Danielle Puhatch

Dr. Danielle Puhatch OTD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and clinical assistant professor at Duquesne University. Her clinical background is within pediatric OT practice spanning the full continuum of pediatric occupational therapy practice settings for over 26 years in the greater Pittsburgh and Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. areas. Dr. Puhatch has extensive experience in pediatric sensory processing, feeding, and school-based interventions. Prior to joining the faculty at Duquesne University, Dr. Puhatch served as a full-time faculty and adjunct faculty within other Occupational Therapy and Health Science programs in western Pennsylvania.

As a Duquesne University Occupational Therapy program alumnus, Dr. Puhatch is committed to preparing future occupational therapists to lead collaborative, evidence-informed practice that supports meaningful participation and positive outcomes for children, families, schools, and communities.

• Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: Duquesne University
• Master of Occupational Therapy: Duquesne University
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy: Chatham University

• Collaborative pediatric and school-based occupational therapy practice

• Effective and sustainable service delivery models in school-based settings

• Advancement of interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPC)

• Influences of IPE and IPC on professional identity formation, self-efficacy, confidence, and collaborative competencies among healthcare students and practitioners. 

• Dr. Puhatch has extensive clinical pediatric OT practice within early intervention, schools-based, outpatient, inpatient, and community-based settings.