30 years of distinguished service

After 30 years in the Brenau occupational therapy program, from being a part of its founding in 1995 to shaping the lives and careers of her students, some of whom are current faculty members, Professor M. Irma Alvarado, OT/L, Ph.D., retired in August 2025.

Alvarado, who is originally from Galveston, Texas, began in OT after inspiration from her late brother, who was also a healthcare professional.

"He said, 'You need to be an OT, they have fun!'" Alvarado says. "And it is fun, because you can't completely define it, however, to me, it's been the best thing in terms of using my psychology background, and the ability to teach both clients and students. I get to look at each person and ask them what they want to do, or how they want to do something and figure out how to help them individually."

She moved to Georgia in the mid-1990s, working in hospitals in Macon and Atlanta, before deciding she wanted to work in schools. She contracted with Hall County Schools for several years before learning about Brenau. She was the fourth professor hired, alongside Barbara Schell, Ph.D., OT/L, Robin Underwood, Ph.D., OT/L, and H. Keith Brown, Ph.D., as the OT program was formed.

It's just been such a good working relationship with everyone, the work my colleagues all do for the students here is extremely rewarding.

M. Irma Alvarado, OT/L, PH.D.

Several students eventually became colleagues.

"I met Dr. Alvarado in the fall of 1995 when I began working in the Hall County Schools. I was an occupational therapy assistant at the time and Dr. Alvarado became one of my supervising registered occupational therapists within Hall County," Assistant Professor Celeste Alexander, OTR/L, BU '99, says. "I feel so blessed to have had Dr. Alvarado in my life since 1995 and even more fortunate that I was able to learn and draw from her passion as an occupational therapist."

Brenau's OT program offers a master's degree, doctoral degree, a post-graduate certificate, and pre-occupational therapy tracks for undergraduate students studying health sciences, psychology or dance. The program also operates the Center for Productive Living, offering free occupational therapy services for all ages in Gainesville and Norcross, and collaborates with several nonprofits. The program maintains accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

"Our former students, our alumni, are very talented women and men all over the United States and in Mexico," Alvarado says. "We have a fair amount of OTs who also go out and start businesses, and I think that speaks very well for the kind of students who seek Brenau for OT."

Alvarado specialized in early intervention, autism and sensory integration, but said working on the annual Yucatán, Mexico, trips helped her evolve in the international OT field. She spearheaded the trips for nearly a decade.

"We never went with the attitude that the U.S. way is the best way, we would go with the attitude that they are teaching us," Alvarado says.

Before traveling to the Yucatán, OT students in the Global Health Perspectives class work with counterparts from the Universidad Autonomá de Yucatán to study healthcare differences across their two cultures and learn from each other.

"Dr. Alvarado's contributions span every level of our profession, from pioneering the international fieldwork program in Mexico that has opened doors for countless students to experience global perspectives on occupational therapy, to her tireless advocacy work at local, state, national and international levels," Associate Professor Jennifer Allison, PPOTD, WC '92, BU '03, says. "Her scholarship and service have elevated our entire profession."

Two weeks before her 50th birthday, Alvarado earned her Ph.D. in Children and Family Development from the University of Georgia in 2005 after encouragement from then-Provost Helen Ray. She earned associate and bachelor's degrees in 1976 and 1982 from the University of Texas at Galveston and her master's in psychology in 1990 from the University of Houston - Clear Lake.

Alvarado was named a Professor Emerita in 2025. In her retirement, she will finish pre-scheduled conference presentations in the Caribbean and Thailand, and then take a year to relax before deciding on her next steps.

In the meantime, Alvarado established a scholarship for students attending the annual Yucatán trip. Donations can be made to the scholarship here or by contacting the development office.

"It's just been such a good working relationship with everyone, the work my colleagues all do for the students here is extremely rewarding. You have autonomy and opportunity here to do things in a unique setting," Alvarado says. "I'm hopeful for the future of Brenau, knowing the people I've worked with here and the support we've had. I really liked coming to work every day, but it's time."

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