Nancy R. Dooley

Nancy R. Dooley, Ph.D., OTR/L, CDP, is the Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program at Johnson & Wales University (JWU). With over 25 years of clinical experience in Rhode Island, she specializes in supporting individuals with mental, physical, and cognitive impairments. She has extensive experience in hospital and community mental health, including work with homeless families and supervision of students in skilled nursing facilities and home care.

• Educational Background: B.S. in Occupational Therapy (Quinnipiac College), M.A. and Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy (New York University).

Her research focuses on functional cognition assessment and improving quality of life for dementia patients and their caregivers. She previously developed Rhode Island’s first occupational therapy master’s program and taught at a Massachusetts state university before joining JWU’s OTD program. Active in advocacy, she collaborates with the Rhode Island Occupational Therapy Association to advance legislative efforts for non-pharmaceutical pain management.

Dooley emphasizes community engagement, leveraging JWU’s Providence campus proximity to elder care and disability support services. The inaugural OTD class of 2022 has already established a strong foundation under her leadership.