DSU occupational therapy students advocate on Capitol Hill

Delaware State University’s second-year Master of Occupational Therapy students recently took their classroom lessons and real world experiences to the nation’s capital during the American Occupational Therapy Association’s annual Hill Day.

Traveling to Washington, D.C., the group met with congressional representatives and their staff from Delaware, North Carolina, and New York to advocate for issues shaping the future of their field. Their conversations focused on how policy decisions directly affect patient care and access to vital services, with one of the highlights being a personal discussion with Congresswoman Sarah McBride.

The students centered their discussions around three major topics. They urged lawmakers to protect Medicare home health coverage so patients can receive the in-home occupational therapy services essential for recovery. They also promoted expanded access to occupational therapy within mental health care, emphasizing the profession’s growing role in addressing the mental health crisis. Finally, they advocated for continued funding for school-based therapy under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, ensuring that children with special needs have the support required to succeed in school.

For the DSU students, the day served as a powerful reminder that advocacy is a key part of health care.

“Attending AOTA Hill Day was an incredible opportunity to step into the world of advocacy,” said DenNaire Livingston, a second-year Master of Occupational Therapy student. “It reminded me that even as students, our voices matter. Speaking up for the future of occupational therapy and mental health access was both empowering and inspiring.”

Rebecca Webb, also a second-year occupational therapy student, said the experience expanded her view of what it means to serve as a professional in the field. “The AOTA Hill Day was nothing short of eye-opening,” she said. “It deepened my understanding of the legislative process as we were able to speak directly to congresswomen and senator staffers to advocate on issues that will impact occupational therapy. Being able to voice these issues and be heard is truly encouraging for my future profession.”

Students were accompanied by Dr. Brittney Pride, interim chair of the Department of Public and Allied Health Sciences, and Dr. Margaret Gulledge, interim program director for the Master of Occupational Therapy program. Together, they joined peers from across the country to strengthen the profession’s voice and build connections that will carry into their future careers.