FORT SMITH, AR — The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) recently held its annual DRAFT Day for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OT) students. “DRAFT” stands for Designated Reveal of Academic Field Training. Sixteen students from the ACHE OT Class of 2026 found out where they will be completing their Level II Fieldwork Experiences.
DRAFT Day was held at the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center (RIHWC) and was filled with excitement and camaraderie as students gathered to learn their fieldwork placements. Each student received their designated site, where they will gain invaluable practical skills essential for becoming competent occupational therapists.
As the students opened nicely wrapped boxes revealing their placements, cheers, laughter and confetti erupted throughout the room. Many students expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness about their upcoming fieldwork experiences, which will take place in a variety of clinical settings throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma. 
Some of the specialties include, Pediatrics (outpatient, school-based, early intervention, & acute pediatric hospital), Adults (outpatient, inpatient rehabilitation, & acute hospital), Hand Therapy, Indian Nation Healthcare, and Home Health. Each fieldwork is three months in duration. 
According to Jennifer Moore, PhD, Dean of the ACHE School of OT, “This ceremony is unique to ACHE OT. We wanted a way to signify this significant rite of passage from didactic coursework to fieldwork education.” Moore also added, “While ACHE OT may be a new program, our experiential team certainly has the experience, expertise, background, and national reputation to afford you to have successful fieldwork experiences.”
DRAFT Day signifies a pivotal moment in the students’ education, transitioning them from the classroom to real-world applications of their training. With their placements secured, the Class of 2026 is one step closer to their goal of becoming skilled occupational therapists, ready to make a difference in the lives of others.
The Occupational Therapy program at ACHE is dedicated to preparing students for success in the field, and DRAFT Day is a testament to that commitment. As students embark on this next chapter, the faculty and staff at ACHE wish them all the best in their upcoming field experiences.
