Michelle Bradshaw

Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
School: School of Health Sciences and Human Performance
Phone: 607-274-3160
Office: Smiddy Hall 205, Ithaca, NY 14850
Specialty: Adults with Physical Disabilities; Integrative Health in OT Education and Practice

I grew up in Seneca Falls, NY and have enjoyed both ends of Cayuga Lake most of my life. I earned my BS in occupational therapy from Boston University and my Doctor of Chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College. I bring clinical expertise from both occupational therapy and chiropractic practice with me into the classroom, offering a unique perspective on health and the healthcare system. I consider myself to be a generalist who is able to work with most any occupational therapy clients in most any practice setting. Prior to entering academia, I worked with adults in various hospital settings as an occupational therapist and in private practice as a chiropractor.

I am passionate about ensuring students develop the knowledge, skills, and professionalism needed to be intellectually engaged, competent, and open-minded occupational therapy practitioners.  I teach courses focusing on the human body as a system, clinical application of occupational therapy with adult populations, diversity, research, and the inclusion of complementary health approaches and integrative health in education and practice.

The area of that inspires me and is the focus of my scholarly work is integrating complementary health approaches (CHA) content into occupational therapy education. As the momentum for including diverse health practices into occupational therapy continues to build, so does my passion towards advocating for broadening awareness of this complex topic among faculty and students alike. 

In my free time I enjoy being in nature, eating a great meal from a local restaurant, warming up next to a fire, or enjoying live music at an outdoor venue.

Current Courses
Functional Human Anatomy
Kinesiology
Applied Interventions
Ithaca Free Clinic
ICC Capstone in OT
Complementary Health Approaches, Integrative Health, and OT