Rita Fleming-Castaldy

Name and Contact

  • Rita P. Fleming-Castaldy

  • rita.fleming-castaldy@scranton.edu

Training and Advanced Certifications

  • PhD, Occupational Therapy, New York University (NYU), 2008

  • Post-Professional MA, Occupational Therapy, NYU, 1988

  • BS, Occupational Therapy, NYU, 1980

Area(s) of Expertise

  • Disability rights, public policy, social justice, and empowerment

  • Program, curriculum, and faculty development

  • Community-based and mental health practice

  • Historical and information literacy

  • Certification exam preparation

  • Ethics and leadership

Awards and Honors

  • Professor Emeritus, University of Scranton, 2019

  • Provost Award for Excellence in Scholarly Publications, University of Scranton, 2018

  • AOTA Award for Excellence in the Advancement of OT for “advancing disability rights, empowerment, and historical literacy”, 2017.

  • Reba Anderson Memorial Lecture, 2017

  • AOTF Leaders and Legacies Society, 2016

  • AOTA Roster of Fellows for “education and advocacy”, 2002

  • NYSOTA Merit of Practice in Mental Health, 2005 and 2000

  • AOTA Award of Appreciation, 1994

  • AOTF Scholar in Residence, 1987

Leadership Accomplishments

  • Editor-in-Chief for the AOTA centennial OTArchive project.

  • Chairperson for the OT L&LS History Preservation Project.

  • Author and/or co-author of 15 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 50 book chapters and other professional publications.

  • Editor of ten books; several published for decades with multiple editions.

  • Author and/or co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed and invited presentations on areas of expertise at occupational therapy and interdisciplinary international, national, and state conferences.

  • Editorial board member and/or peer reviewer for AJOT, Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, Journal of the Medical Library Association.

  • Peer reviewer for international, national, and state conferences and seminal professional and continuing education publications for over 30 years.

  • Founding member and recording secretary for the NYSOTA Political Action Committee

Leadership Passions

  • Promoting disability rights, empowerment, and OT historical literacy.

  • Enabling accountability and excellence in the profession’s education, practice, and scholarship.

  • Mentoring students, entry-level practitioners, and emerging scholars.

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