OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Omaha, Nebraska- In an effort to prepare healthcare workers to cope with the changing face of patient care, Nebraska Methodist College will launch a Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) program in 2016 with recruitment for the exclusive program beginning immediately.
This move by Nebraska Methodist College continues our commitment to teaching the meaning of care and fills an important niche in Nebraska and the Midwest. The on-campus, online hybrid format of the program has been designed to provide students with extensive knowledge of the field through in-class study and a variety of hands-on, immersive fieldwork opportunities.
The program will be led by Dr. Melissa Kimmerling, who has extensive professional and educational experience in Occupational Therapy and healthcare.
"I'm truly excited about the new MOT program here at Nebraska Methodist College," said Dr. Kimmerling. "There's a huge market out there for qualified individuals who are capable of entering a person's life and making a change for the better through occupational therapy. What separates this program from others will be the emphasis on making a positive impact on the healthcare needs of our community through extensive outreach and fieldwork opportunities, with each of our graduates prepared to connect on a personal level with every single one of their clients."
The Occupational Therapy sector has grown dramatically in recent years, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 29% growth between 2012 and 2022, much faster than the average across other industries. The Omaha metropolitan area has itself seen dramatic growth in OT-related facilities and job openings.
Nebraska Methodist College President and CEO Dr. Dennis Joslin expressed his hopes for the MOT program.
"When we're developing new programs at NMC, we always try to look at how to best assist patients, particularly in areas of greatest need," said Dr. Joslin. "As we conducted our research, it became quite clear to us that this was an underserved sector of education within the region. The evolution of healthcare in recent years has turned occupational therapy into a thriving field, and we feel NMC's caring approach to education makes us uniquely situated to prepare the next generation of OT professionals."
NMC has begun accepting applications for the MOT program's August 2016 start date. Interested candidates can visit http://www.methodistcollege.edu/allied-health/occupational-therapy to learn more.
About Nebraska Methodist College
The Omaha, Nebraska-based Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health has been teaching the meaning of care for 125 years and counting. An affiliate of Methodist Health System, NMC offers certificate, undergraduate and graduate degrees both on campus and online. Nebraska Methodist College is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.