Rehabilitation and Participation Science
Program in Occupational Therapy
Dr. Russell-Thomas serves adults and older adults. She is particularly interested in chronic disease management and finding ways to promote health and quality of life in those who have complex care coordination needs. Dr. Russell-Thomas’ populations are primarily the underserved and underinsured.
Dr. Russell-Thomas has special interest in trauma and resiliency, chronic disease management, health disparity/equity, climate justice and population health. She partners with experts in community-based participatory research and the group model building process to better understand the strengths and concerns of the community. She often works with community members to design and implement evidence-based programs.
Dr. Russell-Thomas has been the co-director of Introduction to Healthcare and Professional Practice and Introduction to Management for a Changing Practice Environment. She annually presents guest lectures on health and racial disparity; diversity, equity and inclusion; trauma-informed care; and self-management. She also teaches Introduction to Occupational Therapy as an adjunct professor at Harris-Stowe State University.
1992: BA in psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
1997: MS in occupational therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
2012: Women’s Leadership Forum – Certificate Program for Professionals. Washington University Olin Business School, St. Louis, MO
2017: Clinical Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
2021: Master of Professional Studies, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO
Dr. Russell-Thomas worked as an occupational therapist in skilled nursing upon the completion of her master’s degree. After accepting administrative roles and beginning to teach in an occupational therapy (OT) assistant program, she returned to Washington University to manage the OT Community Practice for five years. Dr. Russell-Thomas then stepped into a community-based clinical role, which included building a cancer survivor program and a student-run pro bono clinic for individuals with acquired brain injury. During this time, Dr. Russell-Thomas was the interventionist on several projects to develop self-management programs for various populations. She was also the principal investigator (PI) for the Missouri Arthritis and Osteoporosis Program grant, which disseminated chronic disease management education throughout the state.
Currently, Dr. Russell-Thomas is the director of the Community Experiential Learning Center (CELC) at the Program in Occupational Therapy. In this role, she works to cultivate a culture of overall community health and well-being as well as increased trust in the university as a partner. Her focus is on innovative active learning opportunities that are mutually beneficial for community members and learners. She is a co-PI with Brown School of Social Work for the Here and Next Pop-Up grant that will use group model building for the community to define and guide work and educational content on climate justice.
Taff, S.D., Kniepmann, K., Grajo, L., Russell-Thomas, D., & Berg, C. (2023). Impact of basic needs fulfillment on the health, well-being, and academic engagement of occupational therapy students. Occupational Therapy in Health Care. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2023.2269429
Doherty, M., Dyer, M., Wilson, E., & Russell-Thomas, D. (2020). Rehabilitation outcomes of an occupational therapy student-run free clinic for individuals with acquired brain injury. Journal of Allied Health, 49(1), 60-6
Derigo, D., Russell-Thomas, D., & Berg, C. (2018). A trauma-informed approach distinct to occupational therapy: The TIC-OT Model. AOTA Continuing Education.
Gronski, M., Johnson, K.E., Kloeckner, J., Russell-Thomas, D., Taff, S.D., Walker, K.A., and Berg, C. (2013). Childhood toxic stress: A community role in health promotion for occupational therapists. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67(6), e148-e153.
Taff, S., Russell-Thomas, D., Tyminski, Q., Wilson, A., Barco, P., & Berg. (2021). Occupational therapy in the pandemic: Facing challenges, building resilience, and sparking innovation. In A. Lynch, R. Ashcraft, & L. Tekell (Eds.), Trauma, occupation, and participation: Foundations and population considerations in occupational therapy (pp. 105-121). AOTA Press.
Stark, S., Somerville, E., & Russell-Thomas, D. (2011). Choosing assessments. In M. Christenson & C. Chase (Eds.), Occupational therapy and home modification (pp.25-43). AOTA Press.
2023: Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award
2021: The Honor Graduate Fellowship, Eden Theological Seminary
2019: Kniker Family Book Award, Eden Theological Seminary
2018: Master Interprofessional Educator, Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice
1997: Graduated with Honors, Program in Occupational Therapy
Russell-Thomas, Duana, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Medicine
CELC Director
Phone: (314) 286-1625
Fax: (314) 286-0631
[email protected]
We welcome inquiries from prospective students, potential collaborators, community partners, alumni and others who want to connect with us. Please complete the form below to begin the conversation.
Schedule an Info Session
We are excited that you are considering applying to WashU Medicine Program in Occupational Therapy. Please join us for a Zoom Information Session for either our entry-level MSOT or OTD degrees or our online post-professional OTD. Current faculty members will discuss the degree program and answer any question you may have. We are offering these sessions on the following days and times. The content is the same for each one, so you only need to sign up for one.
Upcoming ENTRY-LEVEL Degree ZOOM Info sessions:
Schedule an Entry-Level Info Session
Upcoming PP-OTD Degree ZOOM Info session: