Timothy Holley, DHSc, MSOT, OTR/L, BMS, CEAS, is the founding chair of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at The Chicago School. He earned his MSOT from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2004 and has held leadership roles in occupational therapy education, rehabilitation management, and clinical consulting.
Timothy Holley, DHSc, MSOT, OTR/L, BMS, CEAS
Q&A with Dr. Holley
Please tell us about your work.
My work integrates health science, human factors, and engineering principles to transform how people interact with healthcare technologies and systems. As an occupational therapist and academic leader with training in healthcare systems engineering, I approach education and innovation through both human-centered and system-level perspectives.
In teaching and curriculum design, I draw upon health science to ground clinical reasoning, human factors to optimize usability and safety, and engineering to model and improve healthcare processes. This integration is especially important as occupational therapy increasingly intersects with medical devices, robotics, ergonomics, and digital health technologies. Together, these disciplines shape my approach to preparing occupational therapists to think critically, design safely, and practice innovatively across emerging healthcare landscapes.
What does your current role look like, and how did you get there?
I am honored to serve as the founding chair of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program at The Chicago School, where I am leading the development of a hybrid, evidence-based, and innovation-focused doctoral curriculum.
Prior to this role, I served as associate professor and visiting scholar at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, where I received the 2023 Board Excellence Award for Student-First Faculty and was nominated for Employee Excellence in 2024. My leadership journey also includes serving as program director for a MOT program at Trinity Washington University, CEO and owner of Adams Therapeutic Consultations, LLC, and director of rehabilitation for Easter Seals, West Alabama.
What areas of research are you focusing on now?
My current academic work focuses on integrating human factors and human-technology interaction into occupational therapy education. I have earned professional certifications in biomechanics and ergonomics and am pursuing certifications as a Certified Systems Engineering Professional and a Certified Usability Analyst through Human Factors International. In addition, I am completing a Master of Science in industrial engineering with a specialization in healthcare systems engineering.
What aspects of your UAB training continue to influence your work today?
My UAB education provided the foundation for my professional philosophy and leadership style. The program instilled a deep respect for critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and the holistic value of occupation in human health.
Dr. Laura Vogtle, in particular, was a formative influence. She challenged us to think analytically, question assumptions, and translate science into meaningful clinical reasoning. Her mentorship strengthened my confidence as both a practitioner and a scholar and sparked my enduring interest in research, leadership, and interdisciplinary innovation.
The intellectual rigor and collaborative spirit at UAB continue to guide my approach to program development, faculty mentorship, and academic leadership.