Active Professional Affiliations

• New York State Occupational Therapy Association
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
• Consortium of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators

Related/Past Work Experience

Program Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Bryant & Stratton College. 2014-2022. 
Founding Director of accredited associate degree OTA Program. Responsibilities include:

• Developed program design, philosophy, and curricula.
• Recruited, hired, trained, and supervised faculty.
• Instructed and supported faculty in course design and effective use of learning management systems.
• Wrote program policies.
• Recruited, admitted, and supported qualified students.​
• Represented the institution and program within the community.

• Managed, monitored, and reported compliance to Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and NYS Department of Education.
• Engaged in scholarship, presented at conferences.
• Facilitating  continual program growth and quality improvement

Teaching responsibilities included:

• OTAP-101 Introduction to OT
  
• OTAP-120 Human Occupations
  
• OTAP-135 Level I Fieldwork

• OTAP-201 Psychosocial Interventions
• OTAP-250 Adaptive Interventions
• OTAP-252 Professional Issues in OT 

Professor Emeritus, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. Erie Community College, OTA Program. 1996 - 2014.
Professor and academic fieldwork coordinator for accredited occupational therapy assistant program.

• Liaised with hospitals, clinics, schools, and community programs to develop and sustain high quality experiential fieldwork placements for all students. 
• Designed and taught courses focusing on mental health, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychology, assistive technology, and occupational therapy interventions. 
• Supported student retention and success through strength-based, person-centered student advisement.
• Initiated Western New York OT Fieldwork Consortium (www.OTfieldwork.net), a strategic group of regional OT academic programs intended to increase collaboration and minimize competition among academic programs competing for clinical fieldwork sites.​

Teaching responsibilities included:

• OT 101      Introduction to OT
• OT-102      Occupational Performance
• OT 105      OT Computer Applications
• OT 120      Human Occupations
• OT 130      OT Interventions

• OT 140      Professional Issues
  
• OT 150      Therapeutic Use of Self
  
• OT 200      Psychosocial Rehabilitation
  
• OT 219      Disabilities of Development and Aging
  

Additional responsibilities included:

• Academic Fieldwork Coordinator:

         -  OT 141      Level IA - Research in Community Practice
         -  OT 239      Level IIA Clinical Fieldwork- Psychosocial, School-Based, Developmental Disabilities, Pediatric
         -  OT 251      Level IIB Clinical Fieldwork- Physical Disabilities settings

• Member College Technology Committee
• Member College Mental Health Task Force
• Academic Adviser
• Faculty Chair of Department Appointments Committee
• Representing the college on various external committees and boards

Consultant. Baker Victory Services. 2011-2018.

• Consult in development of web-based transition intervention services.
• Train and support staff in application of person-centered planning and psychiatric rehabilitation readiness assessment and development.
• Assist in development of school computer accessibility plan.

Consultant. Rutgers State University of New Jersey, School of Health Related Professions, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. 2011.

• Advised and evaluated proposed program for Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
• Conducted on-site review of facilities, faculty, and clinical fieldwork sites. Reviewed program design and curricula. Interviewed key stakeholders (faculty, administrators, staff, clinical affiliates, funders)
• Submitted final evaluation with recommendations for approval of new academic degree program.

Research Analyst. University at Buffalo Center for Assistive Technology. 2002-2003.

• Assisted in the development of assessment instruments for a study on assistive technology, under the direction of Dr. James Lenker, Ph.D, OTR/L, ATP.
• Conducted semi-structured interviews with subjects.
• Contributed to data compilation and analysis.

Consultant/Placement Specialist. Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). 1996-1999.

•  Developed and implemented an assessment tool used to determine re-employment readiness of individuals with disabilities.
•  Provided individualized job placement services to difficult-to-place individuals.

Program Supervisor. Restoration Society, Incorporated. 1987-1996.

• Provided rehabilitation, case management and crisis intervention to a culturally diverse population of persons experiencing psychiatric disabilities, substance abuse, homelessness, and poverty.

• Hired, trained, evaluated and supervised staff.
• Developed intake procedures, performed client intakes, maintained client records.
• Conducted presentations at workshops, conferences, and classes locally and regionally.
• Designed and implemented a rehabilitation readiness assessment tool used in a supported employment program for individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
• Designed and implemented the Personal Development Program, which offers consumers structure, guidance, and support in goal setting activities, self-awareness, and environmental-awareness.
• Contributed to development of long-range and short-range agency goals and plans in conjunction with agency management/administration team.

Skills Training Specialist. Horizon Human Services, Boulevard Day Treatment Program. 1986-1987.

• Provided individual advisement and treatment planning among persons with psychiatric disabilities.
• Facilitated group and individual instruction in social and activities of daily living skills.
• Developed a horticulture therapy program that focused on decision-making, social skills, and leisure skills.
• Created a consumer-driven newsletter that focused on environmental awareness, self-awareness, and vocational skills.
• Established a consumer-run small business that manufactured and marketed custom items within the agency, focusing on vocational skills and awareness.

Rehabilitation Specialist. Restoration Society, Incorporated. 1984-1986.

• Provided direct service to persons with severe and persistent mental illness in a clubhouse setting.
• Developed and managed a horticulture training program and consumer-operated business projects.
• Assisted mental health consumers in publishing a monthly consumer-driven newsletter.

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