Mary O’Donnell, OTD, MS, OTR/L is an Instructor and Clinical Access Specialist within the The Tabor/Connor Family Occupational Therapy Center for Learning, Participation, and Rehabilitation (OT CLiPR).
Dr. O’Donnell is a proud IHP alum, having graduated in the first cohort of post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy students in 2022. Dr. O’Donnell completed her undergraduate and Master’s education at Boston University. Her Doctoral capstone project focused on advocacy and policy to improve access to early intervention services for young children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. Dr. O’Donnell is passionate about advocacy and founded the MAOT “Advocacy in OT Practice” special interest group in 2022. Dr. O'Donnell's clinical and scholarly interests include pediatric rehabilitation, infant and maternal health, constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and community-based practice.
Dr. O’Donnell serves as part-time faculty at the IHP, teaching within the entry-level OTD program and supporting programming at the OT CLiPR. She maintains a clinical affiliation at Spaulding Outpatient Center for Children in Lexington, MA.
- BS, Therapeutic Studies, Boston University, Boston, MA
- MS, Occupational Therapy, Boston University, Boston, MA
- OTD, Post Professional, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Community-based practice
- Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)
Dr. O'Donnell has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. You can view a complete listing of Dr. O'Donnell's publications in her CV.
Advocating for change to meet the developmental needs of young children experiencing homelessness.
In addition, Dr. O'Donnell regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.
Grassroots advocacy through special interest groups – Application of best practices in creating an advocacy-focused state association SIG at American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) INSPIRE National Conference.
OT's role in advocating for unmet needs of children experiencing homelessness at American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) INSPIRE National Conference.
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Advocacy for Homeless Children at the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference.
Outcomes of state grassroots advocacy campaign at increasing federal advocacy, knowledge and confidence at Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference.
