Eighteen students at Stony Brook University have become the first cohort in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program to receive their white coats, signifying the start of the clinical phase of their training. The ceremony, held on January 30 at the Bauman Center for Leadership and Service, was organized by the School of Health Professions and its Department of Occupational Therapy. Faculty members, university leaders, and family members attended to mark this milestone.
“It is a profound honor to recognize the inaugural class of Doctorate of Occupational Therapy students at their White Coat Ceremony,” said Stacy Jaffee Gropack, dean of the School of Health Professions. “This milestone symbolizes their entry into a profession grounded in compassion, evidence-based practice and service.”
Following the ceremony, students began Level II fieldwork placements at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community organizations across Long Island. They discussed their capstone interests and reflected on why they chose occupational therapy as a career dedicated to helping individuals regain skills needed for daily living after injury or illness.
“These scholars will advance knowledge in occupational therapy through innovation, research and interprofessional collaboration while upholding the highest standards of patient-centered care,” Gropack said. “As Stony Brook students, they are uniquely positioned to meet critical community needs by providing essential occupational services that enhance function, independence and quality of life across the lifespan.”
The shift from a Master of Science degree to a Doctoral program comes as demand for occupational therapists continues to grow. According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in occupational therapy are expected to rise significantly between 2022 and 2032. Occupational therapists work in diverse settings including healthcare facilities, schools, and community programs where they design treatment plans supporting both physical rehabilitation and mental health.
Stony Brook announced in April 2024 that it would transition its Master’s program into a doctoral program. This new degree is now recognized as the first public entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate within the State University of New York system on Long Island and only the second such program on Long Island overall. The three-year curriculum uses a hybrid model with simulation modules, technology integration, telehealth training, and less required time spent on campus.
“Our inaugural White Coat Ceremony represents a defining moment for the Occupational Therapy program,” said Dale A. Coffin, clinical associate professor and chairperson of the Department of Occupational Therapy. “It symbolizes our evolution, our commitment to excellence and our belief in the transformative power of this profession.”
Coffin explained that doctoral preparation addresses current challenges in healthcare: “Doctoral programs are designed to enhance the knowledge of occupational therapists to its highest level and help them be best prepared for applying evidence-based healthcare and for engaging in research,” she said.
She also highlighted factors like ongoing health issues related to COVID-19 recovery, medical advances requiring new expertise among practitioners, and increasing demand from aging populations who prefer home-based care as reasons for strengthening education requirements.
The OTD curriculum aims “to elevate preparation by deepening clinical reasoning, expanding opportunities for doctoral-level scholarship, and intentionally cultivating leaders who can innovate, influence policy, and advance practice,” Coffin said.
“We are not simply preparing competent clinicians,” she added. “We are preparing visionary occupational therapists who will shape the future of healthcare.”
