In the early 1960s, University Hospital, the clinical heart of the medical college and center that would become UAB, formalized paraprofessional allied health units. Certificate-based training programs began in OT, physical therapy, and other specialized services.

• 1963: Elsie Holmes McKibbin, OTR, was hired to launch the first OT unit at University Hospital. As part of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, she became the hospital’s first occupational therapist and was pivotal in developing inpatient and outpatient OT services.
• 1965: Spain Rehabilitation Center, which had opened the previous year, hired OTs to create treatment programs and structured OT curricula. Services included helping individuals return to work after injuries or illnesses.
• 1968–1969: The hospital-based OT certificate training program transitioned to the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSOT) degree, which would prepare much-needed therapists for Alabama’s hospitals and clinics.
• 1969: Dr. S. Richardson Hill, UAB vice president for health affairs, announced the reorganization of the OT and PT departments under a single director. Wilma Lindberg, chair of OT, and Marilyn Gossman, acting chair of PT, took charge of services at all University of Alabama hospitals, as well as of their respective academic programs. A major goal was reducing Alabama’s critical shortage of therapists. At the time, the state had just 1 OT or PT for every 36,343 residents, far below the national average of 1 per 7,743.

National Context

The integration and expansion of OT at UAB during the 1960s paralleled national growth driven by landmark healthcare policies such as Medicare and Medicaid, which emphasized OT’s value in enhancing quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

During the 1970s, UAB OT graduates entered a fast-growing field, as occupational therapy moved beyond hospitals into schools and community settings. By the decade’s end, UAB OT was a leading provider of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Alabama and beyond.

• 1970: UAB’s BSOT program received national accreditation, the first program Alabama and the third in the Southeast to gain this recognition. Its inaugural class of nine students graduated in June.
• 1974: UAB launched its OTA program to expand access to allied health education and respond to increasing community needs for skilled OT support. Students did general coursework at an Alabama junior college then completed clinical training at UAB, earning an associate’s degree.
• 1975: UAB’s OTA program received national accreditation.
• 1976: UAB faculty and alumni helped found the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association (ALOTA), increasing professional advocacy and statewide collaboration.

National Context

In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act mandated OT services in public schools, fueling demand for OT services nationwide.

In the 1980s, UAB OT kept pace with advances in the field, enriching its curriculum with emerging theories and techniques and emphasizing evidence-based practice and specialty areas. Faculty expanded research, contributing to the program’s reputation for academic excellence and preparing for the transition to graduate education.

• 1987: UAB renamed its allied health division the School of Health-Related Professions, reflecting a national shift toward advanced degrees, stronger professional identity, and expanded practice roles.
• 1988: The Alpha Beta Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon opens a new website, the national honor society for OT students and alumni, was founded at UAB.

National Context

Major policy shifts in the 1980s broadened OT’s role in early intervention and care for older adults, increasing the need for specialized skills.

The 1990s marked UAB OT’s full transition to the BSOT and its rapid moves toward graduate-level OT education.

• 1993: ALOTA named its highest honor the Elsie Holmes McKibbin Award, a reminder of McKibbin’s foundational contributions to OT at UAB and in Alabama. UAB OT alumna and faculty member Carroline “Cat” Amari was the award’s first recipient.
• 1994: The final cohort of students completed the OTA program, marking UAB OT’s full transition from associate-level education, which continued through the state’s junior colleges, to baccalaureate programs. Graduate programs were soon to follow.
• 1995: UAB introduced a post-professional MSOT program, allowing practicing OTs to gain advanced clinical skills.

National Context

By the decade’s end, new national accreditation standards required all entry-level OT programs to transition to the graduate level by 2007.

In the 2000s, UAB led regional efforts to elevate OT education, reaching a pivotal milestone as it adopted the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) as its entry-level standard.

• 2000: The last undergraduate OT cohort was enrolled, and the first MSOT cohort began, placing UAB among early adopters of the new national standard for entry into the profession.
• 2001: UAB established the independent Department of Occupational Therapy, expanding faculty, research, and curricula. Dr. Mary Warren launched UAB’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate program—the first of its kind in the United States—exemplifying the department’s leadership in specialty practice areas.
• 2007: Dr. Penelope “Penny” Moyers, chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy, was elected president of the American Occupational Therapy Association, underscoring UAB’s influence on the national stage.

National Context

In 2002, CMS began covering low vision rehabilitation, formally recognizing occupational therapists as qualified providers. The shift reflected a growing national focus on vision-related care, an area in which UAB was already leading through its pioneering certificate program, now one of the most recognized of its kind worldwide.

In the 2010s, UAB OT moved decisively toward doctoral education and gained in national recognition.

• 2011: The first cohort of students began the new PhD in Rehabilitation Science, a joint program offered by UAB’s departments of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy opens a new website.
• 2017: UAB’s MSOT program was ranked 25th nationally by U.S. News & World Report, placing it among the top 15% of OT schools nationwide.
• 2018: Faculty began developing a three-year entry-level OTD curriculum emphasizing advanced clinical skills, leadership, research, and advocacy.
• 2019: UAB launched its online Post-Professional OTD program, replacing the post-professional MSOT program.

In the 2020s, UAB’s entry-level program completed its transition from the MSOT to the OTD degree, ensuring that graduates enter the workforce with the highest level of preparation in clinical practice, research, and leadership.

• 2020: UAB OT opened applications for its first entry-level OTD cohort and accepted the final MSOT cohort.
• 2021: The first cohort of the entry-level OTD program matriculated in summer 2021, making UAB the first university in Alabama to offer the doctoral degree as an entry credential.
• 2022: UAB introduced a course in blindness rehabilitation as part of its Low Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate program. Taught by Jenice Heck, a blind occupational therapist, the course delivers a rare blend of clinical expertise and lived experience, an offering few programs can match.
• 2023: The entry-level OTD program earned the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education’s full seven-year accreditation, and its first cohort of 56 students graduated.
• 2024: UAB OT launched the Multitiered Approach to Trauma Graduate Certificate program, equipping professionals to implement trauma-informed practices.
• 2025: U.S. News & World Report ranked UAB’s entry-level OTD program #24 in the nation, making it the seventh highest-ranked program in the South.

Contemporary occupational therapy focuses on the whole person, using evidence-based approaches to help people stay active, independent, and engaged in the activities that matter most to them.

As the field expands into areas like mental health, chronic disease management, and community-based care, UAB is at the forefront. It programs offer innovative training and real-world research that prepares graduates to transform lives through clinical care, advocacy, and discovery.

• Faculty leadership: More than half of UAB OT’s faculty are alumni of its own programs, reflecting the lasting influence of their education and their commitment to advancing the profession. This shared experience fosters meaningful mentorship and teaching, preparing future occupational therapists to lead with vision, compassion, and expertise.
• Student opportunities: UAB entry-level OTD students gain real-world experience through more than 240 national fieldwork partnerships. These immersive learning opportunities span hospitals, rehab centers, schools, and community-based programs, equipping students with the skills and confidence to make a difference in wide-ranging settings.
• Active research: UAB OT faculty have secured more than $4 million in external funding to investigate new ways to enhance daily function and quality of life. Current research explores innovative interventions for individuals affected by multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, developmental disorders, and other conditions that significantly affect everyday activities.
• Clinical excellence: UAB OT faculty members help lead specialized clinical practices, including the Neuroplasticity Rehabilitation Program opens a new website and the Adult Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) at the Children’s of Alabama/UAB Tourette Syndrome Center of Excellence opens a new website. These programs combine advanced neuroscience with proven behavioral strategies to improve outcomes for individuals and families navigating complex conditions.