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RIDGELAND, Miss. — The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Holmes Community College’s Ridgeland Campus has been granted a 10-year certificate of accreditation, marking the maximum term possible for the health science program.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) issued the accreditation for the period of 2025-2035 following a comprehensive review of the program’s curriculum, facilities and student outcomes. The 10-year term is a significant milestone, reserved for programs that demonstrate full compliance with all educational standards.
“Monica and I are absolutely thrilled to have achieved a 10-year accreditation period!” said Erica Fitzhugh, OTA program director and instructor. “The self-study and on-site visit demanded a tremendous amount of time and energy, but we couldn’t have done it without the invaluable support of Penny Rogers, DHA, MAT, OTR/L, Dr. Amy Whittington, Allison DeWeese, Jovonna Parker and the other amazing CTE staff who assisted us throughout. This rigorous process has provided us with valuable insights, and we’re excited to apply what we’ve learned as we continue to grow and enhance the OTA program at Holmes, ensuring we produce skilled OTA practitioners who are ready to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare field.”
The news comes as Holmes continues to expand its footprint in the medical field. The college recently broke ground on a new state-of-the-art Allied Health Facility on the Ridgeland Campus. The building is designed to house the OTA program alongside nursing and surgical technology, providing modern labs and multipurpose spaces to accommodate the growing demand for healthcare professionals in Madison County.
“I am incredibly proud of our OTA program for earning a 10-year accreditation certification — a true reflection of excellence,” said Dr. Amy Whittington, vice president for career technical education. “This achievement speaks to the unwavering dedication and hard work of Program Director Erica Fitzhugh and Fieldwork Coordinator Monica McDonald along with the remarkable accomplishments of our students. The support from our Health Sciences Director Allison DeWeese and CTE staff was tremendous as well. As vice president of career technical programs, it’s an honor to support a program that consistently sets the standard for quality, commitment and student success.”
“This is a significant accomplishment that is earned through dedication, teamwork and an uncompromising standard of quality,” added Director of Health Science Programs Allison DeWeese. “We are so proud of the OTA instructors, Erica and Monica, and others who made this accomplishment possible.”
The Holmes OTA program is a five-semester course of study that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The program’s curriculum focuses on preparing students to work under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists, helping patients restore or maintain skills for daily living.
This accreditation ensures that students entering the program through 2035 will receive an education that meets the highest national standards for the profession. Applications for the
Applications for the OTA program opened Jan. 15 and will close on April 1.
For more information regarding admission requirements and the Ridgeland-based program, visit holmescc.edu/career-technical/occupational-therapy-assistant-technology/.
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IN THIS PHOTO: Pictured are the second-year OTA students with their instructors. They are (front row, left to right) Madison del Rio, Madison Hall, Ania Thomas-Albrecht and Madden Brewer, (back row, left to right) Instructor Erica Fitzhugh, Ally Purvis, Lawanda Parks, Ja’Kora Eskridge and Instructor Monica McDonald.
