Debra Zizik

Dr. Debra T. Zizik is an alumna of the Mercy University Occupational Therapy Graduate Program. She began her career as an occupational therapist at Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood, New Jersey. Dr. Zizik worked in the Hand Therapy Department and on the Burn Unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Cornell. Her clinical background includes treating individuals with orthopedic injuries of the upper extremity, burns and general medical/surgical diagnoses. Dr. Zizik has extensive experience working with women with sequelae associated with breast cancer treatment, including lymphedema, and has participated in numerous community outreach projects. She was the faculty mentor for Club Discovery for many years – a program focusing on health and wellness for women recovering from cancer that was held in collaboration with Gilda’s Club Westchester. Dr. Zizik is currently working with colleagues to investigate the impact of caregiving on occupational engagement, participation and quality of life when caring for an individual with Alzheimer's disease.  Dr. Zizik co-authored the critically appraised paper titled For individuals with Grade II and III osteoarthritis (OA) of the trapeziometacarpal (CMC) joint in the dominant hand, is using a short opponens orthosis effective in decreasing pain and increasing strength and hand function for ADL performance?  She has presented both locally and nationally. Dr. Zizik teaches anatomy to medical students and has presented workshops to physicians who utilize botulinum toxin to treat individuals with spasticity. Dr. Zizik is a co-founder of the Hands R Us Study Group comprised of certified hand therapists and occupational therapists practicing in hand therapy.  Dr. Zizik completed the Certificate of Advanced Practice in Hand and Upper Quarter Rehabilitation at Drexel University and was awarded a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Zizik received the Mercy University Teaching Excellence Award and the Mavie in May 2019.