Kathryn D Burke (she/her)
Assistant Professor College of Health & Wellness Occupational Therapy Providence
Biography and Expertise
Kate Burke, OTD, OTR (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. In addition to teaching, Kate serves as a capstone mentor and faculty fieldwork educator. Kate earned a B.S. from Worcester State University in 1998 and her PP-OTD from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2021. She had over 20 years of experience in skilled nursing and acute rehabilitation before transitioning to academia. Kate is passionate about advancing equitable access to sexuality, gender & intimacy occupations through education, program development & research. She has presented at state & national conferences and several colleges and universities. Kate was elected to the board of The Network for LGBTQIA+ Concerns in Occupational Therapy as a Member at Large in 2025. She also serves as their Community of Practice Coordinator, cultivating a safe, professional networking space where OT students, academics, clinicians, and researchers can collaborate.
Education
Post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
BS
Worcester State University
Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR)
National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
CPR
American Heart Association
MoCA
MoCA Cognition
OT License 2025-27
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health
Occupational Therapist
Rhode Island Department of Health
CPR
Red Cross
OT License 2023-25
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health
MoCA
MoCA Cognition
OT License 2021-2023
Massachusetts Board of Allied Health
CPR
Red Cross
World Federation of Occupational Therapy
Amercian Occupational Therapy Association
Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapists
Burke, K. & Elwood, T.
“Sexual Intimacy in Person’s with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (PALS) and their Partners: A Pilot Study.”
Journal of Allied Health
53
3
212-217
Educating Birthing Professionals About The Benefits of OT & PT in the Acute Post-Partum Period
Poster
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
Effect of Neuro-Affirming Sexual Health Education on Health Literacy of Neurodivergent Young Adults & Adolescents
Poster
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
The Impact of a Supplemental Educational Series on Provider Preparedness to Care for Sexual & Gender Minorities
Poster
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
The Impact of Community-based Educational Workshops on the Sexual Health Literacy and Sexual Satisfaction of LGBTQ+ Adults
Poster
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
The Impact of Post-Secondary Skills Training on Job-Readiness for Young Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities
Poster
2026 Student Research, Design & Innovation Symposium
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
We Need to Talk About Gender Affirming Care
Panel Moderation
Annual Conference
MAOT/RIOTA
Four Points Sheraton
Norwood
MA
Addressing Sexuality with Rehab Clients
Webinar
Next Level Home & Community Therapist Network
virtual
“What Matters to Me and Why” series
Panel Presentation
COTAD Chapter Meeting
COTAD USAHS-San Marcos
online
Let’s Talk about Sexual Health Literacy and Occupational Therapy
Podcast interview
OT JEDI podcast
Effectiveness of Occupation-Based Mindfulness Strategies for Older Adults Experiencing Anxiety or Depression
Poster
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
The Impact of Combining Aquatic and Traditional Therapy on Older Adult’s Quality of Life: An Occupational Therapy Perspective
Poster
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Occupation-Based Programming on the Sexual Health Literacy of Older Adults Living with HIV
Poster
AOTA Inspire 2025
AOTA
Philadelphia Convention Center
Philadelphia
PA
Addressing Sex & Pleasure with Rehab Clients
Lecture
ECMC Rehab Symposium
ECMC Center for Rehabilitation Services
Buffalo
NY
Interprofessional Collaboration: Designing Play Spaces for Older Adults
Poster
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
Understanding and Incorporating Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom
Panel Presentation
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
Improving Health Literacy Through Revision of Educational Materials for Pelvic Health Considerations During Labor & Birth
Poster
MAOT/RIOTA Annual Conference
MAOT/RIOTA
Four Points Sheraton
Norwood
MA
United States
Interprofessional Collaboration: Designing Play Spaces for Older Adults
Poster
MAOT/RIOTA Annual Conference
MAOT/RIOTA
Four Points Sheraton
Norwood
MA
Gender Affirming Care: What It Is & Why It Matters
Panel Moderation
JWU OTD
Bowen Presentation Room and Zoom
Pelvic Health & Capstone Opportunity
Lecture
Pelvic Health Community of Practice
AOTA
virtual
Addressing Sexuality with Older Adults
Lecture
Geriatric Virtual Summit
Next Level Occupational Therapy
online
Addressing Sexual Health Literacy Among Older Adults Through Educational Programming
Poster
Student Symposium
JWU
Just A Quickie: Addressing Sexuality in OT Practice
Lecture
Guest lecture
Stonehill College
virtual
Just a Quickie – Sex in OT Practice
Lecture
Special topics course
Regis College
Weston
MA
United States
Design & Disability
Lecture
Design + Disability: Communication Tools
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence
United States
What is Occupational Therapy
Oral Presentation
Career Day
Ford Middle School
Ford Middle School
Acushnet
MA
Gratitude is our Jam
Poster
Faculty Expo
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
Addressing Sexuality with Older Adults
Lecture
Geriatric Virtual Summit
PESI
online
Dating with Disability
live presentation with Q & A
JWU OTD
Providence