Quinnipiac University
Program Director, Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Hamden, CT
2023 - Present
Nicole A. Fidanza
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Program Director of Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
Nicole A. Fidanza
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Program Director of Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
Nicole Fidanza graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2007 with a MS in Occupational Therapy and in 2017 with a post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate. She has focused her practice on working with older adult clients across the continuum of rehabilitative care. Nicole is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy whose teaching focuses on gerontology, neurorehabilitation, occupation and health, and professionalism. She is also a Fieldwork Educator credentialed through the American Occupational Therapy Association who leads students through Fieldwork II experiences to support the psychosocial needs of older adults. Her current research is focused on the connection between social participation and well being amongst older adults. In 2019, she developed 'Opportunuty to Thrive: The Fidanza Method to Enrich Older Adult Social Health' for The Towers at Tower Lane. This program addresses the frailty via secondary prevention; it is a part of The Towers’ Proactive Partner Model, which places the resident at the center of services designed to meet their needs at no cost.
Education
- BS, Quinnipiac University
- MOT, Quinnipiac University
- OTD, Quinnipiac University
Areas of Expertise
- Public Health & Global Public Health
- Neurology/Neuroscience
- Health & Wellness
- Neurorehabilitation/Neurosurgery
- Geriatrics/Gerontology/Ageing
Organization
- Occupational Therapy
Office Location
- Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci 362M
Mail Drop
- NH-HSC
Courses
-
OT 532 Neurorehabilitation in Occupational Therapy
Spring 2024 -
OT 570 Capstone Graduate Projects
Spring 2024 -
OT 780 Fieldwork Level IIA
Summer 1 2024 -
OTD 500 Philosophy and Science of Occupational Therapy
Summer 2 2024 -
OTD 512 Applied Neuroscience in OT Practice
Fall 2024 -
OTD 525 OT for Adults and Older Adults II
Spring 2024 -
OTD 525F OT for Adults and Older Adults II Fieldwork
Spring 2024 -
OTD 790 Doctoral Project Seminar
Summer 1 2024
Experience
Quinnipiac University
Programs Coordinator- BSMOT, BSOTD, PBOTD
Hamden, CT
2023 - 2023
Quinnipiac University
BS/MOT Program Coordinator, Upper Division
Hamden, CT
2021 - 2023
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Assistant Professor
Hamden, CT
2018 - Present
Quinnipiac University
Visiting Faculty
Quinnipiac University
2018 - 2018
Quinnipiac University
Adjunct Faculty
Quinnipiac University
2011 - 2017
Selected Publications
Radio Interview- WICC Melissa in the Morning- Holiday Tips for Caregivers of those with Dementia
Fidanza, N.
Quinnipiac University12/4/2023 (2023)
Addressing Hoarding in Senior Housing: Non-traditional Fieldwork II
Basso, J. & Fidanza, N.
28(8) OT Practice 25-28 Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac UniversityAugust (2023)
Chapter
Quintessential Occupational Therapy: A Guide to Areas of Practice
Fidanza, N. A. & Frank-Hirsch, M.C.
Skilled Nursing Facilities 1st ed. Thorofare, NJ (SLACK Incorporated 2023)
Invited Speaker
What is an Age-Friendly University?
Fidanza, N., Molony, S., Jacobson, S., & Fedus, D.
Quinnipiac University Alumni Weekend 'Golden Bobcat' Luncheon, Hamden CT, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Promoting Nutrition Management to Address Frailty in a Senior Housing Complex
Fidanza, N., Bruno, M., Caron, M., Mobilia, M., & Weinstein, J.
AOTA Inspire 2023, Kansas City, MO, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Invited Speaker
Opening Remarks
Fidanza, N.
Livability 2023: Our Aging Landscape, Virtual, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
Opportunity to Thrive: A Community-based Program for Frailty in Senior Housing
FIdanza, N.; Rzepka, D., & Basso, J.
AOTA Specialty Conference: Connecting Community & Occupational Therapy, Virtual, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Promoting Nutrition Management to Address Frailty in a Senior Housing Complex
Fidanza, N., Bruno, M., Caron, M., Mobilia, M., & Weinstein, J.
ConnOTA 2023 Annual Conference , VIrtual, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Invited Speaker
Opening Remarks
Fidanza, N.
The Journey to Livable Communities: Inclusive, Innovative, Intergenerational , Virtual, Quinnipiac University (2022)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
We Didn't Expect It to Be So Different: Two Educators Discuss Their Transition From Adjuncts to Full-Time Professors
Akselrud, R. & Fidanza, N
AOTA Inspire 2022, San Antonio, Texas, Quinnipiac University (2022)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Secondary Prevention of Frailty in a Senior Housing Complex: How to Create Health Literate Educational Handouts for Older Adults
Fidanza, N., Baker, A., Bastos, S., DiGiacinto, J. & Scotto, M.
AOTA Inspire 2022, San Antonio, Texas, Quinnipiac University (2022)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Age-friendly University Initiative: Advancing Age Inclusivity within Higher Education
Fidanza, N., Oakes, C.E., & Zakrajsek, A.G.
AOTA Inspire 2022, San Antonio, Texas, Quinnipiac University (2022)
Invited Speaker
Panel Discussion: Age-friendly Universities in Connecticut
Fidanza, N., Fannelli, L., Andreoletti, C., & Oakes, C.
AARP Connecticut's Virtual U: Pathways to Living in an Age-Inclusive Society, Quinnipiac University (2021)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Addressing New Resident Frailty Through Pathways and Education
Fidanza, N., Kowal, J., McLoone, M., Nelson, H., & Vendetti, A.
AOTA Inspire 2021 Annual Conference , Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac University (2021)
Peer Reviewed Poster
An Exploration of Social Participation Amongst Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities
Fidanza, N., Kowal, J., & Bondoc, S.
AOTA Inspire 2021 Annual Conference , Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac University (2021)
Invited Speaker
Social Participation, Frailty, and Aging: Current Research & Implications for Occupational Therapy
Fianza, N.
University of Connecticut Department of Public Health, Course PUBH 5497-F44: Critical Health Issues Facing the U.S., Farmington, CT (2020)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
Determining the Needs of Newly Transitioned Residents in an Assisted-Living Facility: A Mixed-Methods Assessment
Fidanza, N., Baker, N., Brown, R., Gallagher, H., & Godusky, K.
2020 AOTA Annual Conference & Expo, Boston, MA (cancelled), Quinnipiac University (2020)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Determining the Needs of Newly Transitioned Residents in a Senior Living Facility: A Mixed-Methods Assessment
Fidanza, N., Baker, N., Brown, R., Gallagher, H., & Godusky, K.
ConnOTA 2020 Spring Conference, Hartford, CT, Quinnipiac University (2020)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Social Participation Amongst Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities: Short, Spontaneous, Superficial
Fidanza, N., Kowal, J., & Bondoc, S.
2020 AOTA Annual Conference & Expo, Boston, MA (cancelled), Quinnipiac University (2020)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
From Sink or Swim to Smooth Sailing: How to Best Support Newly-Graduated OTs Working in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Fidanza, N. & Bondoc, S.
2020 AOTA Annual Conference & Expo, Boston, MA (cancelled), Quinnipiac University (2020)
Invited Speaker
Welcome Remarks
Fidanza, N.
AARP Connecticut's Fraud Watch Network presents ‘When Trust is Betrayed: A Cautionary Tale To Combat Elder Abuse’, Quinnipiac University (2020)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
Determining the Needs of Newly Transitioned Residents in a Senior Living Facility: A Mixed-Methods Assessment
Fidanza, N., Baker, N., Brown, R., Gallagher, H., & Godusky, K.
Connecticut Public Health Association 2019 Annual Conference , Plantsville, CT, Quinnipiac University (2019)