Darlene Brooks, Dr. OT, OTR/L

Assistant Professor

Darlene F. Brooks, Dr. OT, OTR/L, CTIS is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. She earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in August 2020. She has a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Florida.

Dr. Brooks’ 34 years of clinical experience includes school-based settings, pediatrics and adults. Her career has also spanned working in home health and outpatient with both adults and pediatrics. Dr. Brooks has also been an adjunct professor for an occupational therapy assistant program, teaching occupational analysis and occupational therapy for children and adolescents. Prior to working in pediatrics, Dr. Brooks was a regional manager supervising rehabilitation departments in nursing homes throughout the state of Florida. She has also worked in long term care facilities, a brain injury day treatment program and at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. She has completed client assessments in their home and work settings, driver readiness assessments, seating and positioning assessments for wheelchairs and other home equipment, reimbursement training, documentation revision and assistive technology assessments.

Dr. Brooks has presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA), Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA) and at ITLC-Lilly conferences. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Texas Occupational Therapy Association and Florida Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Brooks is a Certified Trauma Informed Educator and a CarFit Event Coordinator. She is a member of the UIW Service-Learning Committee and the UIW School of Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Affairs Committee. She is chair of the UIW OTD admissions committee.

Dr. Brooks is passionate about occupational therapy and ensuring the pursuit of meaningful occupations as a life-long learner. Her research interests include transitions between schools, sensory integration, spirituality in higher education and pedagogy. She has been involved in her community through various advisory boards.