Kristina Hartsook, DrOT, OTR/L, BCP

Dr. Kristina Hartsook has been practicing occupational therapy since 2015. She graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then completed her Master of Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in 2015. She continued her education and received her post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from Nova Southeastern University, where her focus was on occupational therapy’s role in identifying early signs of Autism.

Dr. Hartsook is a certified fieldwork educator and is passionate about helping fieldwork students receive the highest quality of clinical education. This enthusiasm flows into her role as Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC), where she can use her strengths as an educator to guide students during their fieldwork preparation and transition into clinical practitioners. In addition, Dr. Hartsook has received the American Occupational Therapy Association Autism Badge and is certified in Developmental, Individual-differences and Relationship-based model Floortime.

Her clinical practice and interests are focused on pediatrics, early intervention, sensory integration, Autism Spectrum Disorder and early identification of Autism, as well as incorporating an interdisciplinary model. Dr. Hartsook strongly supports family-centered care, primarily considering the family’s well-being and priorities. She has serviced the pediatric population in in-home, school-based, outpatient and inpatient settings. Her desire for equity has led to her initiative of a pro bono clinic at a school that services children with disabilities.

Dr. Hartsook serves as the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA) co-chair of the Special Interest Section for Fieldwork Education and Doctoral Capstone Experience.

She joined USAHS in 2020 as a full-time instructor and AFWC on the Miami, FL campus. In December 2023, she was promoted to her current role.