University Directory

Wendy E. Walsh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Clinical Associate Professor and Chair of Occupational Therapy

 

Wendy Walsh PhD, OTR/L

Department

Office

Woodland 122

Phone

215-596-7343
Contact

Occupational Roles

Mom, Daughter, Friend, Educator, Occupational Therapist, Policy Wonk, Religious participant, Community Advocate, Concert goer, Amature Oenophile, Gastronome, Horticulturalist, and a "Dr. Fix-It".

Occupational History

Wendy has always had a passion for learning. After a short career as an industrial chemist, she attended USciences for graduate school in occupational therapy (’00). In 2018 She completed her PhD in in Health Policy, focusing on professional occupational therapy advocacy and nationwide scope of practice issues. “Whatever one’s mind can conceive; you can achieve” is a quote from The Secret that represents Wendy’s curious nature. Wendy is a busy mom and community member splitting time between, neighborhood activities, high school events, Girl Scout leadership, and leisure fun. She has a teen daughter who keeps Walsh on her toes! Wendy keeps occupational balance in her life by having hobbies that are both relaxing and rewarding. Watching her orchids bloom takes care, timing, and most of all, patience! Wendy's favorite thing to do is travel evidenced by her most recent vacations to Russia, Belgium, and Japan. The next trip is currently "in the works!!" Otherwise, Wendy likes to enjoy fine dining and spending time with friends and loved ones.

As Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy, Walsh leads by example. She currently practices occupational therapy in a rehabilitation setting, is actively engaged in research, and is working on writing a book chapter. She fosters student professional identity discovery by exposing students to the political context with legislator visits and as an advisor to Pi Theta Epsilon, the national honor society for Occupational Therapy. Wendy is “hands-on” and active with both the MOT and DrOT programs, as well as with undergraduate students.

Education

Wendy has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Beaver College and, a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, a Master of Occupational Therapy, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Policy from USciences.

Clinical Practice

Wendy’s practice as an occupational therapist has been very rich over the last twenty years. She spent four years with Bryn Mawr Rehab (part of the Jefferson Health System) working primarily on the Traumatic Brain Injury unit and secondarily with the medically complex and stroke units. There, she also gained experience in work hardening, day treatment (TBI), and outpatient departments. Wendy has been with HCRManorCare since 2005 as a per diem therapist specializing in sub-acute rehab and longer term client care. Prior to full time employment with USciences, Wendy had been an adjunct instructor for four years. She has recently partnered with a local Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) on a research project investigating transition of the older adult. She has run several CarFit events in the local and extended Philadelphia community benefiting elder driver safety.

Clinical Practice & Research Interests:
Healthcare Advocacy, Health Policy, Professional Issues, Gerontology, Transition of older adults, Ethics, Qualitative inquiry.

  • BA, Beaver

    BSHS, MOT, PhD, USciences

  • PUBLICATIONS

    • Walsh, W.E. (2021). Leisure Occupations. In M. Blount, P. Kramer & W. Blount (Eds), The Texture of Life: Occupations and Related Activities (5th ed). AOTA Press
    • Whitney, R. V., and Walsh, W.E. (2020). Occupational Therapy’s Role in Times of Disaster: Addressing Periods of Occupational Disruption. OT Practice. 25(5):CEA0520. (Chosen as a national Continuing Education article)
    • Walsh, W.E. (2018). Investigating Public Perception of Occupational Therapy: An Environmental Scan of Three Media Outlets. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 72(3):7203205080p1
    • Whitney, R.V. and Fox, W.W (2017). Using reflective learning opportunities to reveal and transform knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and skills related to the occupation of sexual engagement impaired by disability. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. 5(2) Article 8. http://dx.doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1246
    • Fox, W.W. and Gibbs, V. (2015). How can occupational therapy support underserved minority groups following the changes to the Autism Diagnosis? American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 69 (6911510224).1. doi:10.5014/ajot.2015.69S1-PO7099

    MEDIA

    PRESENTATIONS

    • “Using qualitative methodology to evaluate student perceptions on servant leadership following an international medical mission experience: A Photovoice case study”. Oral Presentation. World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress. Paris, France. 3/2022
    • “Understanding Professional Imperatives”. Session. New Jersey OT Association annual conference. (Virtual) 10/2020
    • Walsh, W. and Greene, N. (2019, Oct). The Influence of Food Packaging Designs on Assistance Levels in Older Adults. Session. The Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, King of Prussia, PA,
    • Whitney, R.V. and Walsh, W.E. (2018, April). Using Clinical Reasoning to Create Meaningful Occupation-Based Interventions for Patients During Critical Periods of Transition Across the Lifespan. Session. AOTA national conference, Salt Lake City, UT
    • Breen-Franklin, A., Walsh, W.E., and San, S. (2017, March). Generation2Generation: Mutual Learning Between Occupational Therapy Students and Older Adults. Session. American Society on Aging, Aging in America Conference, Chicago, IL
    • Fox, W., Marzano, M., and Puscar, C. (2014, October). A Clinician’s Guide to Assessing Cognition. Session conducted at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, King of Prussia, PA
    • Fox, W.W. and Whitney, R. V. (2014, June). Threading Curative Art into Current Occupational Therapy Education -A Mechanism for Enabling Adaptation During Student Learning. Session at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy international conference, Yokohama, Japan.

    POSTER

    • Walsh, W.E., Breen-Franklin, A., and San, S. (2018 Apr/May). Generation2Generation: Mutual Learning Between Occupational Therapy Students and Older Adults in Transition to Independent Living.
    • -Poster presentation at the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress, Cape Town, South Africa
    • -Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Salt Lake City, UT
    • Fox, WW (2017 March). Can’t Make AOTA’s Hill Day? One program’s approach to infusing “Professional Advocacy in Action” into OT school. Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, Philadelphia, PA
    • Fox, W. and Moley, T. (2016, Oct). What Pennsylvania OT Practitioners Need to Know About Telehealth: Intervention and Service Delivery Model Considerations. Poster presentation at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, Lancaster, PA
    • Murcia, J., Parackel, C., Varghese, L., Fox, W., and Kramer, P. (2014, Oct). A Pilot Study on CarFit: Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Safest Fit. Poster presentation at The Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, King of Prussia, PA

    VIDEO

    • AOTA/Ability Media (2021). Going to the Movies. Disability representation and advocacy in films. Advocacy & Policy Representative for the Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section. https://youtu.be/oV1BWGWgI4A (11:30, 20:35, 23:11, 31:20, 34.21)
    • Fox, W. (2011 May). Giving up the keys. Public service announcement for elder driving dangers. Actor/Director/Producer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4zpAlTaxzM