Susan D. Charnley

Susan D. Charnley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Midwestern University's College of Health Sciences-Downers Grove. She holds dual roles as an academic and a clinical practitioner, currently serving as a Staff Occupational Therapist at Midwest Hand Surgery. Her expertise spans hand rehabilitation, edema management, and chronic health condition self-management, with a focus on pediatric diabetes care and post-surgical recovery.

Dr. Charnley's educational background includes a DrOT from Governors State University (2016), an MSOT from Western Michigan University (1998), and an SPHR from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1996). She is certified as a Hand Therapist (CHT) and holds certifications in Academic Leadership through the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as Analysis of Occupations, Movement for Occupation, and Self Management, with recent course activities recorded through 2025. She maintains clinical practice in outpatient settings and emphasizes holistic approaches to patient care.

Proficient in Spanish (Latin American), she integrates linguistic and cultural competency into her academic and clinical work.