Jennifer S. Pitonyak, PhD, OTR/L, SCFES
Associate Professor & Associate Director, School of Occupational Therapy
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania
Master of Science, Occupational Therapy, Program in Occupational Therapy,
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
Doctor of Philosophy, Health Policy, University of the Sciences,
Department of Health Policy & Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Current Certifications and Licensures
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, #1022621
Administration & Interpretation of the Sensory Integration & Praxis Tests, #1424, University of Southern California/Western Psychological Services
Specialty Certification in Feeding, Eating, & Swallowing (SCFES), American Occupational Therapy Association
Certified Infant Massage Instructor, International Loving Touch Foundation, Inc., Portland, OR
Occupational Therapist, State of Washington (OT60462832)
Key Community and University Service
Curriculum Committee, University of Puget Sound
Strategic Planning Goal Team One, University of Puget Sound
MPH Program Planning Group, University of Puget Sound
Legislative Committee, Washington State Occupational Therapy Association
Leadership Team, Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Program, American Occupational Therapy Association
Advisory Committee, Life Course Intervention Research Network, UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families, & Communities
Recent select awards and honors
Pi Theta Epsilon, Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Service Commendation, 9 years of service on the Roster of Accreditation Evaluators, American Occupational Therapy Association
Extra-Extra Award: Best Translation of Research Results to Audience, 2013 CityMatCH Annual Conference, Savannah, GA
recent select professional activities
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
1. Pitonyak, J. S. (2014). The Issue Is--Occupational therapy and breastfeeding promotion: our role in societal health. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(3), 1-8.
2. Pitonyak, J. S., Mroz, T. M., & Fogelberg, D. (2015). Expanding client-centered thinking to include social determinants: A practical scenario based on the occupation of breastfeeding. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 22(4), 277-282. doi:10.3109/11038128.2015.1020865.
3. Jirikowic, T., Pitonyak, J. S., Rollinger, B., Fogelberg, D., Mroz, T. M. & Powell, J. M. (2015). Capstone projects as scholarship of application in entry-level occupational therapy education. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 29(2), 214-222. doi:10.3109/07380577.2015.1017788.
4. Mroz, T. M., Pitonyak, J. S., Fogelberg, D., & Leland, N. (2015). Health Policy Perspectives -- Client-centeredness and health reform: Key issues for occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69, 6905090010. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.695001.
5. Pitonyak, J. S., Jessop, A. B., Pontiggia, L., & Crivelli-Kovach, A. (2016). Life course factors associated with initiation and continuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal Child Health Journal, 20(2), 240-249. doi: 10.1007/s10995-015-1823-x
6. Silverman, A., Pitonyak, J. S., Nelson, I. K., Matsuda, P. N., Kartin, D., & Molton, I. R. (2017). Instilling positive beliefs about disabilities: A test of a novel experiential learning activity for rehabilitation students. Disability and Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1292321
7. Umeda, C. J., Fogelberg, D. J., Jirikowic, T., Pitonyak, J. S., Mroz, T. M., & Ideishi, R. I. (2017). Health Policy Perspectives—Expanding the implementation of the Americans With Disabilities Act for populations with intellectual and developmental disabilities: The role of organization-level occupational therapy consultation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 7104090010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.714001.
8. Arvin, M. K., George-Paschal, L. A., Pitonyak, J. S., & Dunbar, S. M. (2017). Interprofessional Education: Theoretical and Practical Considerations for Occupational Therapy Educators. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 1 (2). Retrieved from http://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol1/iss2/4
9. Kerfeld, C., Pitonyak, J. S., & Jirikowic, T. (2017). Enhancing student interprofessional teamwork and collaboration through pediatric therapy learning experiences. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 31(3), 114-120. DOI: 10.1097/00001416-201731030-00019
10. Hadley, D., Pitonyak, J. S., Wynarczuk, K., Sen, S., Ward, J., & Patel, R. (2018). A pilot IPE workshop integrating OT, Pharmacy, PT & PA programs. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 10, 220-225.
11. Diamant, R. B., Pitonyak, J. S., Corsilles-Sy, C. & James, A. B. (2018). Examining intraprofessional competencies for occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant collaboration. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 23, 1-16.
12. Ordway, A., Pitonyak, J. S., & Johnson, K. (2018). The provision of durable medical equipment and opportunities for reuse. Disability and Rehabilitation, 15(1), 21-28. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2018.1508516.
13. Pitonyak, J. S., Gupta, J., Pergolotti, M. (2020). Health Policy Perspectives—Understanding policy influences on health and occupation through the use of the life course health development (LCHD) framework. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.742002
14. Pitonyak, J. S., Diamant, R. B., Corsilles-Sy, C. & James, A. B. (in press). Examining the educational and clinical learning contexts where occupational therapy practitioners gained competencies for intraprofessional collaboration. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education.
15. Pitonyak, J. S., Nielsen, S., O’Brien, S. P., Corsilles-Sy, C., Olson Lambert, D., & Jaffe, L. E. (in press). Critical thinking in occupational therapy education: A systematic mapping review. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education.
Grants - Funded
Examining pedagogy in a clinical conditions course: strengthening curricular alignment and interprofessional education (IPE). Center for Leadership & Innovation in Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle. October 2014-June 2015. Role: Principal Investigator. (Total award $4,000).
Reducing non-recoverable waste: Examining opportunities for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) reuse within UWMC and HMC. Green Seed Fund, University of Washington, Seattle. February 2015-March 2016. Role: Principal Investigator. (Total award $39,924).
Contextual barriers to family engagement in community social participation: A pilot study. Martin Nelson Summer Award. University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. May – August 2017. Role: Principal Investigator. (Total award $3000).
Family life course health-development through engagement in community social participation. Martin Nelson Summer Award. University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. May – August 2018. Role: Principal Investigator. (Total award $3000).
Infant massage and developmental play group. Strengthening Families Program, Eastside Family Support Center/Molina Health. Tacoma, WA. September 2018 – May 2019. Role: Project leader.
Textbook chapters
1. Pitonyak, J. S. (2014). Occupational therapy evaluation and evidence-based practice. In Hinojosa & Kramer (Eds.). Evaluation: Obtaining and Interpreting Data (4th Ed). Bethesda, MD. AOTA Press. (peer-reviewed chapter)
2. James, A. B. & Pitonyak, J. S. (2018). ADL and IADL. In B. Schell & G. Gillen (Eds.). Willard & Spackman’s Occupational Therapy (13th ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
3. Gupta, J., Lynch, A., Pitonyak, J. S., Rybski, D., & Taff, S. (in press). Adversity in early development: enhancing occupational potential through a Life Course Health Development (LCHD) approach. In H. van Bruggen, N. Pollard, & S. Kantartzis (Eds.). And a seed was planted...' Occupation based approaches for social inclusion. London: Whiting & Birch Ltd.
4. Pitonyak, J. S. (in press). Occupational therapy evaluation and evidence-based practice. In Hinojosa & Kramer (Eds.). Evaluation: Obtaining and Interpreting Data (5th Ed). Bethesda, MD. AOTA Press. (peer-reviewed chapter)
5. Swinth, Y. & Pitonyak, J. S. (in press). Children with prenatal substance exposure and post-natal trauma. In G. F. Clark & S. Parks (Eds.). Best Practices for Occupational Therapy in Early Childhood. AOTA Press.
6. Pitonyak, J. S. & Milton, L. (under contract). Children and youth who have experienced trauma, violence, abuse, adverse life experiences, and toxic stress. In L. C. Grajo & A. K. Boisselle (Eds.). Adaptation, Coping, and Resilience in Children and Youth: A Comprehensive OT Approach. SLACK, Inc.
recent peer-reviewed presentations
1. Pitonyak, J. S., Jafee, L., Nielsen, S. K., Corsilles-Sy, C., & O’Brien, S. P. (September 29, 2016). Critical thinking about occupation: A framework for guiding pedagogy in occupational therapy. Annual Research Conference of the Society for the Study of Occupation: USA. Portland, ME.
2. Dunbar, S. M., Gupta, J., Pitonyak, J. S., & Pergolotti, M. (September 30, 2016). Broadening the occupational science lens: Racial considerations in the landscape of shifting U.S. demographics. Annual Research Conference of the Society for the Study of Occupation: USA. Portland, ME.
3. Knott, L., Kwon, S., Marsh, C., Olson, E., Rosquita, J, & Pitonyak, J. S. (October 8, 2016). Developing an infant massage program in the Snoqualmie Valley. Poster presented at the Washington Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Kennewick, WA.
4. Ideishi, R., Bendixen, R., Benevides, T., Braveman, B., Caldwell, A., Jirikowic, T., Kearney, P., Pfeiffer, B., Pitonyak, J. S., Rosage, L., Santalucia, S., & Umeda, C. (March 29, 2017). Supporting Societal Occupational Needs Through Population and Organizational OT: Gain the Knowledge and Skills to Expand Your Practice. Institute at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
5. Ordway, A., Pitonyak, J. S., & Johnson, K. (April 6, 2017). Durable medical equipment reuse and recycling: Uncovering hidden opportunities for reducing medical waste. Presentation at the 2017 NARRTC Annual Meeting. Alexandria, VA.
6. Pitonyak, J. S., Gupta, J., Tullis, E. & Halfon, H. (October 20, 2017). The importance of life course health-development: Shifting the paradigm in theory, research, and practice. Forum at the 2017 SSO:USA Annual Research Conference. Seattle, WA.
7. Close, T., Figgs, H., Bender, K., Mitchell, C., Ideishi, R., & Pitonyak, J. S. (October 20, 2017). Student voices: A call for equity in representations of gender in occupational science and occupational therapy literature. Forum at the 2017 SSO:USA Annual Research Conference. Seattle, WA.
8. Wilbur, K. & Pitonyak, J. S. (October 20, 2017). Threading occupational science constructs across a curriculum: Preparing moral and global thinking practitioners. Paper at the 2017 SSO:USA Annual Research Conference. Seattle, WA.
9. Jirikowic, T., Pitonyak, J. S., Umeda, C., Fogelberg, D., & Ideishi, R. (October 21, 2017). Community social participation through the lens of individuals with developmental disabilities and families. Forum at the 2017 SSO:USA Annual Research Conference. Seattle, WA.
10. James, A. B., Pitonyak, J. S., Diamant, R. B., & Corsilles-Sy, C. (October 27, 2017). Preparing for intraprofessional practice: Examining methods of learning competencies for OT-OTA collaboration. Poster at the 2017 AOTA Education Summit. Forth Worth, TX.
11. Diamant, R. B., Corsilles-Sy, C., Pitonyak, J. S., & James, A. B. (October 28, 2017). Examining competencies for intraprofessional collaboration in the OT/OTA relationship. Presentation at the 2017 AOTA Education Summit. Fort Worth, TX.
12. Pitonyak, J. S. (April 20, 2018). Sustainability in healthcare: Examining opportunities for durable medical equipment reuse and recycling. Poster at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Salt Lake City, UT.
13. Pitonyak, J. S., Baccus, D., & Kasovac, N. (September 28, 2018). Racial disparities in life course health-development: Radical transformations in education & public health programs to support breastfeeding. Presentation at the 2018 Race and Pedagogy National Conference, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA.
14. Wilbur, K. & Pitonyak, J. S. (September 29, 2018). Threading occupational science constructs across a curriculum: Preparing moral and global thinking practitioners. Presentation at the 2018 Race and Pedagogy National Conference, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA.
15. George-Paschal, L., Bilics, A., James, A., Giles, A., Piernik-Yoder, B., Pitonyak, J. S., & Taff, S. (April 3, 2019). (AOTA) Scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) institute and mentoring program. Pre conference institute at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.
16. Briggs, K., Kirchen, T., Jones, J., Keefe, C., Krusen, N., & Pitonyak, J. S. (April 4, 2019). (SIS) AESIS Fostering critical reasoning and thinking skills: Four different pedagogical approaches in the OT and OTA curriculum. Short course at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.
17. Swinth, Y., Pitonyak, J. S., Lynch, A., & Ashcraft, R. (April 5, 2019). (SIS) CYSIS Trauma and adversity: The role of occupational therapy in improving outcomes for children and families. Short course at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.
18. Pitonyak, J. S., Jirikowic, T., Rosquita, J., & Swinth, Y. (October 12, 2019). The Role of Occupational Therapy with Children and Youth with Prenatal Substance Exposure and Related Developmental Trauma. Workshop at WOTACON. Auburn, WA.
19. George-Paschal, L., Piernik-Yoder, B., Giles, A., Pitonyak, J. S., & Taff, S. (October 18, 2019). Looking back & moving forward: Reflections on outcomes of a national scholarship of teaching & learning (SoTL) institute for OT and OTA faculty. Platform presentation at the AOTA Education Summit. Las Vegas, NV.
20. Wilbur, K., Pitonyak, J. S., & Zylstra, S. (October 18, 2019). Campus & community clinics: Designing experiential learning to meet the needs of diverse communities. Poster presentation at the AOTA Education Summit. Las Vegas, NV.