By: Erik Pedersen, Content Strategy Director
BALTIMORE – Students in Notre Dame of Maryland University's Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program earned Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification as part of a course, teaching key insights on the tools and techniques needed to start and maintain a successful small business, and giving them an advantage over others who are training to become occupational therapists.
Kristina Boykin D'25 and Cortney Elick D'25 received their certificates after completing a final proposed business presentation to conclude their Business Planning and Business Development in Occupational Therapy course in the spring semester. Their business plan centered around a virtual mentoring company which would specialize on providing support to new and potential occupational therapy students across the country.
“Six Sigma is generally a set of management techniques that are intended to improve business processes,” Elick said. “The main goals are to save money and increase customer satisfaction, and those are two things that we talked about a lot in class. A key point that our professors emphasized is that, even if we ultimately decide not to open our own company, the strategies and skills that we learned in this class can be used anywhere that we work, and that knowledge will separate us from other employees.”
Sylvia Palm, a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, works as a professional licensure coordinator in NDMU's Academic Affairs Department and co-taught the course with OTD program director Dr. Ivelisse Lazzarini. Palm presented the students with their certificates at the conclusion of the course.
In the class, students learned how to use screening and feasibility tools to effectively conduct a business analysis to determine the worthiness of a potential new business idea. They also completed a business plan, including an executive summary, industry and market analysis, a marketing strategy and plan based upon Critical Business Requirements (CBR), an operations plan, risk management, a product/service development plan, and company structure. Lastly, students identified the financial requirements of a new business and developed pro-forma financial statements.
“It’s not too common for occupational therapists to create their own companies, but we’re well-equipped to do so,” Elick said. “I think it’s a great way to not only advocate for the profession, but also advocate for the communities that we serve if we increase our accessibility. That’s what this class introduced us to.”
Notre Dame launched the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program in fall 2021, with the first cohort of students graduating in May 2024. The program is set to welcome a record-breaking number of students for its incoming fourth cohort in fall 2024.
“I’ve definitely enjoyed my experience in the program,” Boykin said. “The faculty provide us with practical, hands-on learning opportunities, which has been really beneficial for me.”
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.