Through creative research, scholarship and best practices, Katz School Occupational Therapy Doctorate faculty and students, in collaboration with other leading scholars, are pushing the boundaries of their profession by tackling societal, cultural and health challenges—and sharing their vision on the national stage at major conferences.
“Our students are leading the way in transforming lives and communities,” said Dr. Amiya Waldman-Levi, clinical associate professor and director of scholarship and research for occupational therapy at the Katz School. “It’s a testament to the expansion, growth and sustainability of our scholarship and research program which is built on enduring collaborations among faculty, students and key scholars.”
In collaboration with faculty mentors and other academic partners, 12 OT Doctorate students presented the following 11 diverse and impactful projects, showcasing creative approaches to service, research, education and professional advocacy.
Enhancing Palliative Care Through OT
A scoping review led by Melanie Evangelista, clinical assistant professor in the OT Doctorate, and doctoral students Rachel Celestin, Tamara Henry, Chastity Smith-Brown and Tameka Sumter, explored the role of occupational therapy in palliative care. Their evidence-based project, which will be presented at the AOTA Inspire national conference in April, sheds light on how occupational therapy can improve a patient’s quality of life through occupational engagement while having a profound impact on reducing depression and anxiety among the loved ones of dying patients.
Cultural Awareness in Hair Care
In their interactive session, OT Doctorate student Tameka Sumter and Dr. Mindy Garfinkel, clinical associate professor, delved into the cultural significance of hair, particularly textured hair, and its relationship with identity, cultural pride and self-esteem in communities of color. Inspired by a classroom assignment, the presentation emphasized the importance of cultural competence in therapeutic practices.
Smartphone Use in Graduate Education
Dr. Gary Grimaldi and Dr. Gioia Ciani, program director of the OT Doctorate, addressed the pros and cons of smartphone usage among graduate OT students. Their findings underscored the need for digital detox strategies, emphasizing mindful technology use to mitigate mental health risks while leveraging its potential for clinical and academic benefits.
Promoting Sleep Hygiene in Schools
Dr. Terese Betts, clinical assistant professor, presented a session on strategies for promoting sleep hygiene in school settings at the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (ConnOTA) conference. The discussion highlighted the profound impact of sleep on students’ academic and emotional well-being, offering practical interventions for educators and therapists.
Reducing Recidivism through Education
In collaboration with the Afya Foundation, Amanda Brenner, who graduated from the OT Doctorate program this year, and Dr. Alexandra Laghezza of Hofstra University developed an educational course to prepare occupational therapists to work with current and former inmates. Their work addresses gaps in vocational and life skills training, aiming to reduce the high recidivism rates among former inmates. They’ll present their work at the AOTA Inspire national conference in April.
Confronting Bias in OT Education
OT Doctorate graduates, Kate Mueller and Dr. Brynna Kaplan, and Dr. Alexandra Laghezza integrated disability studies into OT education to challenge implicit bias and foster inclusivity. Their presentation advocated for curriculum reforms that enhance understanding and advocacy for people with disabilities. Through interactive lectures and surveys, they demonstrated how disability studies can enrich OT education by encouraging critical reflection and advocacy.
Supporting Neurodiverse Families
Dr. Waldman-Levi and Leeyah Azizi, who graduated this year from the OT Doctorate, are pioneering a Tier-1 program to support parents of neurodiverse children. The program, designed to reduce family stress and conflict by offering strategies for promoting resilience and parental competence, was presented at NYSOTA this year and will be again at the AOTA Inspire national conference in April.
Combating Social Isolation in Older Adults
An interdisciplinary team, including Dr. Rachel Hirsch and Dr. Jessica Kwok, both recent graduates of the OT Doctorate, Dr. Waldman-Levi, Dr. Jeanine Stancanelli and several students from Mercy University and Dr. Alexandra Laghezza, explored the impact of yoga, mindfulness and social activities on reducing social isolation in older adults. In April at the AOTA Inspire national conference, they’ll present their Healthy Aging and Wellness program, which demonstrates how virtual and in-person interventions can improve mental health.
Trauma-Informed Care for Survivors
An educational module developed by Dr. Amanda Hoberman, who graduated this year from the OT Doctorate, Dr. Waldman-Levi, and Dr. Marissa Barrera, assistant dean of health sciences at the Katz School, equips healthcare professionals to work with trauma survivors. The project emphasized the importance of training in trauma-informed care, offering self-paced online lessons tailored to busy practitioners.
Addressing Antisemitism on Campus
In light of increasing antisemitism, Dr. Waldman-Levi and collaborators—Dr. Zahava Friedman, Dr. Robin Akselrud, Dr. Lisa Gordon-Handler, Dr. Lola Halperin, Dr. Avital Isenberg, Dr. Rivka Molinsky and Dr. Janet Falk-Kessler—conducted a study on its impact on Jewish students’ mental health and occupational engagement. Their findings, which will be presented in April at the AOTA Inspire national conference, revealed that antisemitism significantly affects students' sense of safety, social participation and academic performance.
The Co-Occupation of Joint Play
Dr. Waldman-Levi and Dr. Anita Bundy, chair of occupational therapy at Colorado State University, will lead a workshop in April at the AOTA Inspire national conference that explores the role of parent-child play in promoting developmental outcomes in April. The accepted short course will introduce tools like the Parent/Caregiver Support of Children’s Playfulness scale to evaluate and enhance parent/caregiver-child play interactions.
