Tara Mansour, OT, OTD, MS-HPEd, OTR

Dr. Tara Mansour, OTD, MS-HPEd, OTR/L, serves as an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. With over 23 years of clinical experience, Dr. Mansour has transitioned into academia, where she champions progressive educational methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration in occupational therapy and clinical education. She oversees fieldwork education, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards while developing innovative, experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for professional practice. 

Dr. Mansour, a PhD candidate in Health Professions Education, investigates the continuum of learning experiences that prepare students for professional practice. Her scholarship includes studying ways to equip clinical instructors with the skills and resources needed to effectively teach and mentor students in practice settings, examining peer mentorship as a tool for growth in occupational therapy education, and integrating artificial intelligence into fieldwork education to strengthen learning and critical thinking. She is committed to developing strategies that empower students to grow as professionals, build confidence in their clinical skills, and navigate the transition to practice successfully. 

Beyond her institutional role, Dr. Mansour is actively engaged in national service, contributing to the advancement of health professions education. She serves on the Clinical Education Committee of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP), working to shape best practices in clinical training across disciplines. At MGH IHP, she co-chairs the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Clinical Education Committee, collaborating with faculty to support both our students and clinical site partners. In addition, she co-chairs the Generative AI Task Force, leading initiatives to explore and implement AI-driven innovations in health professions education. 

Nationally recognized for her contributions, Dr. Mansour has presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) Education Summit and Academic Leadership Conference. She has also authored scholarly articles on the integration of AI in clinical education, including a publication in Frontiers of Medicine; on how educators can best support students’ needs while still preparing them for the demands of clinical practice in Medical Education; and most recently on supporting the professional development needs of clinical instructors in the Journal of Allied Health. In addition, she has implemented Balint groups in Level II fieldwork, providing structured peer discussions that enhance student reflection, empathy, and professional development. Through her work, Dr. Mansour is dedicated to advancing health professions education by leveraging innovative pedagogical strategies and technology to support the next generation of occupational therapists.