Susan (Sue) Coppola, MS, OT/L, OTD, FAOTA, recently retired from her role as Professor in the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy after more than 25 years at UNC. Though her roles in the classroom and clinical settings are primarily behind her, Coppola is committed to continuing to advance the field by supporting future occupational therapists and occupational scientists through the creation of the Virginia Davis Coppola Occupational Therapy Scholarship.
Initial Steps Toward Building an OT Career
Coppola came to UNC in 1983 to pursue a MS in Occupational Therapy to pursue a career as a pediatric occupational therapist. After graduating from the program, she began her first job at Duke Medical Center, where she worked for 11 years in various settings throughout the medical center.
“During that time, I found myself intrigued by the lives of the older adults I worked with,” said Coppola. “In their narratives, it became clear that quality of life hinged on occupations – having meaningful things to do. Occupations were not just ends in themselves, but were vital for social connections, health and joy.”
However, Coppola realized that medical settings did not often foster “doing” in ways that enhanced patient lives and their health. This, paired with policy and operational transitions within the healthcare system in North Carolina, left Coppola with an unexpected opportunity to consider – applying for a faculty position within the program she graduated from a decade earlier.
“I did not imagine leaving my job until I was encouraged to apply for a faculty position at UNC, and upon reviewing the philosophy and curriculum of the program, it seemed to be a fit for me – especially with a chance to teach about aging,” she said. “I loved the prospect of preparing budding occupational therapists to have the strengths, skills, and confidence to make meaningful change in their clients’ lives, regardless of the situation of their practice.”
Research and Scholarship: Progression Over the Decades
Coppola notes that her research and scholarship emphasis has evolved with each decade of her life. In her 20’s, she taught in special education and then became an occupational therapist. In her 30’s, her focus was clinical practice and management of services. As she reached her 40’s and found her stride as an educator at UNC, Coppola shifted her research focus to aging.
This time was spent researching feasibility and effects of preventive home visits for older adults, publishing articles about advanced practice in aging, developing a National Board Certification in Gerontology with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and creating interprofessional programs focused on aging for OT students. However, even more impactful on her work during this time was her direct experience with declines and loss of older adults in her life.
“I learned so much from their grace and journeys, and it indeed seemed more of a lesson than I had ever learned through my professional work in aging,” said Coppola. “My mother, in particular, was teaching me until her final breath, and inspired our naming a scholarship in her honor.”
In her 50’s, Coppola’s research shifted again to focus on international work and experiences. She served as the U.S. Delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) as well as the WFOT Program Coordinator for Research. These opportunities opened the doors for learning about OT practice and culture around the world, building valuable connections and collaborating on a global scale.
Finally, in her 60’s and as her teaching career began drawing to a close, Coppola spent her time integrating her interests in her research – in particular, she has been involved with a study of interprofessional teamwork for older adults receiving chemotherapy, led by Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, in UNC’s School of Nursing. Coppola has also continued researching arts- and humanities-based learning for health professionals, leading to publications describing impacts of arts-based pedagogy for OT students.
Reflections on the Evolution of OS/OT Over the Years
When she began her OT education at UNC, the profession was unregulated and the number of occupational therapists were few within the state of North Carolina. In the decades since, Coppola recognizes growth in every way – the profession has developed evidence and expertise to address evolving societal needs, particularly for people experiencing age-related decline, mental health challenges, homelessness, neurodivergence, premature birth, displacement, cancer, trauma, stigma and other challenges related to the social determinants of health.
She notes that occupational science, which is still considered to be a “young” academic discipline, has deepened and broadened understanding of the complexity of occupation. “Occupational science has helped the practice of occupational therapy see the inseparable nature of context – culture, justice, beliefs, time, power – on human doing,” she said. “Additionally, the study of occupation beyond the direct services of OTs has drawn attention to meso- and macro-levels of society; for example, unemployment patterns, food insecurity and occupational injustices.”
Time Well Spent within UNC’s Division of OS/OT
While Coppola has seen her work recognized at the division, department and university levels – she received UNC’s Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Award in 2023 – she shares that one of her biggest accomplishments has been building interdisciplinary connections that have benefitted student education.
“It has been amazing to engage with colleagues in arts and humanities as well as those in health professions across campus,” she said. “I am pleased with how we have fostered an intellectual climate for collaboration and innovation, as well as many interdisciplinary encounters for students.”
Within the division, Coppola served as the OT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for 25 years. While a challenging tasks, it brought her much satisfaction to make connections within the OT community, between students and practitioners, and among students as they integrated classroom and practice-based learning.
Coppola also emphasizes the impact her colleagues have made on her time in the Division of OS/OT. “My colleagues in the division are brilliant, kind and passionate, and I have learned so much from each of them,” she said. “And the students have been the breath of my existence – I cannot put into words how wonderful it has been to get to know them as magnificent human beings. I am fortunate to have been part of their lives for a time, and I know they are now providing competent and caring occupational therapy to others.”
Continued Commitment: The Virginia Davis Coppola Occupational Therapy Scholarship
Though she has retired, Coppola continues to show commitment to both the field of occupational therapy and the Division of OS/OT at UNC. She has been diligently planning the annual conference for the Society for the Study of Occupation:USA, taking place in Durham in October 2024. The theme is ‘The Art of Occupation: Creativity, Critical Theory, and Social Transformation’.
Looking to support future occupational therapists, Coppola and her husband, Dr. Michael Tilson, have established the Virginia Davis Coppola Occupational Therapy Scholarship. The scholarship provides support for second year occupational therapy students in the Division of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy who demonstrate a commitment to justice-based, occupation-centered, and community-oriented practice with older adults. Justice-based occupational therapy emphasizes inclusion and social justice in practice with older adults, by addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for the rights and well-being of marginalized individuals in this demographic group.
This scholarship is offered as a lasting tribute to Coppola’s late mother, Virginia Davis Coppola. Her profound wisdom and quiet generosity shone in her care for people suffering from loneliness, poverty and societal inequities. Virginia Davis Coppola was inspired by work in Chicago Settlement Houses in the 1940s, the very place where the profession of occupational therapy was founded decades before. She gave tirelessly to friends and family and in her career as a social worker for abused and special needs children in foster care. She was an avid volunteer with the Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte and the League of Women Voters. With an unshakable belief in the profound worth of every individual, she advocated for the rights of individuals and families and fought for democracy and socially just policies. Her grace as she aged was an inspiration for the Coppola family.
The purpose of this scholarship is to continue Virginia Davis Coppola’s influence and values by cultivating future leaders in occupational therapy who passionately champion the voices of older people who are marginalized, and to advance the cause of occupational justice for aging individuals and their families. To make a gift, click here.
When asked for a final reflection on her career and hopes for the future of the OT program at UNC, Coppola shares that she feels incredibly fortunate for the roles she has played during her time in the division – past, present and future.