St. Bonaventure University

Program Directors


Marasco, Suzanne

Marasco, Suzi 2023

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
Department of Occupational Therapy
ACADEMIC SCHOOL
DePerro School of Health Professions

TITLES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Chairperson of Occupational Therapy Program
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Assistant Professor
CONTACT
Office phone: (716) 375-2623
Send an email
OFFICE
Francis Hall 245
COURSES TAUGHT
  • OT 550. Health Conditions
  • OT 560. Evidence-Based Practice
  • OT 610. Service Delivery: Pediatrics
  • OT 630. Applied Research Methods
  • OT 690. OT Process: Older Adults
ACADEMIC DEGREES
  • Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership for Organizations, University of Dayton, 2022
  • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, 2016
  • Bachelor of Science in Health and Occupation, Thomas Jefferson University, 2016
OTHER EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Suzi has clinical experience working with individuals and families across the lifespan as an occupational therapy practitioner. While pediatrics has been her practice area of emphasis, she has worked with adults and older adults in both short- and long-term care practice settings for more than five years. Clinical areas of focus include feeding and eating, sensory integration approaches, and support for school-aged children with autism. 

Rooted in action research, her dissertation focused on examining the impact of mentorship related to professional outcomes for school-based occupational therapy practitioners. She developed an accompanying action plan, the Mentorship and Induction Program, which outlines a framework for mentorship to support occupational therapists in the school-based setting.

 
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Recipient of 2022 Keenan Grant for hosting Community Pediatric Screening Event: Milestones & Movements, October 2022
  • Research included in Poster Presentation: Interventions within the scope of OT practice to improve quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia at 2017 AOTA Annual National Conference: Philadelphia, PA
  • Co-author: Effectiveness of Interventions for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Major Neurocognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review (2017). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(5)
 
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

My teaching philosophy is rooted in constructivism, and begins with the acknowledgement that each adult learner brings with them a background of rich sociocultural experiences and a pool of prior knowledge that will shape their learning experiences. Because each student brings unique and valuable funds of knowledge to both the classroom and clinical settings, it is anticipated and valued that knowledge acquisition is extremely subjective for each learner. It is our role as faculty to shape a dynamic curriculum with embedded experimental learning opportunities that will provide each learner the opportunity to highlight their strengths. 

I strive to facilitate an engaging, respectful, and inclusive learning environment to inspire the future practitioners of our profession, and I value the opportunity to learn with our students by fostering their unique perspectives. My hope is to share my passion for lifelong learning with my students, and to empower them to become pragmatic, evidence-based, and compassionate occupational therapists.

 
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS/PROJECTS
  • Dissertation in Practice (DiP): Navigating the Deep End: Examining Supportive Practices for School-Based Occupational Therapy Practitioners
  • Exploring the Lived Experiences of First-Generation Master's-level Occupational Therapy Students
 
PERSONAL INTERESTS/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
  • United Way of the Bradford Area
  • Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association: District IV Treasurer
  • Alpha Eta Society
LINKS