Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.

It is an honour to serve as the Chair of this research and education-intensive department supported by award-winning staff and faculty.

The demand for occupational therapists in Ontario, Canada and the world has never been greater.  We aim to prepare our students to be practice-ready health care professionals, innovators and advocates to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare system. Graduates from our Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program are recognized for their outstanding contributions and leadership in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, individual’s homes and community living, private practices, community organizations, educational institutions, branches of government and more.

The University of Toronto is home to the first occupational therapy program in Canada, founded in 1918. While much has changed since then, we take pride in continuing to be an exciting place to learn. Through our educational and research activities, the department amplifies the essential value of an occupational lens on well-being, health and quality of life. We achieve this through our four strategic priorities that seek to grow our research enterprise, better prepare our students for the complexities in practice, forge novel intersectional partnerships and nurture the department’s community.

I encourage you to explore our website to learn more about our staff and faculty, educational offerings, research, partners and students.

Mary Forhan, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Professor and Chair