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Biography
Cristina Dumitrescu, EdD, MS, OTR/L, is an assistant professor and director of the Division of
Occupational Therapy at Binghamton University's Decker College of Nursing and Health
Sciences. With more than 28 years of experience in the occupational therapy profession, she
brings a distinguished background spanning clinical practice, rehabilitation administration,
academic leadership, curriculum development, accreditation, and scholarly inquiry. Her work
integrates clinical expertise, learning science, professional reasoning, and educational innovation
to advance occupational therapy education and prepare competent, reflective practitioners.
Before joining Binghamton University in 2024, Dumitrescu served as director of the
Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Mercy University and spent more than 18 years in
rehabilitation services leadership. At Binghamton, she led the entry-level Doctor of Occupational
Therapy (EL-OTD) program through initial accreditation by the Accreditation Council for
Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), achieving the maximum seven-year accreditation
period, and supported the inaugural doctoral cohort through graduation in 2026. Her current
leadership focuses on academic excellence, faculty development, curricular innovation, research
advancement, and strategic partnerships.
Her scholarship advances occupational therapy and health professions education through the
integration of learning science, professional reasoning, evidence-informed teaching, and
emerging technologies. Her research examines metacognition, self-regulated learning, student
success, competency development, and professional identity formation, with particular interest in
artificial intelligence-supported learning, immersive virtual reality, and innovative educational
assessment. Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications, authored book
chapters, original educational frameworks, and national and international conference
presentations. She also contributes to scholarly peer review and editorial activities for academic
journals, publishers, and professional conferences.
Beyond her institutional responsibilities, Dumitrescu serves as an ACOTE accreditation
evaluator and contributes to national and state professional initiatives through the American
Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, and the New York State Occupational Therapy Association. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing occupational therapy education, strengthening professional standards, and preparing reflective, competent practitioners for evolving healthcare environments.
Education
- EdD, health sciences with specialties in teaching and learning, University of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Fla., 2022
- BS/MS, occupational therapy, Touro University, New York, N.Y., 2008
- AAS, occupational therapy assistant, Mercy University, N.Y., 1998
Research Interests
- Occupational therapy education and professional reasoning
- Metacognition, self-regulated learning, and academic success
- Competency-based education, assessment, and practice readiness
- Artificial intelligence-supported professional reasoning and learning
- Immersive virtual reality and technology-enhanced education
- Professional identity formation and professional socialization
- Educational innovation, curriculum evaluation, and scholarship of teaching and learning
- Interprofessional and collaborative approaches to health professions education
Teaching Interests
- Occupational therapy education and curriculum design
- Professional and clinical reasoning
- Metacognitive strategies and self-regulated learning
- Experiential, active, and case-based learning
- Neuroscience and its application to occupational therapy practice
- Leadership, administration, and professional development
- Competency-based assessment and licensure examination preparation
- Interprofessional education and collaborative practice
- Technology-enhanced teaching and learning
Clinical Interests
- Geriatric occupational therapy and aging
- Cognitive and functional rehabilitation
- Mental and behavioral health
- Occupational participation and person-centered care
- Rehabilitation administration and service delivery
- Clinical program development, quality improvement, and outcomes assessment
- Health literacy and interdisciplinary care
Honors and Awards
- 2024 — Pillar of Excellence in Leadership, Occupational Therapy Program Leadership
Recognition, Mercy University - 2016 — Service Commendation, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Community of Leaders and Middle Managers Program
- 2016 — Alumni Award for Professional Accomplishments, Touro College
- 2015 — Service Commendation, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Community of Leaders and Middle Managers Program
- 2015 — Merit Award for Significant Contributions to the Profession, New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA)