Sarah McKinnon

Sarah McKinnon, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She founded the institution's Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) program, the first such program integrating justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) principles and interprofessional collaboration with the SLP-D program. Her roles include Program Director of the PP-OTD program and Government Representative for the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy (MAOT).

Education: She holds a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and MSOT from Boston University, an MPA with a health administration certification from Roger Williams University, and a BS in Therapeutic Studies with a business minor. Her professional certifications include Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR) and Fellow distinctions from AOTA and the National Academies of Practice.

Research focuses on public policy advocacy, virtual education outcomes, acute care, and addressing healthcare disparities through interprofessional education. She examines climate change impacts on health professionals' roles, interventions for aphasia, and supporting children experiencing homelessness. Her work emphasizes JEDI integration in curricula and practitioner training.

Awards highlight her leadership and contributions to occupational therapy, including the 2022 FAOTA Fellowship and the 2021 Linda Savino Award for political activism. She actively presents at national and international conferences, such as the World Federation of Occupational Therapy and AOTA INSPIRE.

Her professional service includes roles on the AOTPAC Board and advancing policy initiatives. Media highlights include recent contributions to OT-Europe Congress and National Academies of Practice leadership.