Future Leader: Brooke Anderson, OTD/S '27

Brooke Anderson, OTD/S ’27
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
Degrees: BS in Exercise Science from University of South Carolina
Leadership: WUSOTA President; WUCOTAD Co-Chair of Events

What are your meaningful occupations?
I enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking, exploring new places, and birdwatching. Caring for my household plants is meaningful to me - I love being a plant mom! I've always grown up with dogs so caring for animals has always been a large part of my occupational identity. I also enjoy lifting weights. One of my most meaningful occupations is cooking vegetarian meals, especially when I can share them with my loved ones. Spending time and good meals with my loved ones is one of my favorite things to do. 

I also love reading, for professional and leisure purposes. Learning has been a lifelong occupation for me. I love engaging in discourse and hearing my peers' and colleagues' perspectives. 

What is your definition of occupational therapy (OT)?
Occupational Therapy is  a client-centered healthcare field that eliminates barriers and empowers individuals to do the things that they love to do, want to do and need to do. Occupational therapists use a holistic lens and meet their clients where they are, in order to promote health, participation and quality of life. 

Why did you choose the OTD degree?
I chose the OTD degree because I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience as a future provider. I have interests in working in research and academia in my professional future, and the OTD supports my career goals. The Mentored Scholarship labs at WashU also offer such a great opportunity to engage in research, client-centered care, and interprofessional teamwork. I have learned such a wealth of information outside of the standard curriculum by engaging in my mentored lab and am so grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Carla Walker.

What are your career goals?
My goals have evolved as I have continued on my journey of becoming an occupational therapy professional. After I graduate and pass the NBCOT, I would love to pursue clinical practice in neurorehabilitation inpatient hospital or clinic. I hope to expand my learning by seeking advanced certifications. I am looking forward to continue being and becoming a leader in the field of occupational therapy. One day, after many years of practice, I hope to enter the world of academia and research.

What WashU experience stands out to you?
Mentored Labs and Scholarship Day stand out to me. I loved attending Scholarship Day as a first-year and envisioning myself in the second-year students’ shoes in a year. It was so exciting to see the level of professionalism exuded and quality of research that each student shared. Now, as a current second-year, I love hearing from my classmates about all of the projects they are working on. It is incredible that WashU OT offers so many diverse opportunities to engage in research. I am looking forward to when my cohort shares on Scholarship Day. 

Anything else you would like us to know?
I hold so much gratitude and utmost respect for the faculty of WashU OT. Through my mentorship with Dr. Carla Walker, I have grown exponentially in my confidence and use of my emerging clinical judgement. My graduate assistantship supervisor, Dr. Mandy Mack, has allowed me to flourish as a researcher, and has guided me in gaining critical skills I will carry with me throughout my career. Previous and current faculty have held space for their students to be authentic occupational beings, and share vulnerabilities in a space that they have created to be brave and safe.

Also- I am so honored to be part of a cohort of such wonderful individuals. I am inspired by my classmates on the daily, and I’d like to thank them for their guidance, reflections, and open minds and hearts.