Occupational Therapy program achieves highest ranking in its history

The Occupational Therapy program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions continues its upward trajectory among the nation’s top programs. The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, released this morning, places the program tied for 15th, its highest rank ever, which means it’s among the top 5% of all programs. 

“I think it's an amazing accomplishment,” said Emily Eddy, director of the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. “I really attribute the increase in our ranking to the dedication of our faculty and staff to advancing not only educational and instructional methods for students, but they’re also advancing the science of occupational therapy in their own research, and they are collaborating with colleagues across the nation and globally.” 

The new ranking means the MGH Institute’s occupational therapy program is among the top 5% of all programs nationwide, a significant accomplishment for a program that began just over a decade ago. 

“It's an incredible accomplishment to be at a place where our student body, alumni, faculty, staff, are regarded as some of the best in the country by our colleagues,” said Sarah McKinnon, chair of the Occupational Therapy department. “We're proud to continue influencing occupational therapy education and health care delivery.”

Along with being in the Top 5% nationwide, the OT program is third in New England. McKinnon attributes institutional support and resources to the rise. 

“The MGH Institute continues to support our faculty and staff in delivering education that will allow our students to be amongst the most prepared OTs in the country,” noted McKinnon. “I believe you see our team’s excellence in how we deliver curriculum and also how we represent our programs and our team around the country. We are known nationally and that is so much due to the support from our institution.”

Two other MGH Institute programs are listed in the Top 20 as well; the Speech Language Pathology program is ranked 13th across the country and ranked second in New England. 

“Not only are we a Top 20 program, but we’re among the top 5%,” said Lesley Maxwell, director for the MS-SLP program. “That speaks to the quality of our faculty, the clinical experiences, the success our students achieve when they graduate, and the overall composition of what we do. We’re very proud.” 

The Institute’s Physical Therapy program is ranked 16th nationally and tied for first in New England. 

“We’re proud to continue to be ranked as a Top 20 program and to be tied as the number one program in New England,” said Keshrie Nadoo, chair of the Physical Therapy department. “Our dedicated faculty and outstanding clinical partners are the reason why our ranking remains high.”

The MGH Institute, the only degree-granting affiliate of Mass General Brigham, integrates interprofessional education into its programs and practice curriculum, known as IMPACT Practice, in which students learn from and with each other so they are prepared to work in health care teams that improve patient outcomes.

“This national recognition underscores the strength of our programs, the quality of our clinical partnerships, our collective commitment to advancing health and rehabilitation education and research, and the impactful work of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” concluded said School of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences dean Laura Plummer. 

Today’s rankings only looked at a select number of fields and disciplines; professions such as nursing were not ranked during this cycle.