Kyle O'Brien

Kyle O'Brien is a tenured Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Health Science at Southern Connecticut State University. He serves as the Founding Academic Fieldwork Coordinator/Director of Clinical Education and Experiential Learning for the graduate Occupational Therapy program and as Director of the undergraduate Health Science (BHSc) program.

• PhD in Social Work, New York University Silver School of Social Work
• DHSc in Health Science, Nova Southeastern University
• MSOT in Occupational Therapy, Sacred Heart University
• MSW in Social Work, New York University Silver School of Social Work

Dr. O'Brien's research focuses on integrated primary and behavioral health care, interprofessional healthcare practice and education, patient engagement in rehabilitation, and the application of positive psychology and neuroscience in clinical settings. His work explores the bidirectional relationship between illness/disability and mental health, emphasizing hope, motivation, and resilience in healthcare contexts.

His recent publications address licensure barriers for underdocumented individuals in occupational therapy, posttraumatic growth in children, and the impact of psychological factors on burn recovery. These works span themes of health equity, trauma resilience, and clinical innovation.

• J. Philip Smith Award for Outstanding Teaching (2019)
• Fellowship in Adaptive Leadership, New York University

Dr. O'Brien has secured grants for projects such as 'Examining Dementia Depiction in Children's Literature' and 'Enhancing Health Science Curriculum with Medical Documentation Writing.' He mentors student research for peer-reviewed publication and teaches fieldwork seminars, blending interprofessional education with experiential learning.