Kathryn D Burke (she/her)
Associate Professor College of Health & Wellness Department of Occupational Therapy Providence
Biography
Kate Burke, OTD, OTR (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. In addition to teaching, Kate serves as a capstone mentor and faculty fieldwork educator. Kate earned a B.S. from Worcester State University in 1998 and her PP-OTD from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2021. She had over 20 years of experience in skilled nursing and acute rehabilitation before transitioning to academia. Kate is passionate about advancing equitable access to sexuality, gender & intimacy occupations through education, program development & research. She has presented at state & national conferences and several colleges and universities. Kate was elected to the board of The Network for LGBTQIA+ Concerns in Occupational Therapy as a Member at Large in 2025. She also serves as their Community of Practice Coordinator, cultivating a safe, professional networking space where OT students, academics, clinicians, and researchers can collaborate.
Education
Post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Occupational Therapy
BS, Worcester State University
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
CPR
American Heart Association
MoCA
MoCA Cognition
OT License 2025-27
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health
Occupational Therapist
Rhode Island Department of Health
CPR
Red Cross
OT License 2023-25
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health
MoCA
MoCA Cognition
OT License 2021-2023
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health
CPR
Red Cross
The Network for LGBTQIA+ Concerns
World Federation of Occupational Therapy
Amercian Occupational Therapy Association
Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapists
Burke, K. & Elwood, T. (September, 2024). “Sexual Intimacy in Person’s with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (PALS) and their Partners: A Pilot Study.”. (Review of Scholarly Papers).
Journal of Allied Health, 53(3), 212-217.
https://jwupvd-on-worldcat-org.jwupvdz.idm.oclc.org/search/detail/10376167368?queryString=Sexual%20Intimacy%20in%20Persons%20with%20Amyotrophic%20Lateral%20Sclerosis%20and%20their%20Partners%3A%20A%20Pilot%20Study&scope=&changedFacet=scope&clusterResults=false&groupVariantRecords=true&bookReviews=off
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium, “Educating Birthing Professionals About The Benefits of OT & PT in the Acute Post-Partum Period,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April 21, 2026).
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium, “Effect of Neuro-Affirming Sexual Health Education on Health Literacy of Neurodivergent Young Adults & Adolescents,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April 21, 2026).
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium, “The Impact of a Supplemental Educational Series on Provider Preparedness to Care for Sexual & Gender Minorities,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April 21, 2026).
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium, “The Impact of Community-based Educational Workshops on the Sexual Health Literacy and Sexual Satisfaction of LGBTQ+ Adults,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April 21, 2026).
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium, “The Impact of Post-Secondary Skills Training on Job-Readiness for Young Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April 21, 2026).
Annual Conference, “We Need to Talk About Gender Affirming Care,” MAOT/RIOTA, Norwood, MA. (November 7, 2025).
“Addressing Sexuality with Rehab Clients,” Next Level Home & Community Therapist Network. (September 30, 2025).
COTAD Chapter Meeting, ““What Matters to Me and Why” series,” COTAD USAHS-San Marcos. (June 26, 2025).
“Let’s Talk about Sexual Health Literacy and Occupational Therapy,” OT JEDI podcast. (May, 2025).
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo, “Effectiveness of Occupation-Based Mindfulness Strategies for Older Adults Experiencing Anxiety or Depression,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April, 2025).
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo, “The Impact of Combining Aquatic and Traditional Therapy on Older Adult’s Quality of Life: An Occupational Therapy Perspective,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April, 2025).
AOTA Inspire 2025, “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Occupation-Based Programming on the Sexual Health Literacy of Older Adults Living with HIV,” AOTA, Philadelphia, PA. (April 5, 2025).
ECMC Rehab Symposium, “Addressing Sex & Pleasure with Rehab Clients,” ECMC Center for Rehabilitation Services, Buffalo, NY. (March 8, 2025).
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo, “Interprofessional Collaboration: Designing Play Spaces for Older Adults,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (February, 2025).
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo, “Understanding and Incorporating Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (February, 2025).
MAOT/RIOTA Annual Conference, “Improving Health Literacy Through Revision of Educational Materials for Pelvic Health Considerations During Labor & Birth,” MAOT/RIOTA, Norwood, MA, United States. (November 1, 2024).
MAOT/RIOTA Annual Conference, “Interprofessional Collaboration: Designing Play Spaces for Older Adults,” MAOT/RIOTA, Norwood, MA. (November 1, 2024).
“Gender Affirming Care: What It Is & Why It Matters,” JWU OTD. (October 9, 2024).
Pelvic Health Community of Practice, “Pelvic Health & Capstone Opportunity,” AOTA. (June 4, 2024).
Geriatric Virtual Summit, “Addressing Sexuality with Older Adults,” Next Level Occupational Therapy. (May, 2024).
Student Symposium, “Addressing Sexual Health Literacy Among Older Adults Through Educational Programming,” JWU. (April 23, 2024).
Guest lecture, “Just A Quickie: Addressing Sexuality in OT Practice,” Stonehill College. (December 5, 2023).
Special topics course, “Just a Quickie – Sex in OT Practice,” Regis College, Weston, MA, United States. (November 15, 2023).
Design + Disability: Communication Tools, “Design & Disability,” Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, United States. (September 26, 2023).
Career Day, “What is Occupational Therapy,” Ford Middle School, Acushnet, MA. (June 9, 2023).
Faculty Expo, “Gratitude is our Jam,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence. (April, 2023).
Geriatric Virtual Summit, “Addressing Sexuality with Older Adults,” PESI. (March 30, 2023).
“Dating with Disability,” JWU OTD, Providence. (November, 2022).