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)
    • Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association #138628
  • American Occupational Therapy Association Roster of Honors (ROH)  

Vision

I believe in the power of hope, purpose, and human potential. As a servant-leader, I am inspired by the vision that every person—regardless of circumstance—should have the opportunity to improve their health and well-being, live a self-directed life, belong in community, and thrive. This belief, grounded in the SAMHSA Working Definition of Recovery (2011), has guided every step of my journey.

Through decades of experience in education, mental health, and rehabilitation, I’ve learned that real change happens through connection—by teaching, mentoring, building programs, and walking alongside others. Whether I’m serving as an educator, consultant, or advocate, I lead with purpose, compassion, and a deep commitment to partnership and collaboration.
​
This is more than a career—it's a calling to help others discover what’s possible.

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

Merits

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  • President's Award. New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA), President. November 2025.
  • Jeannette Bair Writer’s Award. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) April, 2021.
  • Merit Award for Service. New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA), Executive Board. October, 2019.
  • Award of Merit for Service. NYSOTA, Executive Board. November 2017.
  • Professor Emeritus. Erie Community College Board of Trustees. August 24, 2016.
  • Service Commendation. AOTA, OTA Representative, Representative Assembly, 2015-2016. April 7, 2016.
  • Roster of Honors. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). April 5, 2014.
  • Award of Excellence. AOTA Awarded for "promoting occupational therapy in community mental health". April 5, 2014.
  • Service Commendation. AOTA, Ad Hoc Committee on Health Care Reform, 2011-2013. April 5, 2014.
  • Certificate of Recognition. New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA), Executive Board. October 23, 2011.
  • Award of Merit for Service. NYSOTA, Executive Board. October 2009.
  • COTA Achievement Award. NYSOTA, Executive Board. October 2005. 
  • Award of Merit for Service. NYSOTA, Executive Board. October 2003. 
  • NYSOTA Graduate Scholarship.  Niagara Frontier District of NYSOTA. 2003
  • RSA Federal Grant Recipient. Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education. A $9300 educational grant to fund my graduate studies in assistive and rehabilitation technology at the University at Buffalo. December 2000.  
  • Certificate of Merit for Service. Niagara Frontier District- NYSOTA. April 2000.
  • Professional of the Year Award. Action for Mental Health, Inc. November 1994
  • Alpha Sigma Lambda. Lambda Chapter, National Honor Society. State University of New York at Buffalo. 1994.
  • Graduated Cum Laude and achieved Dean's List status all semesters at University of Buffalo. Also received Social Sciences Department honors- Graduate of Highest Distinction. 1994.
  • Edna Aimes Scholarship. Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. 1992.
  • Graduate of Highest Distinction. Also received Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Erie Community College. 1984.

Presentations

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  • Merlo, David, MS, COTA/L, CPRP (October 7, 2025). Self-Care for Advocates: Evidence-Based Wellness Self-Management Strategies. AOTA RISE Pathways Retreat, Bethesda.
  • Merlo, David, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH, Nawotniak, Stephen, MS, OTR/L, NYCPS (November 8, 2023). Teaching Skills is a Skill. 2023 NYAPRS Recovery and Rehabilitation Academy, Albany.
  • Merlo, David, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH; Olson, Linda, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Linkie, Christine, PhD, OTR/L, CPRP (December 3, 2022). Standing Out and Fitting In: Articulating OT's Distinct Value within Recovery-Oriented Community Mental Health Systems. AOTA Mental Health Specialty Conference, Columbus. 
  • Merlo, David, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH; Gitlow, Lynn, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP; Battistella, Debra Battistella, MS, OTR/L; Hays, Maggie, MS, OTR/L; Bergé, Christy, OTS (April 2, 2022). Maximizing Mental Health, Well-Being, & Quality of Life on College Campuses - An Opportunity for OT. AOTA Inspire Conference, San Antonio. 
  • Merlo, David (April 22, 2021). OTA Panel: Emerging OTA Career Pathways - Shifting Practice Beyond Episodic Disease Management. Panel Presentation at AOTA Inspire Conference, Virtual.
  • Merlo, David; Gitlow, Lynn, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP (April 8, 2021). College Student Mental Health: An Opportunity for OT. Short Course 301 at AOTA Inspire Conference, Virtual.
  • Merlo, David; Cavanaugh Sharon (September 15, 2017). Utilizing Website Building to Develop Transition Readiness and Self-Advocacy with Youth. New York State Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS),  35th Annual Conference, Kerhonkson, NY.
  • Merlo, David; Cavanaugh Sharon (June 26, 2017). Utilizing Website Building to Develop Transition Readiness and Self-Advocacy with Youth. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) Wellness and Recovery Summit, Atlanta.
  • Merlo, David; Tilton, Melissa; Christenson, Barb; Goulding, Bill (March 30, 2017). OTAs: Celebrating Our History, Ready for Our Future. Short Course at AOTA Conference, Philadelphia.
  • Merlo, David; Linkie, Christine, MS, OTR/L, CPRP; Sullivan-Soydan, Anne, ScD, CPRP (March 29, 2017). Recovery and Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Updating OT Mental Health Practice. Full-day Institute at AOTA Conference, Philadelphia.
  • Merlo, David; Gitlow, Lynn, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP (November 4, 2016). Every Day Technology Interventions for People with Serious Mental Illness. Workshop presentation at New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA) Conference, Syracuse, NY.
  • Merlo, David; Gitlow, Lynn, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP (April 7, 2016). Using Assistive Technology With People Who Have Serious Mental Illness. Short Course at AOTA Conference, Chicago.
  • Merlo, David; Lazzarini, Ivelisse, OTD/OTR/L; Champagne, Tina, OTD/OTR/L; Burkhardt, Ann, OTD,OTR/L, FAOTA; Lehman, Regina, MS, OTR/L; Torcivia, Elizabeth, PhD, OTR; Esposito, Caitlin, MSOT, OTR/L (April 6, 2016). The Road to Relevancy in Mental Health: Discussing essentials for OT/OTA accreditation, curriculum, fieldwork, clinical practice and billing. Day Workshop at AOTA Conference, Chicago.
  • Merlo, David; Cavanaugh, Sharon, BS, OTR/L (October 1, 2015). School Work-Based Learning - Mental health and the use of Technology. New York State Rehabilitation Association Summit and Transition Age Youth Institute. Saratoga Springs, NY.
  • Merlo, David (May 15, 2014). Guest Lecture: Utilizing Web Technology as a Creative Intervention in Occupational Therapy. Rush University Medical Center, Occupational Therapy Department, Chicago.

Publications

Professional Affiliations

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

Work Experience

Managing Director, Restoration Society, Inc., Buffalo, NY
Restoration Society, Inc. (RSI)  is a peer operated community mental health agency offering recovery-based mental health services in Western New York. Responsibilities include:
Strategic Planning:
  • Assist with the development and oversight of strategic planning (Board of Directors and Agency).  
  • Assist in planning and inspiring set priorities which will determine the focus of energy and resources.
  • Strengthen operations, ensure employees and other stakeholders are working toward a common goal, establish agreement around intended outcomes, assess and adjust the direction in response to a changing environment.
Special Projects:
  • Organize, lead, and help execute company projects.
  • Identify and develop innovative opportunities and new collaborations.  
  • Keeps the pulse on upcoming trends in the field and ensures the agency is well positioned relative to the environment. 
  • Oversee diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 
Quality Assurance:
  • Orient and train workforce throughout the organization.
  • Support directors, managers and middle managers to achieve outcomes.
  • Develop and implement methods to solicit customer and employee feedback regarding satisfaction.  Work with customer and staff teams to implement corrective methods.
  • Develop and implement methods to evaluate agency and employee compliance with procedures and policies to ensure the agency maintains the highest level of integrity and quality in service delivery and to minimize risk and liability.
Program Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Bryant & Stratton College. 2014-2022. 
Founding Director of the college’s Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) associate degree program, which achieved full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in December 2016. Under my leadership, the program met rigorous national standards and received commendation for its comprehensive curriculum, student-centered approach, and commitment to quality improvement.​
  • Program Development & Accreditation: Conceived and implemented the complete program design, including educational philosophy, curriculum structure, and course content, in accordance with ACOTE standards. Successfully guided the program through initial accreditation, resulting in a 5-year award with commendations.
  • Faculty Recruitment & Development: Recruited, hired, trained, and mentored diverse faculty. Provided ongoing support in curriculum design, instructional delivery, and effective integration of learning management systems (LMS) to ensure instructional excellence.
  • Student-Centered Program Management: Directed recruitment, admissions, advising, and retention strategies to build a strong student cohort and support diverse learners in achieving academic and professional success. ​
  • Policy & Compliance Oversight: Authored academic and operational policies to ensure program integrity. Maintained regulatory compliance with ACOTE and New York State Education Department through robust documentation, monitoring, and continuous improvement processes. 
  • Institutional & Community Engagement: Represented the OTA program in institutional planning, professional organizations, and community partnerships to enhance program visibility, alignment with workforce needs, and clinical fieldwork opportunities. 
  • Academic Scholarship & Dissemination: Engaged in ongoing professional development and presented at regional and national conferences to advance knowledge in occupational therapy education and recovery-based practices.
  • 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.
Served as professor and academic fieldwork coordinator in a long-standing, accredited OTA program, blending teaching excellence with strategic leadership in fieldwork education. Recognized for advancing student success, forging strong clinical partnerships, and leading collaborative regional initiatives.
  • Fieldwork Leadership: Developed and sustained high-quality clinical partnerships with hospitals, mental health centers, schools, and community-based programs to ensure diverse, occupation-centered fieldwork placements for all students.
  • Curriculum & Instruction: Designed and taught core OTA courses with a focus on mental health, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychology, assistive technology, and therapeutic intervention strategies—grounding instruction in real-world application and person-centered care.
  • Student Success & Advisement: Provided individualized, strength-based academic and career advisement that contributed to student retention, growth, and professional readiness.
  • Collaborative Innovation: Founded the Western New York OT Fieldwork Consortium (www.OTfieldwork.net), a strategic regional alliance of academic OT and OTA programs focused on enhancing collaboration, standardizing best practices, and reducing competition for limited fieldwork placements.
  • 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 Development and Aging
  • Additional responsibilities included:
    • Academic Fieldwork Coordinator:
    • 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. Rasmussen College. 2019.
  • Served as an industry expert consultant in the development of a new, ACOTE-aligned Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program designed for a hybrid distance-learning model.
  • Provided strategic guidance and subject matter expertise to ensure curricular integrity, regulatory compliance, and instructional innovation.
Consultant. Baker Victory Services. 2011-2018.
  • Consulted in development of web-based transition intervention services.
  • Trained and supported staff in person-centered planning and psychiatric rehabilitation readiness assessment/development.
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 to meet with state and ACOTE requirements.
  • 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.
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR). 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.