On November 30,the Program in Occupational Therapy will welcome Wanda Mahoney, PhD, OTR/L, toits faculty. She earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University in 1999, her PhD in occupational therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 2008, and a master’s degree in history and graduate certificate in women and gender studies from DePaul University in 2018.
Mahoney has 10 years of previous academic experience at Midwestern University (2013-2018) and Chicago State University (2008-2013). She has taught in the areas of occupational therapy theory, pediatric evaluation and intervention, health conditions, assistive technology, and the mentorship of student research, among others. In addition to teaching, Mahoney researches occupational therapy history and occupational engagement among individuals with developmental disabilities. This has led to numerous peer-reviewed publications, presentations, book chapters and other professional publications. In addition to her academic experience, she has more than eight years of experience as an occupational therapist working with individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan in school and community settings. Mahoney served as chairperson of the developmental disabilities special interest section of the American Occupational Therapy Association from 2014-2017 and has been actively involved in the Network for LGBT Concerns in Occupational Therapy.
Mahoney will serve as a clinician-track educator in the Division of Professional Education where she will teach coursework related to occupational therapy theory, occupational therapy assessment, pediatric practice and other content. She will mentor students on scholarly projects that align with her research interests, and she will be a key contributor to the development of the renewed curriculum and to Program committees on diversity and inclusion and program evaluation.