Education
BS Health Studies, Utica College
MS Occupational Therapy, Utica College
Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Chatham University
Background
Dr. Brittany Adams joined the faculty at Western New England University in 2017 as an inaugural faculty member of the program and was appointed Program Director and Chair in 2022. Prior to this, Dr. Adams worked in multiple settings, primarily with the adult and aging population and in management positions. These settings include skilled nursing, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health, as well as some work as a traveling occupational therapist. She also has experience working in school-based occupational therapy. Dr. Adams is an active member of AOTA and serves as the Vice President for the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy (MAOT).
Dr. Adams's primary areas of clinical interest include neurorehabilitation, physical dysfunction, and seating and positioning, with an emerging interest in driving rehabilitation. Dr. Adams engages learners in the classroom-laboratory setting teaching a foundational skills-based course. Additionally, Dr. Adams serves as faculty mentor to many students completing their doctoral capstone projects, such as guiding students through the development of our student-led pro bono OT center called the BEAR PAW (Bringing Equity Accessibility and Rehabilitation to People Achieving Wellness) Center. Her research interests focus on leadership, the impacts of environmental contexts on the student learning experience, and the scholarship of teaching and learning particularly related to inclusive andragogy. To promote occupational balance, Dr. Adams enjoys traveling, camping, and most of all, spending time with her husband, Nick, sons, Jack and Weston, and dog, Denver.
