After serving as the interim leader of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences for the past year, Amy Darragh, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA has been named by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees as the fifth director of the school and vice dean for the College of Medicine.
With Dr. Darragh’s expertise and vision, she continues the school's legacy of educating more health care professionals than most programs in the country. Dr. Carol R. Bradford, the dean of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, praises Dr. Darragh as an inclusive leader who values shared decision-making, mentorship and interprofessional collaboration.
"Dr. Darragh is a steadfast leader, accomplished researcher and dedicated educator. Her guidance will elevate HRS' foundational and practice-based programs, many of which are ranked among the top 10 in the country," said Dr. Bradford.
Dr. Darragh joined HRS in 2008 as an assistant professor, progressing to associate professor in 2015 and ultimately attaining the rank of full professor in 2021. Since 2014, she has directed the school’s Division of Occupational Therapy, which hosts the nation's 13th-ranked Occupational Therapy program and a fully online Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology Certificate program. Dr. Darragh has played pivotal roles in The Ohio State University Senate, including chairing the Senate Steering Committee and serving as chair-elect of the University Senate Faculty Council. She is also affiliated with the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Research Institute of Nationwide Children's Hospital.
As a licensed occupational therapist and funded researcher, Dr. Darragh's areas of interest encompass clinical trials in intensive pediatric neurorehabilitation, as well as interventions involving virtual and digital technologies. She’s currently a principal investigator for the NIH-funded National Pediatric Rehabilitation Resource Center, a core investigator for I-ACQUIRE, the nation’s first phase III clinical trial in pediatric stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Additionally, she spearheads multiple studies exploring the use of digital and virtual technologies in pediatric and adult interventions. Dr. Darragh has presented her work at over 120 national and international conferences and has published more than 60 journal articles.
Dr. Darragh believes that HRS sets itself apart from other institutions due to its extensive program offerings and enriched by its position within The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, a world-class academic health care system. She believes students benefit from transformative educational experiences in research, education and leadership, while also gaining essential exposure to the health care field and a comprehensive understanding of various professional roles and responsibilities.
Dr. Darragh plans to help HRS meet the needs of the health care workforce by leading the school in their vision to be a global leader in advancing scholarship, education and practice in health and rehabilitation sciences.