MaryAnn Halpin, MS, OTR/L, is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy in the College of Health and Human Services. She earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois Chicago and Master of Science degrees in both Rehabilitation Counseling and Public Health from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a licensed occupational therapist in Illinois and Iowa and is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Professor Halpin brings extensive clinical experience across a variety of practice settings, with a primary focus on adult rehabilitation in inpatient and community-based environments. Her professional background includes inpatient acute rehabilitation, acute care, and community mental health. Throughout her career, she has served in leadership roles involving program development, program evaluation, and healthcare management.
Professor Halpin teaches Occupational Therapy Process in the first year of the occupational therapy curriculum. She also teaches in the Critical Inquiry series for first- and second-year students, serves as a clinical site instructor for second-year students completing Fieldwork IB and IC rotations, and mentors doctoral students in their research and doctoral capstone projects.
Professor Halpin's scholarly interests center on occupational therapy education and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Her work explores evidence-based teaching practices, professional identity formation, and the promotion of well-being and resilience among occupational therapy students, educators, and practitioners. She is also interested in the role of occupational therapy in supporting occupational identity development and identity re-formation following illness or injury.
Professor Halpin is passionate about preparing future occupational therapists to become reflective, resilient, and compassionate practitioners. Through evidence-based teaching, experiential learning, and mentorship, she creates a supportive learning environment where students develop the clinical reasoning, confidence, and professional identity needed to thrive in contemporary practice. She emphasizes the integral role of mental health across all areas of occupational therapy practice and is committed to professional service and community engagement that strengthen the profession and promote the health and well-being of the communities occupational therapists serve.