Kathryn Burke

Kate Burke, OTD, OTR/L worked in skilled nursing and acute rehabilitation for twenty-two years before transitioning to teaching at JWU. During that time, she specialized in working with older adults and frequently supervised fieldwork students. Burke has extensive experience treating adults with neurological injuries, complex medical and/or cardiac conditions, as well as those who have sustained significant physical trauma. Looking ahead to a career in academia, she completed her post-professional doctorate in 2021 with a Capstone research study about emerging-practice fieldwork. Burke believes that occupational therapy has a larger role to play in addressing social determinants of health and that emerging-practice fieldwork is a means of expanding the role of occupational therapy in community-based wellness.

Education

• Occupational Therapy Doctorate, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
• BS Occupational Therapy, Worcester State University

Teaching Interests

Burke is passionate about teaching students the foundations of occupational therapy. Kate is particularly interested in using technology and high-impact practices in the classroom to engage learners. She is excited to mentor students through their community-based Capstone projects.

Scholarly Interests

Burke’s personal professional goal is to help OT (Occupational Therapy) practitioners feel comfortable and competent addressing sexuality in their practice. To this end, she has done several presentations and guest lectures on this topic. She is currently developing a continuing education course for OTs focused on theoretical models and treatment approaches that can be used to address sexual health through occupation.

Courses

• OTD7130: Assessment & Theory Lab
• OTD7160: Human Conditions I
• OTD8360: Occupational Therapy Practice III Lab