Suzanne Rappaport

Dr. Suzanne Rappaport serves as Assistant Professor and Post-Professional OTD Program Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy at SUNY Downstate's School of Health Professions. She concurrently holds leadership roles as NYSOTA Board Trustee and AOTA Commission on Education Committee Member, driving state and national occupational therapy policy.

Her academic credentials include:

• OTD from Tufts University
• MS from Tufts University
• BFA from Syracuse University

Dr. Rappaport pioneers integrative therapeutic models blending circus arts with occupational therapy, focusing on pediatric mental health for autistic adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities. Her OT JEDI podcast advances social and occupational justice through critical discourse on culturally responsive practice and sensory diversity. Clinical innovations span adaptive sports instruction and community-based circus therapy programs.

Recent publications (2014-2025) reveal an evolving scholarly trajectory from therapeutic circus applications toward urgent contemporary themes: mental health resilience in neurodivergent youth, sensory-inclusive education, and leadership development. Her work consistently bridges clinical practice with systemic advocacy for healthcare equity.

No scientific awards are documented in source materials.

As OTD Program Coordinator, Dr. Rappaport shapes advanced practitioner education though specific advising details remain unspecified. Her community initiatives—including homeless services leadership and adaptive sports volunteer training—demonstrate program development expertise beyond traditional grant-funded research.

Current professional impact centers on community therapeutic programs integrating circus arts and adaptive sports, alongside policy work through NYSOTA and AOTA that influences occupational therapy education standards nationwide.