Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Faculty and Adjunct Faculty
2026-2027
| Fort Wayne, Indiana Full-Time Faculty | Peoria, Arizona Full-Time Faculty |
| Jill R. Linder, DHSc, OTR, CBIS, CSRS | Chelsey L. Edwards, OTD, OTR/L, CLT |
| OTD Program Director (Indiana), Associate Professor | OTD Program Director (Arizona), Assistant Professor |
| Kelly L. Grant, OTD | Heidi A. Carpenter, OTD, OTR/L, RYT |
| Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Assistant Professor | Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, Associate Professor |
| Patricia A. Henton, OTD, OTR/L, ICA, CEIM | Khadijah Johnson, OTD, OTR/L, PMH-C |
| Associate Professor | Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Assistant Professor |
| Andrew D. Rivera, OTD, OTR/L, AEP, CEIM | Camerion Judge, MS, OTR/L, CHT |
| Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, Associate Professor | Assistant Professor |
| Brandi Nicolette Baker, OTD, OTR/L | Tina Sauber, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR |
| Part-Time Faculty | Director of Innovation & OTD Bridge Program, Associate Professor |
| Fort Wayne, Indiana Adjunct Faculty | Peoria, Arizona Adjunct Faculty |
| Jessica Barla, OTR/L, CHT | Stephen C. Carnazzo, MDIV, OTR/L |
| Devyn Carder, OTD, OTR/L | Cambria Hunter, OTR/L, MSGH |
| Julie McElwain-Gabriel, MOT, CHT | Iman L. Johnson, MOTR/L |
| Karaline Hallett, OTD, OTR/L | Matthew LeVac, MS, OTR/L |
| Roger Hoversland, PhD | Scott Richardson, PhD, PT |
| Emily Smitson, OTD, OTR/L | |
| Jeanne Sowers, OTD, MA, OTR, CAPS, FAOTA |
Program Description
The entry level doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy (OTD), offered at Huntington University’s Parkview Hospital Randallia campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and at the Huntington University - Arizona site in Peoria, Arizona, provides students with the highest level of preparation for the field of occupational therapy. A doctorate in occupational therapy takes students beyond the generalist preparation of a master’s degree, providing additional exposure to specialty areas, research and experiential components for areas of specialization. The Huntington, Indiana, OTD program is one of the first fully accredited, entry-level doctoral programs in the country. The Peoria, Arizona, OTD program builds upon this program.
The Huntington University OTD programs will qualify students to sit for the national certification examination in occupational therapy (NBCOT). Program candidates may apply for admission after completing a bachelor’s degree. Our goal is to provide a Christian learning environment where servant leadership is part of serving the health and wellness needs of others.
The traditional OTD program is completed over a three-year time span and provides students with an in-depth educational experience. Students gain mastery skills in professional writing, assessment and intervention strategies, research, program development, management and leadership, professional behaviors and technology through guided learning experiences over the eight-term curriculum. Students in the traditional OTD program in Indiana participate primarily in face-to-face instruction in designated classrooms and laboratory spaces, with select courses offered online. The traditional OTD program in Arizona follows a hybrid delivery model. Didactic content is delivered online, while students meet in person on campus two days per week to participate in active, laboratory-based learning activities that align with their scheduled coursework.
The OTD Bridge program in Arizona follows the same rigorous curriculum as the traditional doctoral program in occupational therapy but is completed in nine terms to help students balance their academic and professional responsibilities. The didactic content of the program is offered online with two - three weekends per semester on campus for laboratory sessions, practical exams, and presentation skills training.