Assistant Professors Amy Hartman, Dominique Como and Kimberly Krebs
The University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Occupational Therapy continues to grow and we are excited to announce the addition of three new faculty members, all assistant professors. Over the summer we welcomed Dominique Como, Amy Hartman and Kimberly “Kimmy” Krebs to the department. Each has brought a wealth of experience and expertise that will significantly enhance the department's academic and research endeavors.
Assistant Professor Dominique Como
Dominique Como re-joins the Pitt Occupational Therapy community as an assistant professor, bringing a strong commitment to reducing health disparities and improving health care experiences for underserved populations. Como earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and religious studies from Arizona State University; a Master of Education in policy, planning and administration from Boston University; and a Master of Arts in occupational therapy and a Doctor of Philosophy in occupational science from the University of Southern California. Most recently, Como was a postdoctoral associate in our department. Her research interests include autism and oral health, health disparity across the lifespan and patient-provider relationships. Como’s dedication to addressing social injustices and her focus on systemic-level policies will be instrumental in shaping the department's efforts toward inclusive and equitable health care practices.
Assistant Professor Amy Hartman
Amy Hartman re-joins the Pitt Occupational Therapy community as an assistant professor, bringing extensive experience and a rich academic background. She earned her Bachelor of Science in human occupation studies and her Master of Science in occupational therapy from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hartman is well acquainted with Pitt OT, having completed her PhD in rehabilitation science at the University of Pittsburgh under the mentorship of former Pitt OT faculty member Roxanna Bendixen. Most recently, Hartman completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Psychiatry within the Center for Sleep and Circadian Science. Her research interests include examining the role of sleep health in supporting health and daily functioning for neurodivergent children and their families. The department is excited to welcome Hartman back and looks forward to her contributions to our educational programs.
Assistant Professor Kimberly Krebs
Kimberly “Kimmy” Krebs joins the Pitt Occupational Therapy community as an assistant professor with a robust clinical background in pediatric practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees from the University of Southern California. Krebs has experience in various settings, including early intervention, schools, pediatric mental health, sensory integration and feeding therapy. She holds board certification in pediatrics, is certified in sensory integration through the University of Southern California, is a certified trauma professional and is a certified lactation counselor. Before joining Pitt OT, Krebs was a clinical assistant professor and academic fieldwork coordinator for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Vermont. Her areas of interest include feeding practice, higher education practices within occupational therapy curriculum and rural fieldwork experiences. Krebs's diverse expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the department's growth and the development of its curriculum.