I am the founding program director for occupational therapy and associate professor at Widener University in the College of Health and Human Services. I have over twenty years of experience teaching in both graduate level occupational therapy and occupational therapy assisting programs. In addition, I have served in the role as academic fieldwork coordinator.
My clinical experience includes primarily acute care, outpatient services, and trauma settings where working with people recovering from traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. My most recent clinical work has been mentoring occupational therapy students in the pro-bono, student-run Chester Community Physical Therapy Clinic, serving the Chester community in a partnership with Philadelphia University Occupational Therapy Program. I have also been co-investigator on two Nexus Learning Grants received to support the pro bono clinic work.
Additionally, I have recently been engaged in a home health program working exclusively with people with dementia and their caregivers. Prior to teaching I have served as a director of rehabilitation in a city-based hospital in Philadelphia. I have also been very active with professional organizations and served on the board of directors of Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) and as treasurer for POTA District V.
My past teaching responsibilities include assessment and intervention for adult populations, clinical reasoning, functional neuroanatomy, evidence based practice and practice platform seminars. My doctoral work included studying how Readiness Assessment Tests (RATs) promoted student’s reading, completion of pre class assignments and preparation for class. This included looking at motivation of the student, better preparedness and participation in class and overall better outcomes in classroom performance.
American Occupational Therapy Association, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
The expansion of health science programs in the College of Health & Human Services and School of Nursing is bolstering Widener’s interprofessional learning approach that has set the programs apart and put students on track to becoming competent and compassionate clinicians.
The School of Human Service Professions is expanding with the launch of the new Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Beginning in June, the three-year doctoral program will include hands-on, experiential learning, clinical research, personal faculty mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration.