Regis celebrates new occupational therapy space, partnership expansion
Regis University and Creighton University celebrated the expansion of a unique partnership that offers a hybrid Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program Friday with a ribbon-cutting event, opening a new space that represents a significant next step in the life of the program. The event, which took place at the Interprofessional Health Campus in Thornton, welcomed more than 100 guests, including students, alumni, and community partners from Omaha and Denver.
The new OT program space can now accommodate up to 32 students in each cohort, an increase from the previous maximum of 24. It boasts dedicated facilities, including an Activities of Daily Living suite, OT lab and OT classroom. Furthermore, students have access to a lounge area, an additional classroom, and collaborative spaces in the counseling and nursing areas, complete with kitchen facilities, computers and a library. The program's lab technology has been upgraded to include high-definition monitors, built-in speakers and microphones, and videoconferencing capabilities.
Some of the distinguished guests at the event were Creighton School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Dean Amy Wilson, Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann, Thornton Mayor Pro-tem Jessica Sandgren, Adams County Health Department Director of Health Equity and Strategic Innovations Monica Buhlig, Adams 12 Five Star School District Superintendent Chris Gdowski, Adams County Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio and President and CEO of the Thornton Area Chamber of Commerce Courtney Potter.
"We're excited about this expanded space. These enhancements result in modernized labs and classrooms, capable of accommodating a higher number of students. We take pride in our program's development and are confident that this partnership with Creighton will be mutually beneficial," said Suzanne Holm, associate professor and occupational therapy academic program coordinator for the School of Physical Therapy at Regis University.
“This collaboration with Regis is going to result in an expanded educational experience that will ensure students receive the highest quality training possible. It also fits so well with our Jesuit education principle of providing care for the whole person – cura personalis – because it will provide students with hands-on skills training from OT experts in an interprofessional setting,” said Lou Jensen, associate professor and pathway coordinator for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Creighton University.
Since 2015, Creighton University, located in Omaha, Nebraska, and Regis University in Denver have partnered to offer a hybrid OTD program. This year, the hybrid OTD program expanded at Regis at its Thornton campus, offering a newly renovated learning environment. This collaboration is the first of its kind among Jesuit universities.