Occupational Therapy
2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan
The Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health Professions at Stony Brook University is proud to introduce its 2024-2028 strategic plan, created to enhance and promote student excellence and community-centric values. Aligned closely with the school’s and university's vision, this strategic plan sets ambitious goals and objectives aimed at enriching service and innovation in the field. Through collaborative partnerships, research initiatives, and a focus on experiential learning, our department is committed to preparing future occupational therapists who embody integrity, empathy, and a profound dedication to serving clients, patients, and the community at large. This strategic plan not only positions us to meet the evolving demands of the field, but also reinforces our commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and compassion in our students, ensuring they are equipped to make meaningful contributions to practice and advocacy.
Mission
The Department of Occupational Therapy expands the context and content of occupational therapy education through high quality innovative and comprehensive educational programs that support 21stcentury practice. Our changing world requires practitioners who have the knowledge, skills, and training to be leaders to address global, community, and individual health concerns and promote our human need for engagement in life activities and quality of life across the life span. Our program supports Stony Brook University’s collective vision to provide accessible graduate education and foster the advancement of a diverse occupational therapy workforce.
Strategic Priority I - Program Education Delivery
Goal I.1 - Educational excellence | Foster student success and productivity through geared student outcomes with the OT community at large
Objective 1 – Quality: Advance outstanding national quality rankings
- Tactic - Uphold the highest educational standards of its programs to ensure continued accreditation with ACOTE
- Tactic – Acquire exceptional clinical rotations and capstone opportunities
Objective 2 - Cultivate influential leaders
- Tactic - Promote active student and faculty engagement in community service events
- Tactic - Promote leadership roles within professional organizations
- Tactic – Develop and design sustainable emerging areas of practice programs
- Tactic - Track alumni transitions into leadership positions to demonstrate success of leadership development
Goal I.2 - Promote student learning | Foster innovative opportunities that offer long term significance and professional outcomes
Objective 1 - Outreach for retention
- Tactic - Provide 1:1 faculty advisement sessions to all OT students
- Tactic - Promote departmental engagement activities each semester
- Tactic - Design alumni/student mentorship program
Objective 2 - Participate in admissions outreach activities to promote the OT profession
- Tactic - Offer students the opportunity to volunteer for career events for service hours
- Tactic - Enhance use of social media to improve communications with current and prospective students
Goal I.3 - Educational Expansion | Promote expansion of educational opportunities through student led groups and didactic experiences
Objective 1 - Optimal Program Outcomes
- Tactic - Meet/exceed exam pass rates as per ACOTE
- Tactic - Meet/exceed national NBCOT pass rates
- Tactic - Meet/exceed graduation pass rates as per ACOTE
- Tactic - Meet/exceed retention/attrition pass rates as per ACOTE
Objective 2 - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Tactic - Utilize the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) to incorporating DEI into the OT curriculum
Objective 3 - Interprofessional Education
- Tactic - OT will support student participation in school-wide IPE events, i.e., Pediatric IPE day, SHP IPE day
Strategic Priority II - Program Workforce and Culture
Goal II.1 - Leadership Development | Enhancing and apply EBP to promote emerging leaders within the profession
Objective 1 - Workforce engagement: Promote a work environment that cultivates faculty and staff engagement, wellness, and satisfaction
- Tactic - OT will continue to support faculty and staff engagement in SHP mentoring program
- Tactic - OT will cultivate innovation, enhance professional growth, and create a thriving environment for our staff and faculty
- Tactic - Explore educational leadership programs for faculty members to facilitate growth and development
Objective 2 - Workforce Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Tactic - Provide support for faculty & staff to participate in DEI initiatives
- Tactic - Add inclusive ADLs into course content
Strategic Priority III - Program Research
Goal III.1 - Expand OT Research Enterprise | Carry out research and intellectual endeavors to apply evidence-based principles to clinical practice
Objective 1 - Interprofessional Research
- Tactic - Department will conduct 2 faculty run IPE course experiences
- Tactic - Students will have the opportunity to participate in IPE coursework
Strategic Priority IV - Program Resources
Goal IV.1 - Supporting Excellence | Support and advance excellence through allocation of resources
Objective 1 - Donor Engagement
- Tactic - Participate in philanthropic activities to increase donor engagement
- Tactic - Engage with alumni to improve donor relations
- Tactic - Track alumni involvement in leadership and advocacy positions and publications
- Tactic - Network with OT alumni to support OT's excellence fund and student engagement opportunities
Strategic Priority V - Program Community and Partnerships
Goal V.1 - Cultivate community partnerships | Enhancing our collaboration for OTD education
Objective 1 - Community Engagement
- Tactic - The OT program will partake in 1 CS events based around the program OT Month
- Tactic - The OT program will partake in 1 CS service event for and World OT Day
Objective 2 - Build partnerships with new community sites
- Tactic - Seek out new community sites for OTD capstone and community day experiences
