Nicole A. Fidanza

Nicole A. Fidanza is a Clinical Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Program Director of the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University, where she has been a dedicated faculty member since 2011. She holds a BS, MOT, and OTD from Quinnipiac University and is a licensed occupational therapist in Connecticut.

• Degree: OTD, Quinnipiac University
• Degree: MOT, Quinnipiac University
• Degree: BS, Quinnipiac University

Her research and scholarship focus on gerontology, neurorehabilitation, frailty, and social participation in older adults. She developed the Opportunity to Thrive program, a community-based initiative addressing frailty in senior housing through secondary prevention. Her work emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, health literacy, and age-friendly community development.

Her recent publications and presentations span topics including fall prevention, nutrition management, ageism, human-animal bonds in aging, and academic-community partnerships. These works reflect a strong trend in applying occupational therapy principles to real-world, community-based settings to enhance the well-being of older adults.

She has delivered numerous invited talks and media interviews on ageism, dementia caregiving, and age-friendly initiatives, demonstrating her role as a public advocate for healthy aging.

Nicole Fidanza mentors students through doctoral projects and fieldwork, teaching courses such as Neurorehabilitation, Applied Neuroscience, and Leadership. She has received no explicitly named scientific awards, but her leadership in program development and community engagement reflects professional excellence.

She leads initiatives such as the Age-Friendly University effort at Quinnipiac and has established partnerships with senior housing communities to support resident-centered care models.