Skip to main content

Occupational Therapy records

 Collection
Identifier: 08.OT

Scope and Contents

The Occupational Therapy records contain information regarding the Occupational Therapy program at Eastern Michigan University, the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. The Occupational Therapy records has been divided into four series: Michigan Occupational Therapy Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, Administration, Communications and Events. Materials in the collection date from 1941-2011 and include some administrative materials, clippings, and photographs.

Dates

  • 1941 - 2011

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to use through the University Archives.

Administrative History

The Occupational Therapy curriculum at Michigan State Normal College originated as a joint effort by Dr. Charles Elliot, Head of the Special Education Department, Dr. Yoder, Superintendent of Ypsilanti State Hospital, Mary Black OTR and Mabel Wicks Nelson OTR, and Dr. James Roe from the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

It was established as a divisionĀ of the Special Education Department and housed in the Rackham School building on campus. The course officially began in the fall of 1941 with Beatrice Wade OTR, an experienced therapist with seven years in psychiatric practice and ten as an instructor and consultant in mental health, as director and instructor. Enrolled in the program were thirteen students, four freshmen and nine sophomores. By 1942, the course was recognized as conforming to requirements established by the American Medical Association for an accredited Occupational Therapy school and it was fully approved in 1944 upon the graduation of its first class.

Occupational Therapy now offers a Masters degree program and is part of the College of Health and Human Services. The program celebrated 70 years in the fall of 2011, honoring emeritus faculty member Lyla M. Spelbring with an endowed lectureship.

Extent

1.2 Linear Feet (1 record center carton, 1 halfsize archive box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The teaching of Occupational Therapy began as part of the Special Education program at the Michigan State Normal College in 1941. By 1942, the curriculum was evaluated by the American Medical Association and found to meet the requirements for accreditation, and its first graduating class was in 1944. Today, the program is part of the Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services and offers both undergraduate and master degree programs. The Occupational Therapy records contain information regarding the Occupational Therapy program at Eastern Michigan University, the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Materials in the collection date from 1941-2011 and include some administrative materials, clippings, and photographs.

Related Materials

For information regarding student organizations with Occupational Therapy, see the following collections:

Occupational Therapy Student Organizations records [08.OTSO]:

https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/889

the Lyla M. Spelbring collection [018.LS]:

https://aspace.emich.edu/repositories/2/resources/512

Title
Occupational Therapy records
Status
Completed
Author
Courtney Dornburg, Natalie Morath
Date
2012 January 12
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Eastern Michigan University Archives Repository

Contact:
Bruce T. Halle Library, Room 310
955 West Circle Drive
Ypsilanti Michigan 48197
734-487-2673