Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
Coordinator of Early Assurance Pathways
Level I Fieldwork Coordinator

Office phone: (716) 375-2176
Send an email

Francis Hall 204

• OT 500. Discovering Occupational Therapy
• OT 530. Kinesiology for Occupational Engagement
• OT 600. Life Occupations: Adults
• OT 620. Service Delivery: Adults
• OT 640. Issues and Trends in Occupational Therapy Service Delivery
• OT 680. OT Process: Adults
• OT 700. Fieldwork Seminar

• Bachelor of Sports Medicine, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, 2009
• Master of Occupational Therapy, D’Youville College, 2012
• Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate, University of Montana, Anticipated graduation Spring 2025

Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy, 2019

I have been licensed as a clinical occupational therapist since 2012. The focus of my career has been on intervention for the adult population in inpatient, outpatient, and skilled nursing facility settings. My focus on the adult population has led to experience with a multitude of physical disability diagnoses including emphasis on upper quadrant evaluation and treatment following orthopedic injury and surgical intervention.

I have experience with providing custom orthotics, recommending adaptive equipment and devices, completing custom wheelchair evaluations, and treating both chronic and acute lymphedema in the upper and lower extremities.

I have also had the opportunity to consult with many industrial sites in the Bradford, Pennsylvania area to implement and guide ergonomic programming to decrease worker injury and improve job-site safety and quality of life.

I am currently utilizing my clinical day to work locally at the InTandem DayHab Program where I consult on a monthly wheelchair clinic. This has been a great opportunity to serve the rural community of Allegany, New York, while also being able to offer current OT students a chance to meet and interact with this special population. 

• Transform 2023: American Association of Colleges of Nursing Conference
  • Poster Presentation: Brave Space Discussion: An Interprofessional Collaborative
• 2024 Interprofessional Education Poster Fair
  • Poster Presentation: Brave Space Discussion: An Interprofessional Collaborative
• Doctoral Capstone Project, Anticipated completion April 2025
  • In-process design and implementation of program development: Pre-Occupational Therapy Peer Mentorship

As an occupational therapy educator, my teaching philosophy centers on cultivating a dynamic learning environment that fosters critical thinking, leadership, and advocacy. I believe that transformative education should extend beyond a traditional classroom model to empower students to become compassionate practitioners, innovative leaders, and advocates for the field of occupational therapy. 

Through my role as the Coordinator of Early Assurance Pathways, I have come to view peer-mentorship as a cornerstone of growth for future and current students in our program. By encouraging students to engage in mutual learning, there are enhanced professional skills, increased confidence, and a strengthened ability to work effectively in interprofessional teams. I value providing opportunities for interprofessional learning through collaboration with the nursing and physician assistant programs as we facilitate discussions on ethical decision-making through use of the Brave Space Discussions curriculum.

I believe that preparing leaders in occupational therapy must include a commitment to lifelong learning; an understanding of how to create a supportive and inclusive therapeutic environment; and by knowing effective ways to advocate for the progression of the field. I strive to model my commitment to lifelong learning by staying informed on emerging research, technological advancements, and evolving clinical practices and incorporating these aspects into my curriculum wherever possible. I model the importance of an inclusive therapeutic environment through the recognition that each student in the program brings unique experiences and strengths, varied learning styles, diverse cultural backgrounds, and countless perspectives that should be accommodated and highlighted to empower all to reach their full potential. I am committed to preparing students to champion the field of occupational therapy. By incorporating discussions on health policy, social determinants of health, and the importance of addressing systemic barriers to care students are able to learn how they can become voices for change by promoting equitable access to healthcare and extending the reach of our profession. 

By rooting my teaching philosophy in my passion for mentorship, leadership, and advancement of the field, I aim to inspire my students to see themselves not just as future occupational therapy practitioners, but also as transformative leaders and advocates who will shape the future of the profession. 

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Member, DePerro School of Health Professions
• Brave Space Discussion Curriculum Planning, Interprofessional Collaboration with Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies
• Peer-Mentorship Program Development

• Zonta Club of Bradford
  • An organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls.