Johns Hopkins Acute Care Occupational Therapy Fellowship
Our acute care occupational therapy program aims to develop occupational therapists who provide innovative and evidence-based care across the spectrum of acute care and possess the essential system skills within an interdisciplinary team.
Duration: 12 months
Accreditation: AOTA Approved
Apply: download instructions
Application deadline: March 14, 2025
Interviews: Mid to Late April 2025
Admission decision: Early May 2025
Program start: August 2025
Prerequisites: applicant must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department.
View program flyer
Please click the pay application fee link to pay the supplementary application fee. Application will not be processed until the fee is received and application is complete. All fees are non-refundable.
Each of my mentors helped me grow tremendously in my patient care due to their unique and distinct approaches to acute care. On a personal level, they also served as incredible role models.
Kristen Iannuzzi, Class of 2019
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to new graduates and practicing clinicians who are current AOTA members and have:
- Bachelor of Science, Master's or Doctoral Degree from an accredited occupational therapy academic program
- License from the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (or qualified to obtain one)
- Completed clinical internships as required by the academic program
- AHA CPR certification
Fellowship Features
- Clinical experience with a variety of acute care service lines
- Scholarly activities, including case presentations and clinical education
- One-on-one clinical mentoring
- Multidisciplinary structured observations
- Research opportunities, including early mobility and activity in the ICU,
preventing readmissions and diagnosis-specific quality improvement - Participation in the Johns Hopkins Research Development Program
Fellowship Director
Julia Mazariegos, M.S., OTR/L, BCPR, CPAM
AOTA Board-certified in Physical Rehabilitation
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Current Fellow
Natalie Miner, OTR/L | Class of 2025
Undergraduate school: Brigham Young University, bachelor's of science in special education
Graduate school: University of Utah, master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Professional interests: occupational therapy's role in the ICU, functional cognition, rehabilitation from polytrauma, palliative care,
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because it is a world leader in healthcare and the birthplace of modern American medicine. Occupational therapists at Johns Hopkins are at the forefront of innovative research and actively advocate for expanding our role in critical care. As a fellow, I hope to contribute to OT's holistic and comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and empower patients to achieve their fullest potential.
What I like about Baltimore: I love being part of such a vibrant and diverse city. I love meeting new people, running along the harbor, and exploring historic landmarks.
Graduate school: University of Utah, master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Professional interests: occupational therapy's role in the ICU, functional cognition, rehabilitation from polytrauma, palliative care,
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because it is a world leader in healthcare and the birthplace of modern American medicine. Occupational therapists at Johns Hopkins are at the forefront of innovative research and actively advocate for expanding our role in critical care. As a fellow, I hope to contribute to OT's holistic and comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and empower patients to achieve their fullest potential.
What I like about Baltimore: I love being part of such a vibrant and diverse city. I love meeting new people, running along the harbor, and exploring historic landmarks.
Fellowship Alumni
Leanna Washington, OTD, OTR/L | Class of 2024
Undergraduate school: Hampton University, bachelor's of science in kinesiology
Graduate school: Towson University, doctorate in occupational therapy
Hometown: White Plains, Maryland
Professional interests: sickle cell disease advocacy, occupational therapy’s role in acute care, stroke rehabilitation, clinical research
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because it is home to the world's best and brightest healthcare professionals and mentorship here will increase my OT knowledge and add to my OT practitioner toolkit. As a Johns Hopkins Hospital fellow, I also hope to advance my research skills and participate in cutting edge research in acute care.
Graduate school: Towson University, doctorate in occupational therapy
Hometown: White Plains, Maryland
Professional interests: sickle cell disease advocacy, occupational therapy’s role in acute care, stroke rehabilitation, clinical research
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because it is home to the world's best and brightest healthcare professionals and mentorship here will increase my OT knowledge and add to my OT practitioner toolkit. As a Johns Hopkins Hospital fellow, I also hope to advance my research skills and participate in cutting edge research in acute care.
Nik Rosenbaum, OTD, OTR/L | Class of 2022
Undergraduate school: Appalachian State University, bachelor's of science psychology with a concentration in human services and minor in special education
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, doctorate in occupational therapy
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Professional interests: expanding the role of occupational therapy specifically in acute care and ICU, treatment of burns, the exploration of sleep as an intervention method for those with epilepsy
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins due to their innovative work in biomedical research that is unparalleled in the field, as well as the opportunity to pursue my interests both clinically and in research. I also value the importance Johns Hopkins places on advocating for the occupational therapy profession.
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, doctorate in occupational therapy
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Professional interests: expanding the role of occupational therapy specifically in acute care and ICU, treatment of burns, the exploration of sleep as an intervention method for those with epilepsy
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins due to their innovative work in biomedical research that is unparalleled in the field, as well as the opportunity to pursue my interests both clinically and in research. I also value the importance Johns Hopkins places on advocating for the occupational therapy profession.
Marybeth Moscirella, OTD, OTR/L | Class of 2021
Undergraduate school: University of Pittsburgh, bachelor's of arts in French, bachelor's of science in psychology
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, doctorate in occupational therapy
Hometown: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Professional interests: occupational therapy in the intensive care unit, delirium prevention, cognition in the acute care environment
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of their focus on clinical research, evidence based practice and advocacy for the occupational therapy profession.
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, doctorate in occupational therapy
Hometown: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Professional interests: occupational therapy in the intensive care unit, delirium prevention, cognition in the acute care environment
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of their focus on clinical research, evidence based practice and advocacy for the occupational therapy profession.
Carleigh Dabritz, OTR/L | Class of 2020
Undergraduate school: Immaculata University (Malvern, PA), bachelor's of science, minor in psychology
Graduate school: Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA), master's in occupational therapy
Professional interests: critical care, clinical research, advocating for the occupational therapist profession
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of its extensive educational opportunities, diverse patient population, supportive mentorship and unique approach to occupational therapy in the acute care setting.
What I like about Baltimore: Being new to Baltimore, I really enjoy exploring the different areas, spending time along the harbor and learning about the history and culture of the city!
Graduate school: Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA), master's in occupational therapy
Professional interests: critical care, clinical research, advocating for the occupational therapist profession
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of its extensive educational opportunities, diverse patient population, supportive mentorship and unique approach to occupational therapy in the acute care setting.
What I like about Baltimore: Being new to Baltimore, I really enjoy exploring the different areas, spending time along the harbor and learning about the history and culture of the city!
Kristen Iannuzzi, OTR/L | Class of 2019
Read a Q&A with Kristen about her fellowship experience.
Undergraduate school: Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, Michigan), bachelor's in psychology
Graduate school: Grand Valley State University, master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: Bloomingdale, New Jersey
Professional interests: occupational therapy’s role in preventing readmissions to the hospital, empowering patients and caregivers through education, sensory integration and sensory changes across the lifespan.
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins to be connected to research, community involvement, and a network of like-minded professionals to help me grow in the early stages of my career. I was excited to become the inaugural acute care fellow and gain experience with a variety of populations in a medical setting.
What I like about Baltimore: great seafood, farmers markets, and having lots of things to explore on weekends.
Undergraduate school: Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, Michigan), bachelor's in psychology
Graduate school: Grand Valley State University, master's in occupational therapy
Hometown: Bloomingdale, New Jersey
Professional interests: occupational therapy’s role in preventing readmissions to the hospital, empowering patients and caregivers through education, sensory integration and sensory changes across the lifespan.
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins to be connected to research, community involvement, and a network of like-minded professionals to help me grow in the early stages of my career. I was excited to become the inaugural acute care fellow and gain experience with a variety of populations in a medical setting.
What I like about Baltimore: great seafood, farmers markets, and having lots of things to explore on weekends.
