Rehabilitation Science University at Buffalo

09/09/2026

UB OT students have been busy in the lab!
Our 3rd-year students kicked off the semester by creating time capsules filled with goals and aspirations for their journey through the program and beyond. It's a meaningful reminder of how far they'll grow as future occupational therapists.
Hands-on learning continues as students sharpen their activity analysis skills, first by exploring the demands of making beaded lizards and now by breaking down the everyday occupation of toothbrushing. Understanding the physical, cognitive, and sensory components of daily activities is a key part of becoming an effective OT practitioner.
Meanwhile, our 4th-year students have been practicing car transfers, building the clinical skills and confidence needed to help clients safely navigate everyday community mobility.
From goal setting to activity analysis to practical intervention skills, every experience helps prepare our students to support participation and independence in meaningful daily occupations.
👏 Keep up the great work, UB OT!

09/03/2026

Welcome, Class of 2029! Our third-year OT students kicked off the semester by exploring South Campus with their advisement groups, locating classrooms, labs, and key campus resources along the way. We're excited to have you and look forward to all you'll accomplish this year.

08/31/2026

Help Us Showcase UB Occupational Therapy! 💙

We're expanding our UB Occupational Therapy social media presence to Instagram () and would love to feature the people and stories that make our community special. We welcome submissions from:

- Students sharing their UB experiences, interests, fieldwork, or career goals
- Alumni highlighting career journeys, accomplishments, service, or life after graduation
- Faculty and staff showcasing teaching, research, scholarship, and program activities
- Anyone connected to UB OT with photos, events, achievements, community engagement, or other content worth celebrating

Completing the form takes just 3-5 minutes, and you can share as much or as little as you'd like. 📋 Submit content here: https://ubsphhp.formstack.com/forms/ot_social

Thank you for helping us create a vibrant online community that celebrates the many people, pathways, and accomplishments of UB OT!

08/19/2026

Calling All UB OT Alumni! 💙

The UB Rehabilitation Science Alumni Committee is working to reconnect with our amazing alumni community! We would love to learn more about where your OT career has taken you and how you'd like to stay engaged with UB OT. Whether you're interested in mentoring students, sharing your professional journey, participating in alumni spotlights, or simply staying connected, we'd love to hear from you.

Please take a few minutes to complete our UB Occupational Therapy Alumni Engagement Interest Survey:

🔗 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/bQ75y9AjVw

We look forward to reconnecting with you!

08/13/2026

A new chapter begins! Welcome Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco, UB's 16th president.

A new chapter begins! Please help us welcome ’s 16th President, Dr. Caroline Attardo Genco, as she embarks on her first official day at UB! 🤘🏼

08/13/2026

On July 23, the UB Office of Interprofessional Education (IPE) led the fourth annual Seventh Generation Operation, hosted by the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The event brought Indigenous and underrepresented students from UB's Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) together with faculty, students, and professionals from across UB for an engaging introduction to health care careers. Students explored:

Case Discussions
Clinical Nutrition
Dental Medicine
Gross Anatomy
Hands-Only CPR
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Pharmacology and Pharmacy
Physical Examination
Physical Therapy
Public Health
Social Work
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Surgical Suite
Traditional Indigenous Medicine
Ultrasound

At the Occupational Therapy stations, OT faculty Chris Stavisky and Kristen Chavanne (Morgus) provided students with a hands-on finger splint creation experience and introduced adaptive equipment, tools, devices, and intervention techniques commonly used by occupational therapists to help individuals across the lifespan achieve independence and participation in daily activities. Students had fun exploring equipment, creating materials, and learning about the diverse role of occupational therapy in health care.

The day highlighted the many pathways within the health professions and the importance of interprofessional collaboration. Thank you to the Jacobs School and all of the faculty, staff, and students who helped make this inspiring experience possible!

08/05/2026

Last week, 's Blue Path high school students stepped into the world of occupational therapy through hands-on activities showcasing how OTs help people participate in the everyday activities that matter most.

07/30/2026

Congratulations to 𝗦𝘂𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼, PT, MA, PhD, FACRM, recipient of the ACRM SCI-ISIG Dr. Margaret Nosek Award.

Dr. Sisto is Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Director of the Biomechanics Lab, and holds an affiliate appointment in the School of Engineering and Applied
Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University at Buffalo (UB), School of Public Health and Health Professions.
This award recognizes her leadership, service, and meaningful contributions to advancing spinal cord injury rehabilitation research and care.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sisto on this well-deserved recognition.

07/29/2026

UBOT Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Melanie Merrill hosted High School students from the SPHHP Blue Path program as they learned about Occupational Therapy - the Sixth Best Healthcare Field according to US News! Learn more about OT at Why Choose OT

07/29/2026

Congratulations to 𝗦𝘂𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼, PT, MA, PhD, FACRM, recipient of the ACRM Women in Rehabilitation Science Award.

Dr. Sisto is Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Director of the Biomechanics Lab, and holds an affiliate appointment in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University at Buffalo (UB), School of Public Health and Health Professions.

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to rehabilitation science and celebrates leadership, excellence, and impact in advancing the field.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sisto on this well-deserved recognition.