Darlene Piraino, OTR/L, CHT Clinical Assistant Professor |
Darlene Piraino is a highly qualified occupational therapist with a multifaceted educational background and extensive expertise in post-acute care rehabilitation. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from St. John's University in 1990. In 2000, she furthered her education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Stony Brook University. Darlene is actively pursuing her post-professional occupational therapy doctorate at Quinnipiac University.
With more than two decades of professional experience, Darlene has developed into a seasoned practitioner in various healthcare settings, including outpatient hand therapy and skilled nursing facilities. Her specialization encompasses adult and geriatric rehabilitation, hand therapy, addressing physical disabilities, and providing care for individuals with dementia. Additionally, Darlene has devoted a decade to sharing her knowledge and insights as an adjunct professor at local universities.
Beyond her clinical work, Darlene is a notable contributor to her field. She has been a featured presenter at prominent conferences, including the New England APTA and AOTA conferences, where she has addressed a wide range of topics. These topics include the development of student programs, geriatric shoulder treatment, physical agent modalities, and the application of occupation-based theories to decode the experiences of dementia patients.