OTD Faculty & Alumni Advancing the Profession
Our post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) faculty and alumni continue to elevate the profession through national presentations, international scholarship, and peer-reviewed publications. Their work reflects the strength, visibility, and impact of our program across healthcare, education, and community settings.
Featured at AOTA INSPIRE 2026 – Anaheim, California
Multiple OTD faculty and alumni were selected to present at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) INSPIRE 2026 Annual Conference & Expo in Anaheim, California, one of the profession’s most prestigious national gatherings. Their accepted presentations highlight the breadth and depth of scholarship within our program:
- Exploring the Perspectives of OTs in Supporting Student Mental Health: A Phenomenological Approach
Jennifer Denise Cavadas, OTD, OTR/L
- Play With Purpose: Enhancing Caregiver-Child Interactions Through Community-Based Therapeutic Playgroups
Katie Everson, OTD, OTR/L
- OT’s Role in Reducing Rehospitalization: Improving Outcomes, Reducing Costs, & Enhancing Lives
Cathleen Johnson, OTD, OTR/L, FMIOTA, FNAP
- Evaluating the Efficacy of a Neuro-Affirming Tier 1 Fine Motor Intervention Program in Kindergarten
Farrah Matta, OTD, MEd, OTR/L
- Identifying Barriers to Implementing Sensory Strategies in a Classroom Setting
Allison Flowers Niemiec, OTD, OTR/L
- Examining the Relationship Between Burnout & Career Commitment of OT Practitioners in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Karissa Marie Schmid, OTD, OTR/L
- Movement Breaks for Education: A Continuing Education Course for Elementary School Teachers
Donna J. Smith, OTD, OTR/L, MEd
- Scribing to Success: Investigating the Effectiveness of Handwriting Programs at the First-Grade Level
Jessica Wyckoff, OTD, OTR/L
Selection to present at AOTA reflects the national recognition and scholarly excellence of our faculty and alumni.
State & Specialty Conference Recognition
- Milestones National Autism Conference – Cleveland, Ohio – June 2025
Sensory Processing Disorder: What Is It? Practical Strategies to Use at Home
Shannon Kerns, MOT, OTR/L
- Pennsylvania State OT Conference – October 2025
Implementing Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Settings
Lori Glancey, OTD, OTR/L
- New York State OT Conference – October 2025
Movement Breaks for Education: A Continuing Education Program
Donna J. Smith, OTD, OTR/L, MEd
- AOTA Children & Youth Specialty Conference – December 2025
Parents' Perspectives on the Screen Time Habits of Children
Melissa Vigil, OTD, OTR/L
International Scholarship
- World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress–Bangkok, Thailand
Student Perceptions of Preparedness for Level II Fieldwork in the Acute Care Setting: A Pilot Study
Tracy Bentley-Root, OT, DHSc, MS, OTR
Program Director and Associate Professor
- World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress – Bangkok, Thailand
Occupational Therapy Substance Misuse Relapse Prevention in Ankaase Methodist Hospital, Ghana
Rae Ann Smith, M.Ed, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Published Scholarship
- OTD alumna Dr. Lindsey Paige Warren, OTD, OTR/L, and faculty member Julie L. Watson, PhD, OTR/L, published “Childhood occupational injustice: A phenomenological study of boys living in an institutional setting” in the Journal of Occupational Science (published online October 16, 2025).
Through presentations, publications, and professional leadership, our OTD faculty and alumni are shaping the future of occupational therapy—improving outcomes for individuals, families, and communities locally, nationally, and globally.
