Sara Brito

Sara Brito is an Associate Professor at Eastern Kentucky University specializing in occupational therapy, with clinical expertise in hand and upper limb rehabilitation and brachial plexus injury recovery. She actively addresses rural health disparities through workforce development initiatives and maintains strong professional engagement via multiple associations.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. from Monash University
• M.O.T. from Curtin University
• M.Ed. from University of South Australia
• B.Sc. from Butler University

Research focuses on psychosocial rehabilitation after brachial plexus injury, evidence-based hand therapy protocols, and systemic solutions for rural healthcare access. Her work bridges clinical practice with community health advocacy, emphasizing patient participation and workforce innovation in underserved areas.

Publication trends reveal interdisciplinary collaboration across rehabilitation science, rural health education, and public health. Key themes include culturally responsive fieldwork training, community-based men's health interventions, and transportation accessibility, consistently employing mixed-methods approaches to address complex rehabilitation challenges.

Professional affiliations and certifications include:

• Accredited Hand Therapist (Australian Hand Therapy Association)
• Member of American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Member of Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association (KOTA)
• Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR/L)
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Registration