UIC Department of Occupational Therapy

UIC Department of Occupational Therapy Creating Tomorrow's Practice

Since 1943, the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago has been integrating research, education and clinical practice in service to one vision: Creating Tomorrow’s Practice. We’re shaping the profession though our engagement in our Scholarship of Practice model which generates research and theories that will improve occupational therapy practice; our commitment

to excellent education for the leaders and practitioners of tomorrow; our service in leading the profession; our connection with Disability Studies and involving people with disabilities in our classes and research; our engagement in international initiatives; and our community partnerships through which we enhance the lives of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Our faculty, students and alumni are innovative professionals who transform the health and quality of life of individuals from diverse backgrounds and global communities.

Meet Kelly Giuliano, OT at the UIC OT Faculty Practice at the UI Health Collaborative at 55th & Pulaski!Kelly’s work foc...
05/31/2026

Meet Kelly Giuliano, OT at the UIC OT Faculty Practice at the UI Health Collaborative at 55th & Pulaski!

Kelly’s work focuses on co-occupations, co-regulation, and supporting families throughout the therapeutic process. She provides both individual and group interventions for children, youth, and families seeking OT services, addressing a wide range of diagnoses and skill areas.

Outside of the clinic, Kelly enjoys cooking, going for walks, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends and family. We’re grateful for the compassionate, family-centered care she brings to our community every day!

We’re excited to celebrate the publication of “An Occupation-Focused Intervention to Promote Functioning Among Adults Ag...
05/30/2026

We’re excited to celebrate the publication of “An Occupation-Focused Intervention to Promote Functioning Among Adults Aging With Diabetes and Heart Disease” in the Occupational Therapy Journal of Research (OTJR) by our UIC OT faculty Dr. Mansha Mirza, Dr. Heidi Fischer, and Dr. Dalmina Arias! 👏

This study explored how a remotely delivered occupational therapy intervention can support adults 55+ living with diabetes and heart disease. Through personalized goal setting, activity adaptation, and home modifications delivered by phone or video, participants demonstrated improvements in physical functioning and participation in meaningful daily activities.

As chronic conditions continue to impact aging populations, this work highlights the important role occupational therapy can play in promoting independence, participation, and quality of life through accessible, client-centered care.

We are proud to receive funding support from the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, and the Midwest Roybal Center for Health Promotion and Translation. We hope this work helps advance health and well-being for the communities and populations we serve. 💙❤️

Celebrating an extraordinary leader in occupational therapy ✨Congratulations to UIC OT alum Dr. Trudy Mallinson (MS ’94,...
04/25/2026

Celebrating an extraordinary leader in occupational therapy ✨

Congratulations to UIC OT alum Dr. Trudy Mallinson (MS ’94, PhD ’00) on receiving the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award—one of the highest and most prestigious honors in our profession. Awarded in 2025, Dr. Mallinson will deliver her Slagle Lecture today at the AOTA Conference in Anaheim, CA. This distinguished recognition honors scholars whose work has made lasting, innovative contributions to occupational therapy and continues to shape the future of our profession.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Gary Kielhofner at UIC, Dr. Mallinson built a remarkable career grounded in occupation-based theory—particularly the Model of Human Occupation—and measurement science. From advancing Rasch analysis to her founding vision of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Rehab Measures Database, her work has had a profound and lasting impact on both clinical practice and research.

Beyond her scholarship, Dr. Mallinson is a dedicated mentor, collaborator, and trailblazer who continues to uplift others and strengthen our professional community.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Mallinson as part of the UIC OT alumni community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor and on today’s Slagle Lecture! 💙❤️

Calling all UIC alumni, friends, and students: we're so excited to see everyone at AOTA INSPIRE 2026!Make sure to find u...
04/20/2026

Calling all UIC alumni, friends, and students: we're so excited to see everyone at AOTA INSPIRE 2026!

Make sure to find us at booth 428, check out our UIC faculty presentations (link below), and join us for a casual get-together at Finney's Crafthouse on Thursday!

We'll see you in Anaheim 🌤✨

https://uofi.box.com/s/ox1y8exsykiy32r7gd0so37m1f889is9

Announcing the release of a new book, the fifth edition of Kielhofner’s Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Therapy P...
04/16/2026

Announcing the release of a new book, the fifth edition of Kielhofner’s Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice. Co-editors who led the update and expansion of long-serving UICOT department head Dr. Gary Kielhofner’s book were OT alumni Jarrett Wolske, ’17 MSOT, ’22 OTD, and Clinical Professor Emeritus Gail Fisher, ’80 BSOT, ’17 PhD. They were joined by 50 contributors from around the world who served as chapter co-authors. UIC is well represented - about 30% of the co-authors are UIC faculty and/or alumni. The book is available in hard copy and digital format at https://www.fadavis.com/product/kielhofner-conceptual-foundations-occupational-therapy-practice-wolske-5

Gail and Jarrett will be at the F.A. Davis booth at the AOTA conference, Booth 339 near the AOTA Experience. Stop by to congratulate them!

03/20/2026

We are of our Class of 2027! 🎉

All your hard word has led to this moment and we couldn’t be more excited for you. Wishing you the best of luck as you begin Level-II fieldwork.

You’ve got this! ❤️💙

🎉We are proud of how our Children, Youth, and Families Scholarship of Practice Collaborative is growing. We successfully...
03/13/2026

🎉We are proud of how our Children, Youth, and Families Scholarship of Practice Collaborative is growing. We successfully mentored six of our students to complete their doctoral capstone projects. These students have established a strong foundation to benefit the second cohort of students who are completing their projects this Spring.

💡Please scroll down our updated web page to learn about our current members and play a short video describing a growing portfolio of capstone projects here:
https://ahs.uic.edu/academics/occupational-therapy/entry-level-occupational-therapy-doctorate/scholarship-of-practice-collaboratives/children-youth-and-families-sopc/

🤝We appreciate our partners: Child Development Center at Parkland College, UIC Aquatic and Safety Program, Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn, UIH 55th and Pulaski Health Collaborative, UIC OT Faculty Practice for Children, Youth, and Families, Blue Bird Day, and Easterseals Academy Chicago.

Great news--UIC OT is now on Instagram! Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/uic_ot/ to keep up with department events...
03/10/2026

Great news--UIC OT is now on Instagram! Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/uic_ot/ to keep up with department events, research innovation, spotlights, and student life!

Address

1919 W Taylor Street
Chicago, IL
60612

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13129963051

Website

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