Occupational Therapy Rural Health Committee

WELCOME TO THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY RURAL HEALTH COMMITTEE-OTRHC

The purpose of the Occupational Therapy Rural Health Committee (OTRHC) is to recruit providers and broaden access to occupational therapy (OT) services in Southeast North Carolina. UNC MSOT c/o 2026 students interested in rural health applied, and three students were selected for this opportunity. We are piloting the program this 2024-2025 academic year.

OBJECTIVES

• OTRHC will complete approximately 5 site visits to the region
• Partner with SERVE, part of the UNC Hospitals Ingram Institute for Rural Health Initiatives, to educate others about OT as a potential career pathway and engage with different settings in the region
• Work with middle/high school students and teachers to measure student interest in career pathways
• Develop a program guide that could be replicated in future years

RURAL DEFINITION

The North Carolina Rural Center rural definition is: Three additional definitions of urban/rural often cited include: (1) densely populated areas of at least 2,500 people (urban) and all other areas (rural) – US Census Bureau; (2) metropolitan counties (urban) and nonmetropolitan counties (rural) – US Office of Management and Budget; and (3) counties with densities of 250 people per square mile or more (urban) and all other counties (rural).

On the road:

OTRHC members Darius Ingram and Miranda Bravo presented to 35 Southeastern high school students at HEAL day, where students followed a “patient” along the care continuum.

OTRHC lead Sara Peña represented OTRHC at Shallotte Middle School’s mini career fair with UNC Health’s SERVE (Southeastern Rural Vocational Experiences) initiative. Approximately 150-200 Brunswick County students learned about occupation and had hands-on opportunities to use adapted scissors and utensils, as well as explore a dynamometer.

UNC MSOT c/0 2026 students and OTRHC committee members toured two Novant facilities and learned from local practitioners about the needs of the area. OTRHC members will have the opportunity to complete at least one of their level II fieldwork rotations in the Southeast.

OTRHC members attended the Pender County Career Fair at Heide Trask High School, where 500+ students were able to learn about future careers, including OT!

Mid-year impact report

OTRHC member Darius Ingram & Sara Peña (not pictured) visited a Pender County middle school CTE classroom