SHRS Blog

Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Ann Marsico and Assistant Professor Cara Lekovitch took the lead in advancing fieldwork education for clinical fieldwork educators by developing a series of an annual virtual professional development sessions. Their work has focused on enhancing the skills of practitioners who guide students through the fieldwork process.

The program has been converted to 4+1, allowing in-state students to save both time and money!

Christine McFarland is the project assistant director for the new University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. McFarland has many years of experience in research and is very excited to welcome the Doctor of Chiropractic students. 

Department of PA Studies Assistant Professor and interprofessional inspirer Kathryn Reed leads by example in inspiring her peers and students to support community-engaged research in the interprofessional areas of health disparities and inequities, preventative care services and patient education in underrepresented groups. 

Pamela Toto, director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy program and Healthy Home Lab, was awarded the 2024 ROC Spirit Award from the Pitt Alumni Association (PAA) in recognition of her outstanding enthusiasm, loyalty, pride and Pitt spirit.  

Mike Wiles is the associate director of Academic Affairs and visiting professor for the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Wiles has spent his career working in higher education and in chiropractic care. 

Joel Stevans is the associate director of Clinical Education and associate professor in the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). With over 30 years of experience as a chiropractor, Stevans will be focusing on research and professional education.

Shireesh Bhalerao is an associate professor in the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Based in Portland, Oregon, Bhalerao has been a chiropractor since 2001 and is very excited to usher in the 2025 cohort of students. 

Dean Anthony Delitto will lead the new University of Pittsburgh Center for Excellence in Digital Education, or Pitt EDGE. This centralized unit will be entirely devoted to the development, advancement and promotion of Pitt's educational efforts in the digital space.​

Carly Homler (SLP ‘25) is in her second year of the program and shares what made her choose Pitt and what the clinical experiences have meant to her professional development. 

Are you interested in becoming an occupational therapist? Have you ever wondered what your first year is like as a student in the University of Pittsburgh’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, ranked #1 (tie) in the nation by U.S. News & World Report? As the past academic year came to an end, we surveyed first-year students about their experiences. See what some of Pitt Occupational Therapy's first-year OTD students had to say about the program.

In June, Assistant Professor Jennifer White transitioned to her new role as the director of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program. White’s knowledge in developing and managing early mobilization programs for clients requiring intensive care services and community-based occupational therapy services for underserved populations has been instrumental in transforming patient care.