OTD Scholarly Work
Welcome Message
Welcome to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Scholarly Webpage, a platform dedicated to showcasing the scholarly work of our occupational therapy students and faculty. Our program is committed to cultivating globally responsive leaders who address the complex needs of individuals and communities through occupation. Grounded in the core values of Aloha, Pono, Kuleana, Kōkua, and Laulima, our students and faculty embody compassionate leadership, ethical practice, and collaborative teamwork. Scholarship is at the heart of our curriculum, guiding our students to become lifelong learners and evidence-based practitioners.
From OTD HONOLULU Director of SCholarship
Jana Cason, DHSc, OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA
Faculty scholarship within Hawaii Pacific University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program reflects our deep commitment to advancing knowledge, improving practice, and serving communities through research, innovation, and collaboration. Rooted in our program’s core values of Aloha, Pono, Kuleana, Kōkua, and Laulima, faculty engage in scholarly activities that embody our values.
This section of the webpage highlights the diverse and impactful scholarly contributions of our faculty, who model leadership, inquiry, and service to address the complex needs of people and society through occupation.
Sarah Blaylock, Ph.D., OTR/L
Assistant Professor & Assistant Director of Fieldwork Education
Schwarz, B., Richardson, M.V., Blaylock, S., Zhang, Q., Rodriguez, N., & Hart, E. (2025). Implementation of an online interprofessional dementia-focused experiential learning activity for occupational and physical therapy students: A curricular resource. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 39, 100748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2025.100748
Jana Cason, DHSc, OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA
Full Professor & Director of Scholarship
Cason, J. (2025). Using telehealth in pediatric occupational therapy. Case-Smith’s occupational therapy for children and adolescents (9th ed.). Elsevier.
Cohn, E.R., & Cason, J. (2025). Editors’ note: Volume overview. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 17(1), 1-2.
Cason, J. (2025, April 4). Innovative use of AOTA evidence-based practice resources in an entry-level OTD research course. 105th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Philadelphia, PA
Cason, J. (2025, February 1). Integrating AOTA evidence-based practice resources into an entry-level OTD research course. AOTA Special Interest Section Newsletter. https://www.aota.org/publications/sis-quarterly/academic-education-sis/aesis-2-25
Cason, J. & Cohn, E.R. (2024). Providing occupational therapy services through telehealth. In C. Brown & G. Gillen (Eds.), Willard & Spackman’s occupational therapy (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer
Cohn, E.R., & Cason, J. (2024). Editors’ note: Volume overview. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 16(2), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6683
Donica, D. & Cason, J. (2024, Oct. 30). Everyday evidence: Handwriting telehealth interventions [Podcast]. American Occupational Therapy Association
Coker-Bolt, P., Sears, C., Cason, J., & Recigno, T. (2024, September). Grant Award # H325R240040 – Personnel development to improve services and results for children with disabilities—Preparation of related services personnel serving children with disabilities who have high- intensity needs. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. Award: $1,250,000
Cason, J. [Honorable Guest]. (2024, August 15). Integrative use of compassion in dementia care service. Collaboration with students from Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, China
Cason, J. & Richmond, T. (2024, April 14). Best practice and innovation for telehealth in occupational therapy. OT Student Led Conference, Non-Traditional Emerging Practice in OT: OT’s Role in the Digital Age, Quinnipiac University
Cason, J. & Cohn, E.R. (2024). Editors’ note: Volume overview. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 16(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6634
Thomas, S. & Cason, J. (2024). National Network Library of Medicine’s Region 5 Technology Improvement Award [Grant proposal]
Cason, J. (2024, May 23). Certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration, Collaborative Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI) - CASI #3469; 180 hours of advanced training in Ayres Sensory Integration
Cason, J. (2024). 2024 WFOT Leadership and Innovation Award. World Federation of Occupational Therapists
Cason, J., Collins, M., James, L., & Kaplan, L. (2024, March 21). Navigating academia: Tips from experienced faculty. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Patty Coker-Bolt
Full Professor & Community Relations Ambassador
Williams, J., Kokenes, C., York, C., Cruz, E.R., Hart, E., Knox, S., & Coker-Bolt, P. (2025, April). It takes an island: Empowering children with upper limb differences. OT Practice Magazine, 30(4), 12-17.
Coker-Bolt, P., DeLuca, S., Trucks, M.R., Wallace, D., Stephens, C. (2025). Updates on Pediatric Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (P-CIMT): How to implement in today’s practice environment [Poster Presentation]. 105th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Philadelphia, PA
Coker-Bolt, P. (2025) Hawaii Pacific University Golden Apple Award for Student Service Learning
Coker-Bolt, P. & Hart, E. [Contributors]. (2025). HPU Doctor of Occupational Therapy students and faculty bring care and connection to St. Lucia. HPU Ohana. https://www.hpu.edu/about-us/the-ohana/article.php?nid=nc05292501
Nguyen, N.-M., Do, T.-Q., Nguyen, Q., Tran, H., Dao, T., Reychler, G., Dodds, C. and Coker-Bolt, P. (2025), The cross-cultural validity and reliability of the Vietnamese Version of the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. Child: Care, Health, and Development, 51, e70066. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.70066
Coker-Bolt, P. (2024, November). Intensive therapies in Hawaiʻi and underserved regions - Logistics, training & outcomes [Grant application]. AOTF Implementation Grant.
Coker-Bolt, P. & Hart, E. (2024). Updates on pediatric assessment: What you should know for current practice. Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii Conference. Honolulu, HI.
Coker-Bolt, P., Sears, C., Cason, J., & Recigno, T. (2024, September). Grant Award # H325R240040 – Personnel development to improve services and results for children with disabilities—Preparation of related services personnel serving children with disabilities who have high- intensity needs. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. Award: $1,250,000
Pham, V. M., Hoang, T. L., Hoang, K. C., Nguyen, N. M., DeLuca, S. C., & Coker-Bolt, P. (2024). The effect of constraint-induced movement therapy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy in Vietnam. Disability and Rehabilitation, 47(4), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2360060
Seo, N.J., Brinkhoff, M., Fredendall, S., Coker-Bolt, P., McGloon, K., & Humanitzki, E. (2024). The use of TheraBracelet upper extremity vibrotactile stimulation in a child with cerebral palsy—A case report. Electronics, 13, 31-47. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13163147
Jenkins, D. (2024). NIH R42 HD104409 funded grant “BabyStrong II: A randomized controlled trial of paired taVNS to improve infant feeding. (Coker-Bolt, P., Consultant)
Coker-Bolt, P. (2024, April). 2023 ACOTE Standards OTD and OTM Degree Level Program Information Session. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Coker-Bolt, P. (2024, April). 2024 AOTA Recognition of Achievement Award. American Occupational Therapy Association
Coker-Bolt, P. (2024, April). 2024 AOTA International Award. American Occupational Therapy Association
Hart, E. & Coker-Bolt, P. (2024). Intensive therapies in Hawaiʻi and underserved regions - Logistics, training & outcomes. C-Progress Pilot Studies [Grant application – submitted February 2024]
Coker-Bolt, P. & Hart, E. (2024). Updates on pediatric assessment: What you should know for current practice. South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association: Columbia, SC.
Coker-Bolt, P., Trucks, M.R., & Taylor, S. (2024). Expanding pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy: A mentorship approach to train therapists in Trinidad and Tobago [Presentation]. The Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists (ACOT).
McGloon, K., Humanitzki, E., Brennan, J., Summers, P., Brennan, A., George, M.S., Badran, B.W., Cribb, A.R., Jenkins, D. & Coker-Bolt, P. (2024) Pairing taVNS and CIMT is feasible and may improve upper extremity function in infants. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 12, 1365767. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2024.1365767
Walker, M. & Coker-Bolt, P. (2024). Promoting access to sport and leisure occupations for children with medical complexities through community partnerships and occupational analysis. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Compton, R.M., Coker-Bolt, P., & Woody, M. (2024, February). Complementary health approaches and integrative health’s (CHAIH’s) distinct value in occupational therapy. AOTA Special Interest Section Quarterly. https://www.aota.org/publications/sis-quarterly/mental-health-sis/mhsis-2-24
Humanitzki, L., Coker-Bolt, P., McGloon, K., Brennan, J., Cribb, S., Brennan, A., Summers, P., Badran, B., George, M., & Jenkins, D. (2024). Measuring fidelity of constraint-induced movement therapy delivery with combined neuromodulation (Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation). 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Michael Falcon, OTD, OTR/L, MHA
Assistant Professor & Director of Capstone Education
Falcon, M. (2024, April). 2024 AOTA International Award. American Occupational Therapy Association
Eileen Garza, Ph.D., OTR, ATP/SMS, FAOTA
Adjunct Faculty
Recipient of a scholarship to study development of tools and ethical and moral application of artificial intelligence in special education Generation AI Explorations project through International Society of Technology Education and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Emerson Hart, Ph.D., OTR/L, BCP
Assistant Professor & Director of Student Affairs
Williams, J., Kokenes, C., York, C., Cruz, E.R., Hart, E., Knox, S., & Coker-Bolt, P. (2025, April). It takes an island: Empowering children with upper limb differences. OT Practice Magazine, 30(4), 12-17.
Schwarz, B., Richardson, M.V., Blaylock, S., Zhang, Q., Rodriguez, N., & Hart, E. (2025). Implementation of an online interprofessional dementia-focused experiential learning activity for occupational and physical therapy students: A curricular resource. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 39, 100748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2025.100748
Coker-Bolt, P. & Hart, E. [Contributors]. (2025). HPU Doctor of Occupational Therapy students and faculty bring care and connection to St. Lucia. HPU Ohana. https://www.hpu.edu/about-us/the-ohana/article.php?nid=nc05292501
Hart, E. (2024). Grant application – submitted November 2024; Intensive therapies in Hawaiʻi and underserved regions - Logistics, training & outcomes. AOTF Implementation Grant.
Coker-Bolt, P. & Hart, E. (2024). Updates on pediatric assessment: What you should know for current practice. Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii Conference. Honolulu, HI.
Hart, E. & Coker-Bolt, P. (2024). Intensive therapies in Hawaiʻi and underserved regions - Logistics, training & outcomes. C-Progress Pilot Studies [Grant application – submitted February 2024]
Coker-Bolt, P. & Hart, E. (2024). Updates on pediatric assessment: What you should know for current practice. South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association: Columbia, SC.
Hart, E. & Woodbury, M.L. (2024). Balance & visual search strategy in children after unilateral brain damage. Poster. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL.
Kristen Keech, OTD, OTR/L, CBIST
Adjunct Faculty
Keech, K. (2025). Use of social media to share free evidence-based information, resources, and guidance [Development of free platform for clinicians, survivors, and caregivers to network, learn, share survivor experience and stories, and advocate for all things Brain Injury @consciouscareconsultingllc]
Keech, K., Schnakers, C., Murtaugh, B., O’Brien, K., Slomine, B., Briand, M.-M., Formisano, R., Thibaut, A., Estraneo, A., Noé, E., Gosseries, O., & da Conceição Teixeira, L. (2025). Optimizing neurobehavioral assessment for patients with disorders of consciousness: Proposal of a Comprehensive Pre-Assessment Checklist for Clinicians. Brain Sciences, 15(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15010071
Keech, K. & Asiello, J. (2025, January 8). Neuro Navigators Episode 12: Can we awaken potential and rethink what’s possible in disorders of consciousness? Neuro Navigators: A Medbridge Podcast [Guest]. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neuro-navigators-episode-12-can-we-awaken-potential/id1740841520?i=1000692300264
Keech, K., Schnakers, C., Murtaugh, B., O’Brien, K., Slomine, B., Briand, M.-M., Formisano, R., Thibaut, A., Estraneo, A., Noé, E., Gosseries, O., & da Conceição Teixeira, L. (2025). Optimizing neurobehavioral assessment for patients with disorders of consciousness: Proposal of a comprehensive pre-assessment checklist for clinicians [Poster]. 15th World Congress on Brain Injury.
Keech, K. (2024, December 4). Beyond these clinic walls. [Guest]. Coffee Chat: Disorders of Consciousness [Podcast]. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1976416/episodes/16240409
Keech, K. & Smith C. (2024, Oct. 5). Roadmap for recovery: Practical evidence-informed approaches to facilitate recovery after moderate to severe TBI. Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii, OTAH Annual Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Keech, K., & Asiello, J. (2024). Conscious care: A proposed model to improve interprofessional care of patients with disorders of consciousness in the acute hospital setting. Brain Injury, 38(13), 1125–1132. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2024.2376767
Keech, K. (2024). Impact Award. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
Keech, K. (2024). The role of OT in disorders of consciousness. American Occupational Therapy Association Rehabilitation & Disability Special Interest Section Practice Chat. Virtual.
Keech, K. (2024). T.B.I. S.L.E.E.P: Traumatic brain injury interprofessional sleep/wake bundle lowering agitation with effective evidence-based intervention program [Poster]. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Keech, K. (2024). Conscious care: A proposed knowledge translation model to minimize the gap between evidence and clinical practice in management of disorders of consciousness. [Poster]. Annual Conference on Brain Injury
Keech, K. (2024). Occupational therapy best practice: Our role in the recovery of consciousness [Virtual presentation]. UNC Critical Care Special Interest Group, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Keech, K. (2024). Occupational therapy best practice: Assessment and intervention pearls for management of patients after severe traumatic brain injury [Virtual presentation]. Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii, virtual, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jessica Lynn, PPOTD, OTR/L
Adjunct Faculty
Lynn, J. (2025, May). Completion of terminal degree: Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD); Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC
Emphasis: Academic Teaching; Capstone Title: Innovative Curriculum: Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship for Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Students
Lynn, J. (2024, September). The national certification exam: Information you need to know [Oral workshop presentation]. NBCOT Ambassador. 2024 Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Kentucky.
Lynn, J. (2024, February). Medicaid reimbursement and the impact of advocacy [Oral presentation]. Therapy Tri-alliance Legislative Day, Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association, Kentucky.
Sharniece Pierce, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-UE, CEAS, MFDC, CKTP, CSC, CPT, AIB-VR/CON, LSVT BIG Certified
Assistant Professor & Director of Admissions
Pierce, S. (2024, February). Student admissions: Increasing underrepresented minority populations in the workforce. OT Practice, 29(2), 12-13.
Pierce, S., & Sears, C. (2024, March 21). Developing a personal trait competency assessment for addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the OT admissions process. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Pierce, S. (2024). Leaders Made Award. Logan University
Pierce, S. (2024). OT Practitioner of the Year. Kansas Occupational Therapy Association
Cindy Sears, OTD, MA, OTR/L, BCP, FNAP
Associate Professor & Director of Curriculum
Sears, C.L. (2025, May 2). From problems to possibilities: A scholarly approach to data translation and meaningful outcomes [Keynote Address]. Eastern Kentucky University Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy 20th Annual Research Day, Richmond, Kentucky.
Sears, C. L. (March 2025). Fellow, National Academies of Practice, Occupational Therapy Chapter
Sears, C.L., Egan, B.E., Bishop, E., Milholland, C., & Capps, C. (2025). Using keyform maps in level II fieldwork: Clinical stories and lessons learned. OT Practice Magazine, 30 (1) 27-29.
Seamon B.A., Sears C.L., Anderson E., Velozo C.A., (2024) Validation of the gross motor unit and measurement scale for development. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2024.12.008
Coker-Bolt, P., Sears, C.L., Cason, J., & Recigno, T. (2024, September). Grant Award # H325R240040 – Personnel development to improve services and results for children with disabilities—Preparation of related services personnel serving children with disabilities who have high- intensity needs. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. Award: $1,250,000
Sears, C.L., Bishop, E., Blanton, S., Boyd, A., & Chandley, K. (2024). Analysis of lived experiences of caregivers of individuals with chronic illness. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(Supplement_2), 7811500148p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.78S2-PO148
Seamon, B. A., Sears, C. L., Anderson, E., & Velozo, C.A. (2024, August 6). Validating the construct specification equation and gross motor unit as a universal measurement scale and standardized, reproducible unit for gross motor development. Platform presentation, 2024 Inaugural Meeting, Society for the Study of Measurement, Oakland, CA. https://measurementsociety.org/conference/
Sears, C.L., Egan, B., Tomsic, P. and Velozo, C. (2024). Item-level analysis of the revised occupational therapy fieldwork performance evaluation applied in practice. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 12, 145-159. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=133316
Sears, C.L., Chandley, K., Boyd, A., Blanton, S., & Bishop, E. (2024, March 23). Analysis of lived experiences of caregivers of individuals with chronic Illness. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Tracey E. Recigno, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L
Associate Professor & Program Director
Jones, G., Recigno, T., & Gibson, J. (2025, March 20). What has the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) got to do with clinical reasoning? [Webinar]. American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. https://youtu.be/cmtkMqfZQSI
Recigno, T.E., Shepherd, J., Kramer, P., & McHugh Conlin, J. (2024). Defining the future of occupational therapy: A concept analysis of leadership development. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 31(1), 2399701. https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2024.2399709
Coker-Bolt, P., Sears, C., Cason, J., & Recigno, T. (2024, September). Grant Award # H325R240040 – Personnel development to improve services and results for children with disabilities—Preparation of related services personnel serving children with disabilities who have high-intensity needs. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. Award: $1,250,000
Corcoran, S., Recigno, T, & VanWye, W.R. (2025). Leadership. In W.R. VanWye & D. Lunsford (Eds.), Health system management and policy (1st ed., pp. 158-176). Elsevier.
Recigno, T.E., Bell, A., Ferraro, M. (2024, March 22). Exploration of student reflections using the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) as an intervention planning framework. 104th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo: Orlando, FL
Recigno, T. E., Bell, A., & Ferraro, M. (2024). Exploration of Student Reflections using the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) as an Intervention Planning Framework. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 8 (1).
Charisa Smith, PP-OTD, OTR/L, CBIS
Adjunct Faculty
Keech, K. & Smith C. (2024, Oct. 5). Roadmap for recovery: Practical evidence-informed approaches to facilitate recovery after moderate to severe TBI. Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii, OTAH Annual Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.
CLASS OF 2026 SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
Class of 2025 Systematic Reviews
We invite you to explore the unique and impactful scholarship presented here, reflecting the dedication and expertise of the next generation of occupational therapy leaders.
