A new assistant professor for TCU’s recently launched Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) aims to help students become “thoughtful, client-centered professionals.” Leah Botkin, Ph.D., OTR, brings both expertise from her academic background and experience as a practicing clinician to the new program in the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
Throughout her clinical career as an occupational therapist, Botkin has primarily focused on bringing evidence-based care into real-world practice. In her time at Boone Health in Missouri, she established a neurorehabilitation clinic, where she implemented an interdisciplinary approach to Parkinson’s care, utilizing interventions such as the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment BIG (LSVT BIG) intervention. She also has experience practicing in inpatient and outpatient care, as well as dedicated nursing facilities.
Similarly, through her research, Botkin focuses on the development, evaluation and implementation of evidence-based interventions in occupational therapy and rehabilitation. Her particular interests include Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, as well as health services research. Her previous work includes exploring the barriers practitioners face when implementing and adhering to intervention protocols as designed. As a new faculty member at TCU, she looks forward to building a collaborative research program that advances occupational therapy practice and improves outcomes for individuals and communities.
“I hope to use this experience to teach OTD students how to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice,” Botkin said.
She continues her clinical work as an occupational therapist at a hospital in the DFW area weekly to ensure she’s up to date with both academic and practical developments in her field.
Botkin was attracted to Harris College’s reputation for evidence-based practice, community engagement and supporting relationships between students and faculty, as well as the chance to be an inaugural faculty member for the OTD program.
“I was really drawn to TCU by the opportunity to create something new,” she said. “Beyond the classroom, I look forward to collaborating across Harris College to strengthen interdisciplinary education and engaging with both the TCU community and the greater DFW area through service, collaboration and outreach.”
Before coming to Fort Worth, Botkin’s only experience in Texas came from some time as an undergraduate at Baylor University. But the moment she arrived on the TCU campus for her interview, she was struck by the “positive vibe” from students, faculty, staff and the pride Fort Worth has as the home of TCU.
“I am already looking forward to being an active part of the TCU campus, whether that’s attending sporting events, joining campus activities or simply walking between buildings and chatting with students and colleagues,” she said. “I’m excited to explore more of my new home. I have the Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Stockyards at the top of my list.”
Botkin received her bachelor’s in health science and PhD in health and rehabilitation from the University of Missouri in her hometown of Columbia and her master’s in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis.