Belmont alumna Dr. LaRae Murray is an alumna of Belmont’s Occupational Therapy program, and an assistant professor in the program. The identical twin grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee and began her academic journey as a first-generation student near home at Vanderbilt University, receiving her bachelor of arts in biology in 2009. By the time she graduated, she felt prepared to pursue a more challenging graduate program. “I struggled more academically in undergraduate coursework but figured out how to study by graduate school,” Murray said. She was drawn to a visit to Belmont due to its reputation, and the appeal continued throughout her interview process for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.
“I chose Belmont for its Christ-centered mission and for how welcome I felt on campus when I interviewed,” she said, noting her appreciation for the inviting nature of Belmont’s OT department and its smaller, more intimate class sizes.
Upon completing her coursework at Belmont, Murray began working in adult medical model settings full-time or as needed (PRN). After a few years as a healthcare professional, she began working in an outpatient hand therapy clinic. Not long after, an opportunity arose for a teaching position at Belmont’s Occupational Therapy School.
“I’ve always wanted to teach, and the timing was right for me to make the move,” said Murray. “There happened to be an open position that I had the right experience for at that time. I was thrilled to come back to Belmont to work alongside some of the faculty that taught me.”
The warm and welcoming atmosphere of Murray’s first visit to campus as a potential student stood the test of time. She was gladly received back on campus and experienced the same inviting impression that originally drew her to Belmont. Even Belmont’s location provided a sense of familiarity since she could remain close to family and friends.
Alongside instructing in both of Belmont’s MSOT and OTD programs, Dr. Murray currently works PRN in a local hospital with mostly inpatient rehab, sometimes acute care. As a professor, she loves to see her students experience “lightbulb” moments of understanding and teach concepts to each other within the classroom.
“I truly hope I instill a love for occupational therapy and empower students to be amazing therapists by being able to clinically reason and incorporate current evidence into practice,” said Murray. “I also hope to impart the importance of students advocating for their patients, themselves and the profession.”