Rita Daly

Clinical Assistant Professor and Fieldwork Coordinator, Occupational Therapy
School: School of Health Sciences and Human Performance
Phone: 607-274-1798
Office: Smiddy Hall 321A
Specialty: Fieldwork Education, Pediatrics, Professional Identity

I earned my BS/MS in Occupational Therapy degree in May 2000 from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. After graduation, I was a LEND Fellow at the University of Rochester in 2000 - 2001, which expanded my pediatric occupational therapy foundation. My clinical practice has centered around young children, primarily the birth to five population. I also was a member of an interdisciplinary evaluation team for children here in Ithaca for about 10 years.

In 2019, I entered a post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at Chatham University and graduated with my OTD in December 2020. My doctoral capstone project focused on a program to develop professional identity in graduate-level occupational therapy students.

I joined the Ithaca College Occupational Therapy Department as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in January 2008, after adjunct teaching for the program for several semesters. In my role as Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, I assist students with all things fieldwork related from choosing their placements, to preparing them for their experiences, to supporting them while on their fieldworks. I also support our students with navigating state licensure and the national board exam applications as they make the transition to clinicians after their final fieldwork.

I’m originally from the DE/Philly area, but Ithaca has been my home for the more than 20 years. When I’m not on campus, I’m spending time with my husband, daughter, and our kitties.