NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation offers a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Fellowship designed to train occupational therapists in expert specialty care for pediatric patients in acute inpatient and outpatient settings. The one-year fellowship program is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Our mission is to develop advanced practitioners in the field of pediatric occupational therapy who champion the well-being of patients and families while advancing the profession. This effort is aligned with Rusk Rehabilitation’s vision of becoming a global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation, fostering a world of limitless accessibility and opportunity.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy Training

Built on a foundation of didactic learning, hands-on clinical training, and mentored practice, our fellowship program equips fellows with advanced skills and expertise in delivering evidence-based, family-centered care. Through immersive experiences with expert mentors, fellows refine their clinical reasoning and intervention techniques, ensuring they are prepared to address the unique needs of children and their families while advancing the profession of pediatric occupational therapy.

Fellows complete a 12-month program covering both inpatient acute and outpatient hospital-based pediatric occupational therapy at Rusk Rehabilitation’s outpatient facilities in NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital as well as in an inpatient acute setting at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.

Fellows gain experience in treating patients with a wide range of pediatric conditions and diagnoses, including the following:

• neurologic/neuromuscular
• orthopedic
• congenital
• genetic
• oncological
• general developmental disorders
• cardiac
• transplants

Fellows collaborate directly with a multidisciplinary team of therapists and physicians to provide holistic, patient- and family-centered care. Fellows are also paired with clinical mentors to enhance their clinical reasoning, elevate their clinical practice skills, and cultivate their professional goals.

Teaching, Research, and Community Outreach Opportunities

Fellows have a number of opportunities to advance their teaching skills during departmental presentations, assisting in modules for occupational therapy fieldwork students, and participating in local and national conferences and meetings. Fellows also contribute to ongoing occupational therapy clinical research and quality improvement projects.

An integral part of Rusk Rehabilitation’s culture is engaging with, educating, and supporting our local community. Fellows are encouraged to offer presentations in the community about pediatric occupational therapy.

Fellowship Timeline and Application Process and Prerequisites

To be eligible for the Pediatric Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program, applicants must have a minimum of two years of work experience, with pediatric therapy experience strongly preferred. Currently, this program is open exclusively to licensed occupational therapists.

The application period begins in early spring, followed by interviews with selected top candidates. Notifications of acceptance are sent out in early summer. The fellowship program starts on or after September 1 and concludes on or before August 31 of the following year. A $3,000 program fee is due at the start of the program.

Contact Us

Please contact Lori Ragni, MS, OTR/L, BCP, fellowship program coordinator, at OTPediatricFellowship@NYULangone.org for more information.