The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Department of Occupational Therapy College of Health Professions
Message from the Chair
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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a Higher Education Hispanic Serving Institution committed to serving the educational and health needs of the rapidly growing transnational, culturally diverse population of South Texas. The Rio Grande Valley is a rural area located in the southernmost tip of Texas. With the aspiration to promote and increase diversity among occupational therapy health profession, the UTRGV Occupational Therapy program is committed to educating disadvantaged and underrepresented minorities. It also hopes to substantially serve the medically underserved populations of the Rio Grande Valley. The Occupational Therapy program began in 1999 in the Rio Grande Valley program as a program of the legacy institution - University of Texas-Pan American. In Fall 2015, the legacy UTPA institution transformed into the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). |
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The UTRGV Occupational Therapy program provides an opportunity to acquire entry-level knowledge and professional skills, to build critical thinking skills, and to develop clinical research skills in a health profession based on occupational performance. The academic curriculum is designed to expose students to the influence and impact of occupation, culture, systems, disabilities and leadership on the provision of occupational therapy and reducing health disparities. Graduates of the program will be able to guide individuals in understanding how their ability to perform daily activities affects their capacity to take part in home, school, work, and community life. Guided by the values and ethics of the profession, graduates will be able to effectively evaluate and provide intervention for clients’ occupational needs, problems and concerns. Our graduates are known for their excellence in clinical practice. Our faculty actively engage in innovative occupational therapy education, research, and service. As a program within the College of Health Professions, occupational therapy students and faculty are involved in interprofessional collaborations across the Division of Health Affairs and enjoy all the benefits of studying and working within an academic healthcare community. Faculty and students engage in and promote scholarly inquiry and service in support of the health and wellness of the Rio Grande Valley. We are active partners in the University and the local community, as well as state and national professional organizations. We invite you to explore our website to find out more information about our educational program, research and scholarly accomplishments, our students and alumni, and more. We look forward to helping all of our students make a difference in meeting the needs of persons experiencing disablement, advancing the profession of occupational therapy, and developing the skills and experiences needed to drive the future of our field. Come join us to transform the Rio Grande Valley and Beyond!
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