Richelle L. Gray, PhD, 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
• PhD, Texas Woman's University, 2025

Gray, R. L., Hay, C. C., Pickens, N. D., & Mitchell, K. (2026). Test-retest reliability of the Power-mobility Indoor Driving Assessment for older adults. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00084174261491306

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

Dr. Richelle Gray joined the WVU SOM Occupational Therapy Division in 2023 as an Assistant Professor. She has extensive clinical experience across a variety of adult practice settings, including skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, outpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and long-term acute care. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Gray developed and serves as the occupational therapy lead for the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Seating and Mobility Clinic, an interdisciplinary service specializing in complex wheelchair seating and mobility evaluations for individuals with neurological and mobility impairments.

Dr. Gray earned her PhD in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 2025. Her dissertation, Association Between a Power Mobility Driving Assessment and Cognitive Screening Tool for Older Adults Living in Residential Care, examined relationships between cognitive screening measures and power mobility assessment outcomes among older adults. She earned her Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) and Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Practice from The University of Toledo in 2016, graduating with honors as a member of Pi Theta Epsilon. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from The University of Toledo and held certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) from 2013 to 2018.

As a lifelong learner, Dr. Gray maintains several advanced professional certifications, including Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and Certified AOTA Fieldwork Educator. She has also completed specialty training in aquatic therapy, NEURO-IFRAH, Ride Designs seating systems, contracture management, dementia care, and wheelchair seating and mobility interventions.

Dr. Gray has presented at state, national, and international conferences on topics including power mobility assessment and training, assistive technology, wheelchair seating and mobility, safe patient handling, fieldwork education, Medicare reimbursement, and dementia care. Prior to joining WVU, she served as an adjunct faculty member at The University of Toledo for six years while working full-time as an occupational therapist in a continuing care community.

Her scholarly interests focus on power mobility assessment and training, cognitive influences on mobility and participation, wheelchair seating and mobility interventions, assistive technology, interprofessional education, and pediatric mobility through the Go Baby Go program.

Occupational Therapy

Dr. Gray's research focuses on power mobility assessment and training, cognitive influences on mobility and participation, wheelchair seating and mobility, assistive technology, occupational identity, and co-occupation. Additional interests include pediatric mobility through the Go Baby Go program, dementia care, foster care and family-centered practice, and interventions that promote participation, independence, and quality of life across the lifespan.

Dr. Gray conducts off-road driving risk evaluations through simulation and a series of clinical assessments to evaluate the skills and safety necessary for a return to on-road driving.  She is a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS).  As the occupational therapy lead for the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Seating and Mobility Clinic, she performs comprehensive wheelchair seating and mobility evaluations for individuals with complex medical and mobility needs.  She also provides assistive technology consultations and collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to optimize participation, independence, and quality of life.

In WVU's multidisciplinary assistive technology clinic, Dr. Gray performs mobility and seating evaluations as well as augmentative and alternative communication evaluations for pediatric and adult clients in collaboration with speech-language pathology and physical therapy specialists.  She has successfully supported clients by securing grant funding for assistive technology when equipment is not covered by insurance.

Dr. Gray remains actively involved in the Parkinson's Disease Music, Voice, and Activity Group, where she mentors occupational therapy students and supports interdisciplinary programming designed to promote participation, communication, and quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson's disease.

In addition, she participates in WVU's Go Baby Go program, conducting evaluations and facilitating seating, positioning, and mobility modifications for children with developmental and motor disabilities.  Through this program, children receive adapted ride-on vehicles that promote independent mobility, exploration, and participation in everyday activities.