Dr. Tyra M. Banks earned her MS in Occupational Therapy (OT) from Columbia University and her EdD in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Banks is currently an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine in the Programs in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University. She has been a practicing clinician in pediatric settings for over 20 years. During that time, she has had a private practice in Early Intervention and has extensive experience in School-based settings. Her OT background, coupled with a passion for Equity and Inclusion, led her to start a grassroots organization that provides College Access and College Retention programs for K-12 and undergraduate college students for marginalized populations. She presently serves as a member of the Roster of Accreditation Evaluators (RAE) of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). She is also an appointed member of the Anti-Racism for Medical Education Coalition at Columbia University. Dr. Banks has presented nationally and internationally in topics that center her current research interest area of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, as well as Anti-Racist Pedagogy in Higher Education.
She is a member of the AOTA, NYSOTA, BOTC, and NYSBOTC.
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