Valerie Strange
Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy
Dr. Valerie Strange is a registered occupational therapist with more than 40 years of healthcare experience and 15 years as an educator at Quinnipiac University. Over the past 25 years, her clinical practice has focused on early intervention, school-based services, and community-based programs supporting children, youth, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her expertise centers on holistic, strengths-based approaches to occupational development and participation, with particular emphasis on facilitating successful transitions across the lifespan from early childhood through adulthood.
Dr. Strange is deeply committed to collaborative, person-centered care and works closely with families, educators, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to promote inclusive opportunities and coordinated support systems. She currently serves as a Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy and Assistant Director of the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice at Quinnipiac University.
A strong advocate for community engagement and inclusion, Dr. Strange serves on the Advisory Board for Best Buddies Connecticut and is the Faculty Advisor for Camp No Limits at Quinnipiac University, supporting programming for children with limb loss and limb differences and their families. She has also developed numerous service-learning and interprofessional initiatives that connect students with community partners while addressing meaningful health and participation needs.
For more than a decade, Dr. Strange has designed and facilitated interprofessional education programs, presented nationally on collaborative practice and IPE, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academy of Practice Occupational Therapy Academy.
Dr. Strange is deeply committed to collaborative, person-centered care and works closely with families, educators, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to promote inclusive opportunities and coordinated support systems. She currently serves as a Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy and Assistant Director of the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice at Quinnipiac University.
A strong advocate for community engagement and inclusion, Dr. Strange serves on the Advisory Board for Best Buddies Connecticut and is the Faculty Advisor for Camp No Limits at Quinnipiac University, supporting programming for children with limb loss and limb differences and their families. She has also developed numerous service-learning and interprofessional initiatives that connect students with community partners while addressing meaningful health and participation needs.
For more than a decade, Dr. Strange has designed and facilitated interprofessional education programs, presented nationally on collaborative practice and IPE, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academy of Practice Occupational Therapy Academy.
Education
- BS, Quinnipiac University
- MSOT, Quinnipiac University
- OTD, Quinnipiac University
- OTD, Quinnipiac University
Areas of Expertise
- Transitions
- Community Health
- Health & Wellness
- Pediatrics/Newborns, Children, Adolescent and Youth
- School-based Practice
Organization
- Occupational Therapy
Office Location
- Medicine, Nursing, Health Sci
Mail Drop
- NH-HSC
Quinnipiac Today
Experience
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Professor of Occupational Therapy
Hamden, CT, USA
2023 - Present
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Hamden, CT, USA
2020 - 2023
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Assistant Professor
Hamden, CT, USA
2013 - 2020
Quinnipiac University
Part Time Faculty
Hamden, CT, USA
2011 - 2013
Cheshire Fitness Zone
Occupational Therapist
Cheshire, CT
2010 - 2012
Children’s Therapy Services
Occupational Therapist
Cheshire, CT
2000 - Present
Region 15
Occupational Therapist
Southbury, CT
2000 - 2005
Sundance Rehabilitation Corporation
Rehab Director Mediplex of Wethersfield
Cromwell, CT
1999 - 1999
Sundance Rehabilitation Corporation
Clinical Director of OT
Cromwell, CT
1993 - 1999
Sundance Rehabilitation Corporation
Staff Occupational Therapist
Cromwell, CT
1992 - 1992
Sundance Rehabilitation Corporation
Supervisor of OT
Cromwell, CT
1992 - 1993
Cedar Lane Rehabilitation
Supervisor of OT
Waterbury, CT
1991 - 1992
Novacare, Inc.
Senior OT
Farmington, CT
1991 - 1991
New Britain Memorial Hospital
Senior OT
New Britain, CT
1989 - 1991
Hospital of Saint Raphael
Staff Occupational Therapist
New Haven, CT
1987 - 1989
Helen Hayes Hospital
Staff Occupational Therapist
West Haverstraw, NY
1986 - 1987
Selected Publications
Conference Presentation
Baby Day: An Authentic Interprofessional Education Experience in Pediatric Development and Family-Centered Care?
Strange, V. & Booth, J.
Interprofessional Care for the 21st Century, Philadelphia, PA, JCIPE (2026)
Peer Reviewed Poster
An OT-Informed Handbook: Building Schoolwide Understanding of Sensory Integration & the Role of OT
Kessel, L. & Strange, V.
AOTA Inspire, Anaheim, California, Quinnipiac University (2026)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Road to Independence: Driving Training Program for Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Strange, V., Leonard, M., Maloney, T., Porcelli, S. & Roque. C.
American Occupational Therapy Association INSPIRE 2025 Conference, Philadelphia, PA, Quinnipiac University (2025)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Impact of an OT-Led Workshop Series for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Using Person-Centered Planning to Facilitate Development of Self-Identified Life Skill Goals.
McConnell, M. & Strange, V.
American Occupational Therapy Association INSPIRE 2025 Conference, Philadelphia, PA., Quinnipiac University (2025)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Ensuring OTs Role in Sleep: Embedding Sleep Concepts throughout an OT Curriculum.
Sanders, M., Carlson, A., Fidanza, N., Latella, D., Glennon. T, Majeski, K., Nadeau, B., Strange, V., VanOss, T. & Wescott, E.
American Occupational Therapy Association INSPIRE 2025 Conference., Philadelphia, PA., Quinnipiac University (2025)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Interprofessional Education: A Comparative Analysis of In-Person with and without the use of Standardized Patients and Virtual Methods
Booth, J., Strange, V. & Nelson, P.
Collaborating Across Borders IX, Omaha, Ne., Quinnipiac University (2025)
Peer Reviewed Presentations
Improving Student Engagement Through Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice
Wescott, E. & Strange, V.
Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching, Asheville, NC., Quinnipiac University (2025)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Perceived Impact of Short-Term International Experiences on Personal & Professional Beliefs of Health Care Practitioners: A Longitudinal Study.
Strange, V., Balch, B., Huang, C., Disman, M., & Dynice, B.
AOTA Inspire, Orlando, Florida, Quinnipiac University (2024)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Effectiveness of a vocational training program on the work readiness of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Strange, V. & Clark, A.
AOTA Inspire, Orlando, Florida, Quinnipiac UNiv ersity (2024)
Peer Reviewed Poster
People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Seeking Social Inclusion: A Promising Role for Occupational Therapy at an Organizational Level.
Strange, V. & Sobol, V.
AOTA Inspire, Orlando, Florida, Quinnipiac University (2024)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Manualizing a Work Training Program for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Working in an Integrated Employment Setting.
Strange V., Cantwell C., Eichman L., Garcia C., & Mandara, A.
American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference in Kansas City Missouri, Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac UNiversity (2023)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Reciprocal Partnerships in Guatemala: An Interprofessional Reflection on Community Based Global Learning
Strange V., Hubbard B., Miner A., Trahan, E., & Weinrich, A.
American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference in Kansas City Missouri, Hamden, CT, Quinnipiac University (2023)
Conference Presentation
Transitions for Children and Youth Using An Interprofessional Conference-Style Collaboration to Explore Complex Health-Care Needs at Pivotal Points of Service.
Booth, J., Strange, V.
Interprofessional Care for the 21st Century, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University (2023)
Peer Reviewed Poster
Using Videoconferencing To Promote Greater Access To and Diversity of Professions In A Recurring Interprofessional Event Involving Three Universities
Archambault, M., Strange, V., Doyle, M., Cook, B., Majeski, K., Booth, J
IPEC Virtual Poster Fair, Virtual, Interprofessional Education Collaborative (2021)
Academic Awards, Fellowships and Grants
Distinguished Fellow of the National Academy of Practice in Occupational Therapy
Fellowship | 2023-2024
Class of 2024-as stated in announcement, I am recognized for leadership in both both my profession and in interprofessional care. intent is to work collaboratively as an interprofessional community to influence and promote national health policy, legislation, quality healthcare, and research.