Duquesne University | Rangos School of Health Sciences

Through University and Community Partnerships, our mission is to demonstrate the viability of occupational therapy services that address the comprehensive health and wellness needs of our community with a holistic, innovative, occupation-based approach to improve the quality of life for the community across the life span. Further, it is our mission to be effective change agents in the community, developing partnerships that are community built. These collaborative community-based interdisciplinary programs will be developed to address specific, community-identified needs and will reflect "best practice" in occupational therapy.

To Promote University-Community partnerships which build on each others strengths to develop their roles as change agents for improving the overall health of our local community.
To create healthier communities and to overcome complex societal needs and problems through University-Community collaborative problem-solving as equal partners, building on the assets, strengths and capacities of each.
To developing "Best Practice" in community-based (Allied Heath) occupational therapy practices in equal collaboration with community partners to create learning opportunities for students which foster the equitable exchange of knowledge and ideas between our community and Duquesne University.
To develop Best Practice through equal collaboration with community partners to:
a) Eliminate barriers to accessing community health care services, especially wellness, and prevention programs
b) Focus on needs of under-served populations
c) Develop culturally sensitive programs
Provide opportunities for scholarship, teaching, learning, service delivery for the faculty and students of Duquesne University’s Rangos School of Health Sciences in communities and partner institutions serving the poor and marginalized.

Wellness through empowerment
Community mobilization
Community-driven strategies that will lead to best practices
Establishment of "best practices" in community-based Occupational Therapy
Applied research that addresses community needs, health disparities, social determinants of health programs that are sustainable
Institutionalize success
Outcomes through coalition building within the Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University and our local community
Training of Occupational Therapists and other health professionals
   o Training for cultural competency
   o Training for overcoming economic barriers
   o Training for overcoming social-cultural issues
Building coalitions, bringing stake holders to the table including citizens, community leaders, university administration, faculty and students, business owners.
Build capacity to evaluate best practice in collaboration with community agencies