Angela Karpieniak, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR

Associate Academic Fieldwork Coordinator & Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Eastside

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Joined Chatham: July 2026

ACADEMIC AREAS OF INTEREST

Physical Rehabilitation, Neurological Rehabilitation, Pediatric Rehabilitation, Functional Cognition, Student Professionalism and success, Fieldwork Coordination, interprofessional and intraprofessional education, and national board certification exam preparation.

PERSONAL AREAS OF INTEREST

Traveling, Reading, Michelin Star Restaurants, Improv Comedy, Hand Embroidery, Watercolor Painting, Puzzles & spending time with family and friends.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Karpieniak received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Duquesne University and her Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Chatham University. Her occupational therapy clinical experience primarily includes inpatient acute rehabilitation for both pediatrics and adults, specializing in neurological conditions (Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Spinal Cord Injury). Dr. Karpieniak is board-certified in physical rehabilitation through the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Dr. Karpieniak is an active volunteer for the American Occupational Therapy Association. Currently, she is a member of the Roster of Fellowship Reviewers, tasked with aiding in the accreditation of post-professional fellowship programs through the evaluation of official criteria.

EDUCATION
  • Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Chatham University (Pittsburgh, PA), 2025
  • Master of Occupational Therapy, Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA), 2012
CERTIFICATIONS
  • Board Certified Physical Rehabilitation through AOTA
  • National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
ORGANIZATIONS
  • AOTA Roster of Fellowship Reviewers
  • Member, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
  • Member, American Occupational Therapy Association
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
  • Karpieniak, A (2026, April 25). Developing Professionalism in OT Students Through Emotional Intelligence Training [Short Course]. 2026 Annual AOTA Conference, Anaheim, CA.
  • Karpieniak, A (2025, April 3). Guidance for Faculty: Empowering Occupational Therapy Assistant Students Through the Baccalaureate Project [Poster presentation]. 2025 Annual AOTA Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Karpieniak, A., and L. Schackow (2025). Effects of emotional intelligence training on occupational therapy assistant students in developing professionalism [Capstone project]. Chatham University.