Richelle L. Gray, OTD, OTR/L, ATP/SMS, CDP

Assistant Professor

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Human Performance - Occupational Therapy

Classification:

Faculty

• OTD, The University of Toledo, 2016
• BS, The University of Toledo, 2013

Gray, R. L.  (2024). The experiences of routine powered mobility users in an assisted living facility: A case study. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(3), 1-11.  https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2245

Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Practice, The University of Toledo, 2016

Dr. Richelle Gray joined WVU in 2023. She has extensive clinical experience in various adult settings including skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, outpatient care, acute care, and long-term acute care. While pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy, Richelle competed as an NCAA Division I student-athlete in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track for The University of Toledo.  She was a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) from 2013 to 2018.  Richelle earned her Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD), and Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Practice in 2016, graduating with honors as a member of Pi Theta Epsilon.  As a lifelong learner, she holds several professional certifications:  Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), Seating Mobility Specialist (SMS), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and Certified AOTA Fieldwork Educator. Additionally, she has completed specialty training in aquatic therapy, NEURO-IFRAH, Ride Designs seating, and contracture management.

Richelle has presented at both the state and national levels on topics such as powered mobility assessments, safe patient handling, Level I fieldwork experiences, and the use of the Care Tool for Medicare reimbursement. Before joining WVU, she was an adjunct faculty for The University of Toledo for six years and worked full-time as an occupational therapist in a continuum care community.

With a strong desire to engage in research and mentor students, Richelle is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University, with plans to graduate in May 2025. Her research interests include powered mobility assessments with cognitive influences, power wheelchair mobility training, inter-professional education, Go Baby Go Program,  and maintenance therapy for neurological diagnoses. 

Occupational Therapy

Dr. Gray has a desire to contribute to the occupational therapy profession through dissemination of research. Her clinical experience as an OT with older adults led to research interests in powered mobility assessments with a cognitive influence, power wheelchair mobility training, interventions to improve dementia care, managing incontinence in older adults, and maintenance therapy for neurological diagnoses. As an instructor, Dr. Gray is interested in research focused on inter-professional education and fieldwork teaching/learning strategies.

Dr. Gray conducts off-road driving risk evaluations through simulation and a series of clinical tests to assess the driving skills and safety necessary for a return to on-road driving.  She is a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP, and a Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS).  In our multidisciplinary clinic, she performs mobility and seating evaluations, as well as augmentative and alternative communication evaluations for both pediatric and adult patients in collaboration with our speech-language pathology and physical therapy specialists.

Richelle has successfully supported clients by writing grants to provide assistive technology when insurance does not cover the item(s).  Additionally, she serves as a faculty mentor to occupational therapy students in the Parkinson's Disease Music, Movement, and Voice Group.  She also facilitates the seating and mobility process through WVU's Go Baby Go program, which provides ride-on toy cars to children with developmental and/or motor disabilities.