Doctor of Occupational Therapy Faculty

Faculty

Dr. Michael J. Gerg, DOT, OTR/L, CHT
Program Director
Associate Professor

Dr. Andrea Kessler, OTR/L, DPT, EdD
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor

Dr. Andrea Kessler, OTR/L, PT, DPT, EdD, is an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Wilson College. She is a dual-licensed occupational therapist and physical therapist with more than two decades of clinical experience and over a decade of experience in higher education. Her areas of clinical expertise include acute care, orthopedics, vestibular and concussion management, pelvic health, lifestyle medicine, and clinical education.

Dr. Kessler earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh, her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University, and her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in healthcare administration, rehabilitation services, workforce development, and health professions education.

As Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Dr. Kessler leads the development of innovative fieldwork education experiences, cultivates partnerships with clinical and community organizations, and mentors future occupational therapists as they prepare for clinical practice. Her scholarly interests include interprofessional education, clinical education, culturally responsive teaching, workforce development, and healthcare advocacy. She has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented nationally, and remains actively engaged in professional organizations at the regional and national levels. Her commitment to lifelong learning, community engagement, and student success informs her teaching philosophy and passion for advancing occupational therapy education.

Learn more about Dr. Kessler's perspective on how to bring your best self to occupational therapy, starting with fieldwork.

Dr. Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L, OTA, HWC
Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
Assistant Professor

Dr. Cheryl Boucakis, MOT, OTD, OTR/L
Coordinator of Curriculum
Associate Professor

Dr. Melissa Green, MOT, OTD, OTR/L
Coordinator of Admissions
Associate Professor

Dr. Sowmya Ganesh, DOT, MS, OTR/L, SIPT, CTP, ASDCS
Coordinator of Student Affairs and Assistant Professor

Mission

Dr. Ganesh believes that occupational therapy extends beyond individual intervention to creating opportunities for meaningful participation, a sense of belonging, and improved quality of life. Guided by compassion, respect, and a holistic understanding of each person, she believes in giving her best, whether working with one individual or an entire community, recognizing that every effort, big or small, can make a difference. Through education, mentorship, and service, she strives to inspire future occupational therapists to become thoughtful, culturally responsive practitioners who value each individual's dignity, embrace lifelong learning, and advocate for equitable opportunities for individuals, families, and communities.

History

Dr. Sowmya Ganesh's journey into occupational therapy began with an experience that changed her professional path. After studying chemistry, computer languages, and social work, she witnessed the impact of occupational therapy on her godson with severe autism. This experience inspired her to pursue a profession that aligned her interests in science, human development, and helping others.

She earned her master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and a post-professional doctorate from Temple University. With two decades of clinical experience, her background spans acute care, hand therapy, early intervention, school-based, outpatient, and community-based practice. She is also the owner of Bala Therapy Services, where she has provided clinical services, supervision, and mentorship.

As an educator, Dr. Ganesh draws on her diverse experiences to connect classroom learning with clinical practice. She has presented at state, national, and international conferences on neurodiversity, inclusion, mentorship, and occupational justice. Her involvement in service initiatives supporting orphanages internationally has deepened her commitment to underserved populations and enabling equitable opportunities for meaningful participation.

Research Interests

• Pediatric mental health and trauma-informed occupational therapy
• Sensory integration and development of inclusive programs for neurodivergent individuals
• Impact of yoga, mindfulness and alternate therapies on quality of life and occupational performance
• Occupational justice, health equity, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Emerging roles of occupational therapy in community and population health

One Fun Fact: I returned to school for occupational therapy while raising three young children. It was a busy chapter of life, but it taught me that there is rarely a "perfect" time to follow a passion and that unexpected paths can lead to the most rewarding places.

Learn more about Dr. Ganesh follows her purpose to make an impact.

Dr. Douglas Rakoski, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor

Dr. Douglas Rakoski is an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Wilson College. He is a licensed occupational therapist, educator, and rehabilitation technology specialist with more than two decades of experience in neurological rehabilitation, assistive technology, and occupational therapy education.

Dr. Rakoski earned his Bachelor of Arts in Health Science–Occupational Therapy and Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from The College of St. Scholastica and his Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Creighton University. Before joining Wilson College, he served for nearly a decade as an Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University. His teaching experience includes functional anatomy, kinesiology, neurological rehabilitation, physical disabilities, assistive technology, evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and professional leadership. He has also provided instructional content and invited presentations for occupational therapy programs across the country.

Dr. Rakoski’s clinical career has centered on neurological rehabilitation and the use of technology to promote independence and participation. He has practiced at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, the University of Michigan Health System, and Loma Linda University Medical Center. Across these settings, he developed and managed technology-based rehabilitation services and worked extensively with individuals with spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other complex neurological conditions. His clinical expertise includes computer access, electronic aids to daily living, augmentative and alternative communication, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, accessible gaming, and emerging rehabilitation technologies.

His scholarly interests focus on the integration of assistive and everyday technologies into occupational therapy education and practice. He has contributed to federally and professionally funded research involving spinal cord injury, stroke rehabilitation, computer-based therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and mobile arm support systems. His current work examines how occupational therapy programs prepare students to use assistive technology in practice and how technology-supported interventions can enhance participation, clinical outcomes, and quality of life.

Dr. Rakoski’s approach to education emphasizes experiential learning, intellectual curiosity, and the application of foundational knowledge to authentic clinical problems. He is particularly committed to helping students develop the confidence, adaptability, and clinical reasoning needed to become thoughtful and innovative occupational therapists.

His professional interests include assistive technology education, technology-supported neurological rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, virtual reality, accessible gaming, and experiential learning in occupational therapy education.

Learn more about Dr. Rakoski's views on why OT matters.

Staff