Kathleen Golisz

  • Interim Dean, School of Health and Natural Sciences
  • Professor, Occupational Therapy
Kathleen Golisz

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Dr. Golisz is the interim Dean for the Mercy University School of Health and Natural Sciences.  As Interim Dean of the School, she oversees 8 undergraduate and 5 graduate programs, including over 80 faculty and 3,000 students across the Dobbs Ferry and Bronx campuses.  She has over 30 years of experience in academia and previously served as the Associate Dean for the School, Interim Program Director, and founding Director of Clinical Education for the Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy at Mercy University.  She is a professor of Occupational Therapy and continues to teach in the graduate program.

In 2017, Dr. Golisz was named a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association for her contributions to senior driving and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Dr. Golisz has presented over 30 national lectures and workshops on the topics of occupational therapy with clients with brain trauma and neurological disorders, cognitive rehabilitation, and driving rehabilitation. She co-authored a chapter on evaluation and intervention of cognition and perception in several editions of the Willard & Spackman Occupational Therapy textbook. She edited the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Self-Paced Clinical Course on Neurorehabilitation of the Client with Traumatic Brain Injury (2015) and authored the 2009 AOTA Traumatic Brain Injury Guidelines for Practice which were included in the National Guidelines Clearinghouse of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Dr. Golisz has been professionally active in issues related to older driver safety, serving as a member on the national CarFit Advisory board and as past chair of the Older Driver Family Assistance Network for the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.

O.T.D., Occupational Therapy Clinical Doctorate, University of St. Augustine

B.S., Occupational Therapy and M.A. Psychology New York University 

Dr. Golisz is currently engaged in several research projects related to older driver safety.

Dr. Golisz teaches OCTR 620 OT Leadership and Management in the graduate OT program.  She has taught several other courses in the OT program over her 30 years at the University.

ARTICLES

Waldman-Levi, A., Golisz, K., Swierat, R. P., & Toglia, J.   2019    Scoping review: Interventions that promote functional performance for adolescents and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities   Australian Occupational Therapy Journal   1-11  

Golisz, K. M., Waldman-Levy, A., Swierat, R., & Toglia, J.   2018    Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Case studies using everyday technology to support daily living skills   British Journal of Occupational Therapy   1-11  

Golisz, K.   2014    From the Desk of the Guest Editor—Occupational therapy and driving and community mobility for older adults   American Journal of Occupational Therapy   68   654–656  

Golisz, K.   2014    Occupational therapy interventions to improve driving performance in older adults: A systematic review.   American Journal of Occupational Therapy   68   662-669  

Neville, M. & Golisz, K.   2014    Tips for living life to its fullest: Adults with traumatic brain injury   American Journal of Occupational Therapy

Golisz, K. M.   2009    Father’s Hands: OT Reflections from the Heart.   OT Practice 

BOOKS 

Toglia, J. P., Golisz, K. M., & Goverover, Y.   2018    Evaluation and Intervention for Cognitive Perceptual Impairments.  Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy, 13th edition.   Lippincott  Philadelphia, PA. 

Golisz, K.M. & Slater, D.Y.   2018    Ethical challenges in individuals with cognitive impairments  Cognition, Occupation, and Participation Across the Lifespan, 4th Edition   American Occupational Therapy Association  Bethesda, MD. 

Toglia, J., & Golisz, K.   2017    "Traumatic Brain Injury and Impact on Daily Life"  Changes in the Brain: Impact on Daily Life   Springer  New York.   978-0-387-98187-1  

Golisz, K. M., & Radomski, M. V. (co-editors)   2015   Traumatic Brain Injury: Interventions to Support Occupational Performance: Neurorehabilitation in Occupational Therapy Series (2nd edition)   American Occupational Therapy Association  Bethesda, MD. 

Toglia, J. P., Golisz, K. M., & Goverover, Y.   2012    Evaluation and Intervention for Cognitive Perceptual Impairments  Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy, 12th edition.   Lippincott  Philadelphia. 

Toglia, J. P., & Golisz, K. M.   2012    Therapy for Activities of Daily Living: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives.  Brain Injury Medicine: Principles and Practice   Demos Medical Publishing  New York. 

Golisz, K. M.   2009   Practice guidelines for the client with traumatic brain injury   American Occupational Therapy Association  Bethesda, MD.

Awards 

  • Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association   2017
  • Mercy University Teaching Excellence Award   2008

Grants 

  • Arc Westchester   Joan Toglia, PhD, OTR, FAOTA   Technology Project with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities   2016
  • Arc Westchester   Joan Toglia, PhD, OTR, FAOTA   Improving independent functioning and transition to work in young adults with autism or developmental disabilities   2015
  • Graduate PACT   Research Fellowship award to develop a research project with a graduate student  2012

Presentations 

Golisz, K., & Stancanelli, J.  November 2020 Using Clinical Simulation to Support Student Success in Level I Fieldwork, Panel presentation given at NY State Occupational Therapy Virtual Conference

Golisz, K., & Stancanelli, J.   April, 2019   Can Office-Based Assessment Predict Older Driver Safety?, Annual Conference of the American Occupational Therapy Association  New Orleans, LA 

Golisz, K., Waldman-Levi, A., Schurek, K., & Weiss, E.   April, 2017   Implementation of Technology With Task-Specific Approach To Promote Function Among Persons With Developmental Disabilities,  American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference  Philadelphia, PA 

Swierat, R., Golisz, K., Jankus, J., & Proctor, P.   October, 2016   Using Technology to Support the Lives of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Review of Different Approaches for Cognitive Supports,  The Arc and Inclusion International’s 2016 National Convention & International Forum Orlando, FL 

Golisz, K., Schurek, K., & Weiss, E.   March, 2016   Tech Supports for Cognition and Learning,  Arc of Westchester and Mercy University  Dobbs Ferry, NY 

Golisz, K., Roberto, D., Schurek, K., & Weiss, E.   November, 2015   Technology to Support Independent Living Skills,  New York State Occupational Therapy Annual Conference  White Plains, NY 

Golisz, K., & Collins, T.   April, 2013   Defining Entry-Level Practice,  Annual Conference of the American Occupational Therapy Association  San Diego, CA