University Directory

Sarah J. Corcoran, OTD, OTR/L

Clinical Professor, School of Health Professions

Sarah Corcoran

Department

Office

Woodland 100

Phone

215-596-8767
Contact

Dr. Sarah Corcoran is a Clinical Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Saint Joseph’s University whose work focuses on fostering connection and belonging in occupational therapy education. She teaches across the curriculum, including courses in rehabilitation, therapeutic groups, and leadership, with a focus on preparing students for clinical practice through active, hands-on learning and the intentional development of professional identity and community.

Her scholarship centers on professional belonging, cultural humility, and inclusive teaching practices in occupational therapy education. She is the lead developer of the Professional Belonging Scale for Occupational Therapy Students (PBSOTS), including initial and revised versions. Her work examines how educational environments support student engagement, identity development, and readiness for practice. Her research has been published in journals such as the American Journal of Occupational Therapy and the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, and she regularly presents at national and international conferences. The PBSOTS is available for educational use here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15hUj2aVTcJ3GY8ZZcg3SqSCitkr8V0kp/view?usp=drive_link

Before joining academia, Dr. Corcoran practiced as an occupational therapist in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health settings. She also served as a performance improvement specialist, leading quality initiatives and clinical education programs. This experience informs her teaching and scholarship, particularly in rehabilitation and leadership practice.

Dr. Corcoran earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Chatham University and her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from University of Scranton.

She is committed to creating learning environments where students and faculty experience a shared sense of connection, belonging, and growth.

  • OTD, Chatham University
    BS, Occupational Therapy, University of Scranton

  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the OT professional community
    Leadership and mentorship

  • Corcoran, S., Recigno, T., & VanWye, R. (in press). Leadership. In VanWye & Lunsford’s Health System Management and Policy. Elsevier.
    Rhett-Davis, T. & Corcoran, S. (in press). Diversity, equity, and inclusion. In VanWye & Lunsford’s Health System Management and Policy. Elsevier.
    Clair, S., Corcoran, S., Bubel, E., & Amini, D. (2022). A process framework for the education-focused capstone: Supporting expansion and sustainable outcomes. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education 6(4).
    Corcoran, S. (2019). Risk management and contingency planning. In G. McCormack & K. Jacobs (Eds.). The occupational therapy manager (6th Edition). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.
    Corcoran, S. & Baist, H. (2018). Peer mentoring of home health occupational therapists: A pilot study. Annals of International Occupational Therapy 1(3), 139-146. doi: 10.3928/24761222-20180620-03
     
    Continuing Education Course
    Clair, S. & Corcoran, S. (2021). Addressing social determinants of health in occupational therapy practice. American Occupational Therapy Association.

    Selected Presentations
    Carter, A. & Corcoran, S. Belonging: The key to a sustainable, inclusive profession. Short course session at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association Conference, October 2022.
    Clair, S. & Corcoran, S. Occupational therapy practitioners’ capacity to address social determinants of health: A review of the literature. Poster presentation at WFOT Congress 2022 (peer-review accepted).