By Dave DeFusco

In the Katz School’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate, Asha Roy is reshaping what it means to be an occupational therapist by training students not just to deliver care, but to lead, innovate and drive change across an evolving healthcare system.

A clinical assistant professor, Roy leads the course Leadership and Advancement in Practice, preparing students not only as skilled clinicians, but as administrators, entrepreneurs and advocates equipped to navigate the realities of modern healthcare—from reimbursement constraints and workforce shortages to administrative burdens, shifting regulations and gaps in access to care. The course offers a practical, immersive look at what leadership truly demands in today’s complex care environment.

“The course is required by our accreditation standards,” said Roy, noting guidelines set by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. “At the doctoral level, students need to develop not just a clinical identity, but a professional identity as leaders.”

Within those requirements, Roy saw an opportunity. Rather than treat leadership as an abstract concept, she built a course with practical application. Students learn tangible skills—how to interview and hire staff, write job descriptions, build business plans and create budgets and marketing strategies. 

“Leadership is not just about personality,” she said. “There are concrete skills that can be taught and learned.”

A defining feature of the course is its “day-in-the-life” approach, which places students in realistic scenarios they may encounter as leaders in the field. The goal is instilling confidence from day one. “There’s a common assumption that you need years of experience before stepping into leadership roles,” said Roy. “We challenge that. If a student wants to start a business tomorrow, they should feel equipped to do so.”

That preparation reflects broader shifts in healthcare, where prevention, community engagement and innovation are increasingly central. Roy emphasizes that today’s students are being trained to think beyond traditional clinical settings. In courses like Community Wellness, students explore how occupational therapy can address real needs in everyday environments, from improving accessibility in public spaces to designing programs that promote health and well-being before medical intervention is needed.

Her own background uniquely positions her to bridge these worlds. With a Ph.D. in organizational leadership and a clinical doctorate in occupational therapy focused on practice management, Roy brings both academic insight and professional experience into the classroom. Rather than relying solely on theory, she integrates case studies and personal examples, helping students connect concepts to everyday challenges in healthcare systems.

Hands-on assignments further reinforce that connection. Students conduct community observations, identifying gaps where occupational therapy could make a difference, then develop intervention implementation plans to address those needs. In parallel, they design innovative business concepts complete with mission statements, financial plans and strategies for growth.

Advocacy is another cornerstone of the curriculum. Roy encourages students to see themselves as agents of change, capable of influencing policy and expanding access to care. Through opportunities to present research at state and national conferences, students gain experience communicating their ideas to broader audiences. “Change doesn’t just happen,” she said. “We need to speak up and speak out.”

The course also tackles the realities of funding and sustainability. Students learn how to secure grants and navigate the financial side of healthcare delivery, which are skills that can open doors in under-resourced community settings where occupational therapy is often needed most. 

Throughout her teaching, Roy emphasizes the importance of ethics, policy awareness and adaptability. Healthcare regulations are constantly evolving, and students must be prepared not only for today’s standards but for what lies ahead. Just as critical are the interpersonal skills that define effective leadership—communication, emotional intelligence and the ability to build meaningful relationships.

Looking to the future, Roy sees occupational therapy leaders as lifelong learners and strong advocates—individuals who can navigate complexity while staying grounded in the profession’s core mission. During Occupational Therapy Month in April, that vision feels especially timely. In classrooms like Roy’s, the future of the field is already taking shape one student and one leader at a time.

“Leadership is about influence,” she said, “and influence comes from connection, knowledge and the willingness to keep growing.”