Join us for an interesting conversation with Carrie Carman and Jen Papasodoro as they discuss their individual journeys in OT and why they came together to create The OT Parent Coaches, LLC.
Join us for an engaging discussion with Dr. Alyssa Boucher about Universal Design for Learning and Speech-Language Pathology!
Jessie Franco is a lecturer in the entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Sargent College. Her clinical experience centers on adult physical dysfunction and spans the full rehabilitation trajectory, with expertise in acute care. Passionate about preparing students for fieldwork and practice, Jessie is dedicated to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world clinical practice.
Kayla Jackson is a local high school senior, prospective college student, and current Girl Scout Gold Award candidate. She is the founder of the Backpack Awareness Initiative in her local school district and has promoted backpack safety throughout her community. Under the guidance of Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA at Boston University, Kayla has been able to gather factual data and conduct survey-based research on backpack usage within her own school and community. Kayla's long-term goal is to improve student wellness by educating others and improving awareness on backpack usage and its lasting impacts on health.
Kate Stewart is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University. She is an occupational therapist licensed with the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions and is registered with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. Kate has experience working with adults and older adults with diverse occupational performance and engagement issues across various settings, including acute care, inpatient rehab, community care, and mental health. Kate’s clinical work has primarily focused on providing occupational therapy services at the individual level (i.e., via home care) and at the group/collective level (i.e., via community mental health advocacy and social policy work). Kate’s scholarship emphasizes her interest in deepening our understanding of the occupational human to ultimately support individuals' capacity for everyday living. In service of this aim, she is interested in exploring the ways in which occupational therapists come to think like occupational therapists; that is, how occupational therapists reason through complex issues to best address the needs of clients. Recently, Kate has undertaken to examine the intersection of uncertainty and professional reasoning in occupational therapy practice and education.
Dr. Iverson’s career has been colored by a series of unexpected events, each of which have taken her work and interests in new directions. Her initial foray into psychological research – a
senior thesis focused on learning in cassius auratus (the goldfish) – led to an opportunity to work in a child language lab and subsequently to spending a year living in Rome and conducting research on the development of gesture and language in very young children. Her doctoral training in developmental psychology and language acquisition led to a postdoctoral
fellowship with Esther Thelen, where she spent a lot of time trying to understand what others in the Motor Development Lab were talking about (torque? attractor state?) and developing a deep
and lasting fascination with motor development. A move to the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 coincided with the award of a small grant to study the early development of infants with an older autistic sibling. This work became the impetus for combining her longstanding research on communicative and language development with her interest in motor development, with the goal of understanding how advances in the development of motor skills create rich new opportunities for infants to engage with objects and people and to do so in progressively more sophisticated ways. Dr. Iverson came to BU in 2022 with the goal of using this framework to develop interventions supporting early mobility and global development in infants and toddlers with motor delays and disabilities.
Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Monica Pessina as she shares her journey and explains how staying connected to clinical practice brings harmony to her education and research.
Jenn Keenan, EdD, EdM, leads strategic initiatives in clinical education and community partnerships at BU’s Sargent College. She oversees all aspects of undergraduate and graduate experiential learning, building and sustaining cross-sector partnerships that expand student access to meaningful, mission-driven placements. A proud BU alum and advocate for first-generation students, she also mentors with the Philadelphia Futures Scholars Program and Terrier F1rsts, helping to shape the next generation of leaders. Join us as Dr. Keenan shares some recent experiential learning projects she has played a role in creating at BU!
Lindsey M. Locks, ScD, MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Health Sciences (Sargent College) and Global Health (School of Public Health) at Boston University. She directs the Global Nutrition Lab and currently serves as Chair of the Global Nutrition Council, one of two scientific councils within the American Society for Nutrition. Dr. Locks is a nutritional epidemiologist who collaborates to co-design and evaluate high-impact interventions aimed at improving the nutrition of children and families living in high-poverty settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Dafna Barhad is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of expertise specializing in sensory-informed approaches to child development . Throughout her career, she has practiced in developmental centers and ran her own private practice, supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families while collaborating closely with educational teams and healthcare professionals. She has extensive experience developing individualized interventions and family education programs . Currently pursuing her Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) at Boston University, her doctoral research focuses on amplifying children's voices in their own care, reflecting her commitment to advancing evidence-based practice in pediatric occupational therapy. With a background in Art History, Dafna brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to therapeutic intervention. Her work focuses on creating inclusive environments where all individuals can thrive.
Join us for an interesting conversation with Dr. Shannon Peters where they share details of their new role as Faculty Council Representative at Boston University’s Sargent College. Dr. Peters shares their experience being a clinical assistant professor at Sargent, and a licensed psychologist, and how these experiences in collaboration with other faculty members will influence advocating for change in this new leadership role.
Join us for a conversation with Sarah Harvey, a recent PP-OTD graduate from BU based in rural Maine. In this episode, Sarah reflects on the importance of recognizing professional burnout and compassion fatigue among occupational therapists and other health care professionals. After facing burnout and professional fatigue herself, Sarah wanted to give back and support her peers. To do this Sarah designed an online community of practice for fellow Maine home health occupational therapy practitioners. Listen as she shares her experience and expertise, and what she has done to support other OTPs.
Join us for an interesting conversation with Dr. Tami Atkins to hear about how the integration of responsible artificial intelligence into occupational therapy curricula can remove barriers to evidence-based practice and equip students with essential skills for today’s technology-driven healthcare landscape.
Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Samantha Brown to learn about simulation rooms in academia. Through Samantha Brown's years of expertise in healthcare as both a clinician and educator, specifically in physical therapy, she demonstrates the importance of a simulation room. This conversation also delves into what a simulation room is and how students utalize it!
To get in contact with the HealthMatters staff please contact KJacobs@bu.edu
Join us for a conversation with Carolyn Ferrer, a seasoned occupational therapist with over 16 years of experience, as she wraps up her Post-Professional OTD at Boston University’s Sargent College. Carolyn spent 13 years working in inpatient rehab in Detroit, where she supported individuals with spinal cord injuries, strokes, limb loss, and other complex medical conditions. Her time there, especially through the challenges of the pandemic, not only sharpened her clinical skills but also deepened her perspective as a practitioner and person. In the years that followed, Carolyn transitioned into teaching, starting as a guest lecturer and eventually becoming an adjunct instructor. Inspired to take the next step in her career, she returned to school to pursue her PP-OTD. She found the “just right challenge” at Sargent College, where a supportive environment helped her balance school, teaching, and life. Tune in to hear Carolyn reflect on her experience in the program and share insights from her doctoral project—an innovative continuing education initiative that equips OTs to better support clients living with chronic conditions in managing their daily lives.
Join us for an exciting new episode featuring Kimberly Day, an occupational therapist who owns Sunny Day Therapy! Kim discusses her passion for teaching about executive function through her program, Kid Power, which integrates her knowledge of physical exercises, reflexes, sensory health, and mental health.
Listen as she discusses her doctoral work and follow her social media, https://linktr.ee/sunnydaytherapy, to learn about her products, services, and Story Power OT programs to enhance executive function and holistic strength.
Join us for a fascinating and enlightening conversation about advocacy, OT, and Emily's experience! Emily is an occupational therapist practicing in Syracuse, NY. She is a doctoral candidate (soon to graduate!) at Boston University's PP-OTD program. While she has had many experiences as an OT, she found her passion for the profession working with students with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Some of her meaningful occupations include hiking (especially with her dog Clover), musical theatre, spending time with her family, and puzzling at home.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Susan McGurk, clinical psychologist and faculty member at Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Susan shares her journey from biology major to leading expert in psychiatric rehabilitation, cognitive functioning, and employment support for individuals with serious mental illnesses. In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection of occupational therapy and psychology, dive into Susan’s development of the Thinking Skills for Work Program, and learn how self-management strategies can significantly enhance vocational outcomes. Susan also offers a glimpse into her personal life, sharing her love for running, gardening, and her beloved rescue dog, Venus. Whether you're a student, clinician, or simply curious about how cognition shapes everyday life, this episode delivers both professional insight and heartwarming stories.
Join us as for a joyful discussion on the power of affirmations with Shannon and Kayla, founders of My Happy Place. Based in Australia, Shannon and Kayla seek to empower individuals through various affirmation cards. Their mission is clear: to foster wellness by integrating evidence-based therapies with nature’s restorative powers.
Join us for an engaging conversation with Temor “Tay” Amin-Arsala, a new Clinical Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Sargent College! Temor's clinical practice history stretches across the entire lifespan in a multitude of settings, with an additional focus on LGBTQIA+ health. This discussion dives into Temor's experiences, academic and scholarly interests, and current leadership roles, including being the AOTA Massachusetts representative.