At a key transition point in their studies, occupational therapy students across all USAHS campuses participate in a meaningful ritual, witnessed by family and friends. The OT pinning ceremony marks the end of the classroom portion of their studies and the beginning of their fieldwork. For Residential MOT and OTD students, this happens in their fourth term, and for Flex, in the seventh term.
A longstanding tradition in OT practice, the pin celebrates the diversity of practice areas, the client-centered nature of our practice and the values of our profession.
“It’s an opportunity for faculty to acknowledge our students’ transition from classroom learning to clinical learning,” says Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L, director of the entry-level OT programs on Read more
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in occupational therapy, Texas Woman’s University
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD), South University
Master of Strategic Studies (MSS), U.S. Army War College
Master of Science (MS) in occupational therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago
Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) degree in OT, University of Florida
Diploma, Physical Therapy Specialist, United States Army Academy of Health Sciences
Research Interests
Occupational Therapy for Veterans with Combat-Related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
The Role of Exercise and Physical Activity on Mental Health
BACKGROUND
Dr. Gerardi joined the university in 2017. He previously served as the inaugural Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Brown Mackie College – San Antonio. Other past academic appointments include Visiting Instructor in the Exercise Science Program at Saint Mary’s University; an adjunct faculty member in the Baylor University/U.S. Army Doctor of Science in Occupational Therapy Program; Instructor and Chief of the Occupational Therapy Branch at the Army Medical Department Center and School.
Prior to pursuing his academic career, Dr. Gerardi retired from the U.S. Army in 2012, as a Lieutenant Colonel, after a 33-year career. Before discovering occupational therapy, Dr. Gerardi was trained as an Army physical therapy specialist. After becoming an occupational therapist, he spent much of his career working with clients with upper extremity neuromusculoskeletal conditions. He became a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and was certified from 2003 until 2012. He has also spent several years working with clients with mental health conditions. He has worked in in-patient psychiatry, substance abuse rehabilitation, and has commanded an Army Combat Stress Control Detachment.
Dr. Gerardi’s awards include The Order of Military Medical Merit, the “A” proficiency designator (awarded by The Surgeon General of the Army in acknowledgment of achieving the highest level of professional achievement within the field of occupational therapy) and the Myra McDaniels Writers Award, for the paper “The management of battle-fatigued soldiers: An occupational therapy model.”
Dr. Gerardi has also been active in the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). He coauthored the AOTA Societal Statement on Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress; served on the AOTA Ad Hoc Group on Disaster Preparedness and Response; served as a member of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Task Force on Occupation in Societal Crises; and coauthored the original AOTA concept paper on The Role of Occupational Therapy in Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery.
Dr. Gerardi has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals including the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Military Medicine, the U.S. Army Medical Department Journal, and WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation.
