School of Allied Health Professions

Department of Occupational Therapy

bwalker

Dr. Brandon James Walker, OTD, OTR/L

Email: bwalk7@lsuhsc.edu
Phone: (504) 568-7697
 
LSUHSC Appointments:
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

Licensure/Certifications:

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), Certification #347551, Active: 08/26/2015 – 03/31/2027
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, License #322204, 03/23/2020 – 07/31/2025

Education/Degree(s):
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Concentration in Exercise Science, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, May 2011
Master of Occupational Therapy, Louisiana State University Health - Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, August 2015
Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, May 2019

Teaching:
Dr. Walker's teaching interests include developmental and pediatric courses as well as foundational concepts of occupational therapy. He has taught the following courses:
Research and Scholarship:

Dr. Walker's research focuses on the impact of technology-guided mindfulness on mental health in adolescents, program design methods of interdisciplinary feeding clinics, and the effectiveness of student pediatric telehealth clinics on occupational therapy students' competence and confidence. Recently, Dr. Walker has developed an interest in faculty development, particularly in mentorship and support programs for educators. Dr. Walker is interested in exploring the positive outcomes of mentorship programs for both mentors and mentees, highlighting the importance of support and connection in academic settings.

Selected Publications
Walker, B. J., Washington, F., Early, D., Poskey, G. A. (2020). "Parents’ experiences with implementing therapy home programs for children with down syndrome: A scoping review." Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 34(1), 85-98.
Zachry, A., Walker, B., Nunez, F. (2024). "AESIS educator mentorship program benefits." OT Practice, 29(5), 37-39.

Research Interests
Mindfulness and Mental Health
  • Technology-guided mindfulness
  • Mental health in adolescents
Interdisciplinary Program Design
  • Program design methods
  • Interdisciplinary feeding clinics
Interventions for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Student Competence and Confidence in Telehealth
  • Student perceptions of delivering pediatric OT services
Faculty Development

Grants
Critical Thinking: A Program Review of Allied Health Students, LSUHSC School of Allied Health Professions Dean’s Intramural Grants Program, $10,000, Co-Investigator

ECHO Space Kids Grant, Early Childhood Opportunity (ECHO) Fund, $47,360, Consultant

Service (Departmental, School, Institution, ProfessionalOrganizations):

Departmental
Recruitment Committee, Department of Occupational Therapy – Member, 2021 - Present
Admissions Committee, Department of Occupational Therapy – Member, 2021 – Present
Curriculum Committee, Department of Occupational Therapy – Member, 2021 – Present
Recruitment Committee, Department of Occupational Therapy – Chair, 2022 - Present
Faculty Search Committee, Department of Occupational Therapy – Chair, 2023 - Present

School
Diversity Committee, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health - Member, 2021-2022
Clinics Committee, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health - Member, 2022-2023
Diversity Committee, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health – Co-Chair, 2022-2023
Professional Development Committee, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health - Member, 2023-Present
Strategic Planning Committee, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health - Member, 2023-Present
Faculty Assembly, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health - Vice President, 2023-2024
Strategic Planning Committee, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health - Chair, 2024-Present
Faculty Assembly, LSUHSC, School of Allied Health - President, 2024-Present

Institutional
Center of Excellence Steering Committee – Member, 08/2023 - Present
Faculty Appeals Committee – Member, 12/2024 - Present
Faculty Senate – Senator, 08/2024 – Present
HSC Institutional Effectiveness Committee – Member, 01/2025 - Present

Professional Organization Membership/Service
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA): Member since 2013
Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA): Member from 2015 to 2020
Louisiana Occupational Therapy Association (LOTA): Member since 2020
Leadership Development Committee, Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions – Member, 2023 - Present

Occupational Therapy Assistant Advisory Board, Delgado Community College – Member, 2023 - Present

Clinical Expertise/Interests:

Dr. Walker specializes in pediatric occupational therapy, focusing on early intervention, developmental disabilities, and feeding issues. He has extensive experience in creating and implementing therapeutic programs for children with a range of developmental and acquired disabilities. His goal is to enhance their growth, independence, and overall quality of life.

Philosophy of Education:
As an occupational therapy educator, Dr. Walker's teaching philosophy is rooted in the principles of andragogy, emphasizing self-directed learning and experiential education. Dr. Walker believes in creating a supportive and engaging learning environment that welcomes all learning styles and fosters a sense of community. The goal is to inspire students to develop their clinical reasoning skills, confidence, and passion for helping clients achieve their full potential.

Dr. Walker utilizes active learning strategies and hands-on experiences to enhance knowledge retention and application. By integrating mindfulness practices, Dr. Walker aims to promote self-awareness and resilience among students, preparing them to manage stress and excel in their professional roles.

Dr. Walker's philosophy is to empower students to become skilled, compassionate practitioners dedicated to lifelong learning and creating a positive impact in occupational therapy.
 
CV: Brandon Walker CV