Regina Parnell

Regina Parnell serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she holds dual administrative roles as Level I Fieldwork Coordinator and Master of Occupational Therapy Admissions Coordinator.

Her academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Medical Sociology, Wayne State University (2007)
• MS in Occupational Therapy, Rush University (1987)
• BS in Biology and Psychology, Loyola University (1981)

Dr. Parnell's research program critically examines health disparities through intersecting lenses of race, gender, and social context. Her seminal work investigates mental health outcomes among African American women experiencing intimate partner violence, while concurrently exploring leisure occupations in elderly populations using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). This dual focus bridges clinical occupational therapy practice with sociological analysis of systemic inequalities.

Her publication trajectory from 2009-2015 reveals consistent thematic development across three domains: mental health assessment frameworks for NBCOT certification, gerontological intervention models, and social determinants of Black women's mental health. These works collectively demonstrate methodological rigor in addressing healthcare disparities through occupation-centered therapeutic approaches.

Professional recognition includes:

• Graduate Research Award Recipient, WSU Department of Sociology (2005)

Through her coordination of fieldwork placements and admissions, Dr. Parnell shapes the next generation of occupational therapists while actively engaging Detroit communities via Lori's Hands program. Her teaching portfolio spans Life Occupations II and Therapeutic Media courses across multiple academic terms, directly linking classroom theory to community-based practice in underserved urban settings.