Michele Peterson, EdD, OTR/L is an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Occupational Therapy program in the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions at Gwynedd Mercy University. She has been a licensed occupational therapist (OTR®) for more than 25 years and has extensive clinical experience in pediatrics, including school-based practice, preschool programs, early intervention (birth to three), and pediatric inpatient and outpatient settings.
Dr. Peterson joined Gwynedd Mercy University in 2017 as the founding Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Occupational Therapy program. In this role, she has developed and expanded the program's fieldwork education network, established innovative community-based fieldwork experiences, and established partnerships that provide students with meaningful and diverse clinical learning opportunities.
Dr. Peterson earned her Doctor of Education (EdD) degree with a concentration in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at Gwynedd Mercy University; she is passionate about occupational therapy education, fieldwork development, and preparing future practitioners through meaningful clinical learning experiences. She earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University and both a Bachelor of Science and an Associate degree in Occupational Therapy from The Pennsylvania State University.
Her teaching and scholarly interests include fieldwork education, professional development, early intervention, transitions to adulthood, and innovative approaches to occupational therapy education.
