Cynthia Abbott-Gaffney

Cynthia Abbott-Gaffney serves as an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University's College of Public Health, bringing 23 years of clinical experience in occupational therapy with specialization in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation and pediatric community/school-based interventions.

Her academic credentials include:

• OTD from Boston University
• MA in Occupational Therapy from New York University
• BS in Recreational Therapy from Montclair State University

Research centers on telehealth implementation and assistive technology to address service gaps in underserved areas, with particular emphasis on global practitioner shortages and pediatric school-based applications. Her work bridges clinical practice and technological innovation to enhance service efficiency and accessibility across diverse populations.

Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on telehealth viability from 2019-2023, evolving from pre-pandemic workforce shortage solutions to post-pandemic implementation lessons, with strong thematic connections to home modification models for elderly populations and cross-cultural service delivery.

Professional recognition includes:

• Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA)
• Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer certification

As an educator, she mentors doctoral candidates through capstone projects while teaching core courses in theoretical frameworks, research methodology, and assistive technology. Her conference presentations on post-injury occupational resumption and school-based interventions demonstrate applied research translation despite limited grant documentation in source materials.