Shannon Strate (she/her)
Associate Professor College of Health & Wellness Department of Occupational Therapy Providence
Biography
Shannon Strate, OTD, MS, OTR/L, ECHM, has practiced occupational therapy in Rhode Island since 1999. She has primarily worked with older adults in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, supporting individuals whose physical, cognitive, or mental health conditions affect their ability to perform meaningful daily activities and, when possible, return to their prior living environment. She also has experience in home health and outpatient settings. In addition, Strate has served for many years as a rehabilitation manager in skilled nursing facilities, leading occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology staff and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
Strate began her occupational therapy career as an occupational therapy assistant before returning to school to earn her master’s degree and become certified as an occupational therapist, registered (OTR), through NBCOT. In 2019, she earned her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD-PP). Her enjoyment of educating occupational therapy students during their fieldwork experiences inspired her to expand her teaching into the classroom. Her doctoral studies also provided opportunities to conduct research, particularly in her area of interest: health disparities among older adults. Her doctoral project focused on improving the quality of life of long-term care residents through purposeful activities. One of Strate’s favorite activities is bringing her dog into nursing homes—and now the classroom—to help reduce anxiety and stress while promoting joy. She also enjoys mentoring new and experienced clinicians and rehabilitation managers.
She is an active member of state and national OT associations, representing the state of Rhode Island through the representative assembly (RA) with the American Occupational Therapy Association and locally through the RI OT association.
Education
OTD, New England Institute of Technology
Occupational Therapy
MS, New England Institute of Technology
Occupational Therapy
A.S., New England Institute of Technology
Occupational Therapy Assistant
BS, University of Rhode Island
Communicative Disorders
Executive Certificate in Home Modifications
University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
State of RI
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
NBCOT
CITI Certification
CITI Program
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
State of RI
Occupational Therapy License
Rhode Island Department of Health
OT Certification
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapist
American Occupational Therapy Association
RI OT Association
Strate, S. & Ullucci Jr., P. (July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 1, 2023). Medical Providers Are Unaware of the Role of OT. (Journal Article).
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(Supplement_2), 7711510206p1-7711510206p1.
https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.77s2-po206
Strate, S. & Doehler, C. (August, 2020). Does Engagement in Purposeful Activity Increase the Quality of Life of Long-Term Residents Living in Nursing Homes?. (Journal Article).
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(1_suppl).
https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74s1-po6611
AOTA Workshop, “Creating Individualized Strategies to Increase Referrals from Medical Providers in Your Practice,” Inspire 2025, Philadelphia, PA. (April 4, 2025).
Massachusetts/ Rhode Island Annual Occupational Therapy Conference 2024, “Advocating Occupational Therapy Services to Medical Providers,” Massachusetts/ Rhode Island Annual Occupational Therapy Conference, Norwood. (November 1, 2024).
NEXUS, “Advocating Occupational Therapy Services to Medical Providers,” National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, United States. (September 24, 2024).
JWU Student Symposium, “Advocating OT Amongst Medical Providers,” JWU. (April 23, 2024).
MAOT/RIOTA Annual Conference 2023, “Developing and Implementing Robotic Pet Interventions for Adults with Dementia,” MAOTA/RIOTA. (November, 2023).
Junior Achievement Inspire of Rhode Island Trade Show, “Junior Achievement Inspire of Rhode Island Trade Show,” Junior Achievement Inspire of Rhode Island. (November, 2023).
Lifespan Research Day, “Physical Therapists and Medical Providers Aren’t Clearing the Spine in Patients with Vertigo and Dizziness.,” Lifespan RI, providence, RI. (October 5, 2023).
6th Annual JWU Faculty Scholarship Showcase, “Are Medical Providers Aware of the Role of OT?,” JWU. (April, 2023).
JWU Faculty EXPO, “Medical Providers Aren’t Clearing the Spine in Patients with Vertigo and Dizziness.,” JWU. (April, 2023).
AOTA Annual Meeting, “Medical Providers are Unaware of the Role of OT.,” AOTA. (April 20, 2023).
University Scholarship and Best Practices Expo., “Medical Providers Aren’t Clearing the Spine in Patients with Vertigo and Dizziness. University Scholarship and Best Practices Expo.,” JWU. (February 25, 2023).
Combined Sections Meeting, “Physical Therapists and Medical Providers Aren’t Clearing the Spine in Patients with Vertigo and Dizziness.,” APTA. (February 25, 2023).
NEACSM annual meeting, “Medical Professionals Are Not Using Evidence-Based Techniques to Assess for the Presence of Cervicogenic Concussion or Cervicogenic Post-Concussion Syndrome.,” New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine.. (October 14, 2022).
Inaugural JWU CHW continuing ed, “Medical, rehabilitative and dietary considerations for identifying and treating non-CNS causes of dizziness, vertigo and concussive like symptoms.,” Johnson & Wales University College of Health and Wellness Continuing education program. (July 29, 2022).
5th Annual JWU Faculty Scholarhship Showcase, “Role of OT when assessing non-CNS causes of dizziness, vertigo, concussive or post-concussive symptoms,” JWU. (April 7, 2022).