PERSPECTIVES 25th Anniversary - Fall-Winter 2018

38 Nova Southeastern University By Rebecca I. Estes, Ph.D., OTR, CAPS, Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Fort Lauderdale and Tampa History Viewed Through a Multi-Perspective Lens THE DEPARTMENT of Occupational Therapy (OT) has evolved since its beginnings with the reorganization and subsequent renaming of the college to the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences (PCHCS). The new image of the Department of Occupational Therapy is a united team of 4 program directors and 22 faculty members spanning 4 programs and 2 campuses. Sandee Dunbar started a very long and rewarding journey in the NSU Department of Occupational Therapy in 1995. Suze Dudley, M.S.Ed., OT, FAOTA, and Reba Anderson, Ph.D., OT, FAOTA, former chairs of the department, initiated the Master of Occupational Therapy Program one year earlier. These incredible academic leaders, along with the faculty members, embarked on a journey to change the face of occupational therapy education. They integrat- ed student community engagement and primary care intervention with lifelong learning principles and intense classes on practice areas, with an occupation focus. Dunbar’s personal memories of Anderson include the observation of a force that was unstoppable in creating change and a strong voice in the OT community. Ander- son’s annual Great Southern Conference integrated several southern states for professional dialogue, scholarly de- bates, and research presentations. “She taught me to work through tough times and to be adaptive while making the most out of challenging situations,” Dunbar said. Dunbar’s mentors were many among the occupational therapy leaders who carefully crafted the initial Occupational Therapy Program at NSU. She offers a collective thank-you from all the faculty members and graduates who benefited from these women of wisdom. Sandee Dunbar, D.P.A., OTR/L, FAOTA, former assistant dean of professional development and education and former OT professor, Fort Lauderdale/ Davie Campus M.O.T. Program Beginnings