David M. Merlo, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH

Phone: 716 380-0630
Email: [email protected]  

• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) NBCOT #AA545673
• New York State OTA License #001461-1
• Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) PRA #138628
• American Occupational Therapy Association Roster of Honors (ROH)  

Title: Managing Director
Institution: Restoration Society, Inc 
Starting Date: June 2022

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Vision

I am an innovative servant-leader, driven by the hope of enabling all people the opportunity to improve their health and wellness, to live self-directed lives, to be integrated and contributing members of their communities, and to reach their full potential (SAMHSA Working Definition of Recovery, 12/10/11). Through my experience, skills, and passions, I strive to realize that vision through a variety of roles including educator, administrator, consultant, and advocate. I lead by example, by relationship, and by partnership and collaboration.

Education

• Masters of Science in Adult Education.  Emphasis on education and support services for adults with disabilities. Education Foundations Department, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY. 2006.
• Advanced Graduate Certificate.  Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology. Occupational Therapy Department, University at Buffalo, NY. 2003.
• BA Health and Human Services. University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. Social Sciences Interdisciplinary, Major in community mental health. 1994.
  
• Certificate Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, off campus. 1989.
• AAS Occupational Therapy. Erie Community College, Buffalo, NY. 1984.
• AAS Horticulture- Landscape Design. Alfred State College, Alfred, NY. 1979.

David Merlo is an approachable, knowledgeable, and extremely dedicated member of the Occupational Therapy profession. He values the importance of keeping teaching techniques, treatment approaches, and the use of technology current, and he adapts his lessons as needed. David is the type of employee who goes the extra mile for not only his students, but for colleagues as well. He takes the initiative to develop programs that assist his students to successfully integrate into the clinical field of OT within our community. He is professional, and is able to incorporate humor into the workplace. David Merlo is always a pleasure to work with, and whenever his name is mentioned in our field, it is with the utmost respect.

Committees and Projects

• Board Director/Vice-President - Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation,  provides the first and only school in Haiti with four-year degree programs in both Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. 3/2021 - present.
• Board Director - Caravan of Life-USA, provides expert advice to The Recovery House, a mental health recovery organization, operating in Karachi Pakistan. 7-1-24 - present.
• Board Director – American Occupational Therapy Association. (7/2019 – 6/2022).
• Academic Liaison – Helping Hands and Beyond, an organization that operates health and rehabilitation clinics in Haiti. 1/2016 – present. 
• OTA Representative - AOTA Representative Assembly. (2016 - 6/2019)     
• Advisory Council Member - Academy of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery.
• Committee Member - Education and Training Committee, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
• Board Director - Restoration Society, Inc., a community mental health agency (1995-2022).
• IT and Social Media Coordinator - New York State Occupational Therapy Association.

Transition-age youth summer project: building career portfolios. Rochester Regional Center for Independent Living. Learn more at: http://www.rcil.org

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