Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Faculty and Adjunct Faculty

2026-2027

Fort Wayne, Indiana Full-Time FacultyPeoria, Arizona Full-Time Faculty
Jill R. Linder, DHSc, OTR, CBIS, CSRSChelsey L. Edwards, OTD, OTR/L, CLT
     OTD Program Director (Indiana), Associate Professor     OTD Program Director (Arizona), Assistant Professor
Kelly L. Grant, OTDHeidi A. Carpenter, OTD, OTR/L, RYT
    Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Assistant Professor     Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, Associate Professor
Patricia A. Henton, OTD, OTR/L, ICA, CEIMKhadijah Johnson, OTD, OTR/L, PMH-C
     Associate Professor     Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Assistant Professor
Andrew D. Rivera, OTD, OTR/L, AEP, CEIMCamerion 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 FacultyDirector of Innovation & OTD Bridge Program, Associate Professor
  
  
Fort Wayne, Indiana Adjunct FacultyPeoria, Arizona Adjunct Faculty
Jessica Barla, OTR/L, CHTStephen C. Carnazzo, MDIV, OTR/L
Devyn Carder, OTD, OTR/LCambria Hunter, OTR/L, MSGH
Julie McElwain-Gabriel, MOT, CHTIman L. Johnson, MOTR/L
Karaline Hallett, OTD, OTR/LMatthew LeVac, MS, OTR/L
Roger Hoversland, PhDScott 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. 

For the traditional OTD programs in Indiana and Arizona, coursework is completed over a three-year time span with in-depth learning in designated classrooms, laboratory space, and online learning. 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.

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.