USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Karlee Burton, OTD, OTR/L
Karlee Burton, OTD, OTR/L
Degree: Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Current Position: Occupational Therapist, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System
For Karlee Burton, the journey to becoming an occupational therapist began a long way from South Dakota. Born and raised in central Oregon, Burton studied exercise science and business at a small Oregon college and says she "took a leap of faith" during the pandemic in choosing the USD School of Health Sciences for her doctoral studies.
"I interviewed remotely because of COVID and I had a great experience," she says. "USD was actually the one school that I didn't visit in person but I knew it was the right fit."
So Burton and her husband moved across the country in 2020. At the time, she admits, she had a limited view of what occupational therapy could be. "Initially, I wanted to do pediatrics and I thought I'd never do hands," she says. "But it's one of those things where you get in and go 'Wow - there's so much I can do with this!'"
Today, Burton's work at the VA involves primarily geriatric patients and a lot of hands, both of which she loves. She credits USD's comprehensive program and the diversity of faculty expertise for expanding her OT horizons.
"The faculty really encourage you to explore whatever fuels your fire," she says. "I was surprised at how much I enjoyed hand therapy. At USD, you learn more about yourself and find your passion areas while you are learning and having experiences."
As a recent graduate, Burton is delighted to have found in Sioux Falls both a professionally fulfilling job and a welcoming home. "Sometimes people wonder what we're doing here since we're not from here, but everyone has been so great," she says. "We made so many great connections through USD's community so we stuck around."
Burton says her OTD may not be the final rung in her educational ladder. But, thanks to the broader understanding she gained at USD, she says she feels well-equipped to keep climbing.