early education programs, community mental health facilities, industries, homeless shelters and private practice.

Up to 50 students will be accepted in Eastern's Occupational Therapy Program each year and if a recent study from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics is any indication, EKU's occupational therapy graduates will continue to be in high demand. The Bureau said OT employment is expected to increase 21 to 35 percent from 2004 through 2008.

By the time they enter the job market, EKU occupational therapy graduates already have ample experience through internships and service learning experiences through numerous collaborative relationships throughout central and southeastern Kentucky. Eastern students, with faculty supervision, provide various OT services where none would otherwise be available, often in rural, isolated communities.

The outreach even helps to recruit students, according to Kate Tuminski, an assistant professor in the Department. "By going into the communities and providing services, it has stimulated others to want to come here."

Jennifer Adams, a senior OT major from Hyden whose mother, Betty, also is a student in the program, said the hands-on experiences are invaluable. "It shows you really what it's all about."

Laura Brantley, a junior OT major from Glasgow, also is carrying on a family tradition … but in a different sense. Her great-great-aunt, Loulie Rogers Richardson, was one of the nation's first occupational therapists - then called reconstruction aides - in the early 20th century. Brantley said Eastern's program, while large enough to provide diverse experiences, has not lost its personal touch.

"We're treated more as equals, as individuals," she said. "The professors care about what goes on with our lives and how it might affect our schoolwork. You don't get lost in the shuffle."

Last year, Dr. Doris Pierce was named the Endowed Chair in Occupational Therapy to help foster an increased emphasis on research.

"The Department started with a mandate to address a severe shortage of occupational therapists across Kentucky," Pierce said. "Now that the shortage is no longer severe, the department is maturing to a point where it can begin to turn its attention to graduate education, scholarship and leadership in the field beyond our region."

EKU's baccalaureate and graduate OT programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Occupational Therapy Education. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) based on at least 45 college credit hours to apply for the undergraduate program. Volunteer work also is considered, as well as letters of recommendation.

Soon, the Occupational Therapy Program will begin a transition to an entry-level master's degree program.

For more information about EKU's Department of Occupational Therapy, call 859-622-3300 or visit www.ot.eku.edu.