Kristine L Haertl

Kristine L Haertl, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) program at St. Catherine University, where she has been since 1997. She teaches across occupational science, educational methods, sensory-perceptual-cognitive processing, and mental health practice, and has contributed to legislative changes in Minnesota through mental health research. Additionally, she has served on the CORE Lead committee and teaches in psychology and the university’s CORE program.

Dr. Haertl holds a Ph.D. and has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2008 Faculty of the Year Teaching and Advising Award, FAOTA Fellowship (2012), and induction into the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Leaders and Legacy Society (2015). She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tasks Unlimited (2019) and the Group Fitness Instructor of the Year Awards (2003).

Her research explores peer-supported mental health housing models and psychiatric occupational therapy clinic efficacy, securing funding for Fairweather housing units. She maintains a private practice for individuals with psychiatric disorders and developmental disabilities. Beyond academia, she chairs a Minnesota mental health board, leads the Tasks Unlimited Training Center board, sits on Tasks Inc.’s executive board, and has over 35 years of group fitness instruction experience.