Contact Information

Biography

Michelle McCann has been an occupational therapy practitioner for over 27 years, serving in roles from clinician, program developer, support group coordinator, program director, and quality director.  In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she has served as adjunct faculty at a number of occupational therapy programs prior to joining the faculty at Duquesne University.  Primary practice areas include program development and advancement of interventions and access to care for those needing neurorehabilitation after stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis (MS), and other neurodegenerative conditions.   Her scholarly interests include advocacy with caregiver education and support programs, access to long-term supports after chronic injury, and disease self-management.  She has presented at various professional conferences on healthcare quality outcomes in medical rehabilitation, stroke/brain injury/ MS rehabilitation, and bariatric care.  She is certified with the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association® (C/NDT), Brain Injury Association of America’s Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS), and Uniform Data Set for Medical Rehabilitation as a Prospective Payment Specialist (PPSC).  She dedicates her time serves on the board of several community and professional organizations.  

Education

  • OTD, Chatham University, 2017
  • B.S., Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh 1995

School

Current Teaching (2022):
OCCT 520 Neurological &Sensorimotor Function II - Lab Assistant
OCCT 537 Human Motion and Movement - Lab Assistant
OCCT 310 Occupational Performance Across the Lifespan
OCCT 548 Medical Conditions in Occupational Therapy
Informal and formal caregiver wellness and advocacy; chronic neurological injury (stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease); telehealth interventions and mobile health initiatives improving participation and health in community settings; behavioral health services across the lifespan; quality improvement/quality care initiatives impacting public safety; technology and rehabilitation, cultural competency in healthcare settings addressing health disparities.

Uniform Data Systems for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSmr®) National Conference Guest Speaker User Group Conferences - March 2013 and May 2013 - Using Outcome Measurement in Program Development

Uniform Data Systems for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSmr®) National Annual Conference Guest Speaker August 2013 - Building Upon and Sustaining Best Practices Using Disease Specific Programs

POTA Conference Speaker (Fall 2013/ presentation with Dr. DeIuliis Duquesne University)

Using the Colloborative Fieldwork Experience in Level II Fieldwork Experience

HealthSouth Corporation Annual Director of Therapy and Chief Nursing Meeting July 2014 for Program Outcomes

POTA Conference Speaker October 2017 for Caregiver Health and Wellness

AOTA Conference Speaker April 2018 for Caring for Individual's With Chronic Neurological Needs

HealthSouth Corporation Annual Director of Quality and Risk Management June 2018 Clinical Research Promoting Caregiver Needs

Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Poster Presentation October 2018 Providing for Acute Inpatient Caregiver Needs

American Heart and Stroke Association November 2020 Caregiver Social Media Series

American Heart and Stroke Association May 2021 Caring for Those with Stroke Series

  • Homer C. Hetrick, MD Award for Excellence in Promoting Healthcare (1991)
  • Jostens Foundation Top Ten Students Entering Rehabilitation Award (1995)
  • Pennsylvania Acute Rehabilitation Leadership Award Recipient (2011)
  • HealthSouth Corporation Therapy Leadership Co-Director of the Year (2012)
  • Community Servant Leadership Award Duquesne University (2013)
  • The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania Achievement Award (2013)
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Leadership Institute/Service Commendations (2014, 2016, 2017)