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About Kristine Haertl, PhD, ACE, OTR/L, FAOTA

Kristine Haertl, Ph.D., ACE, OTR/L, FAOTA, has been with St. Catherine University since 1997. She loves teaching and outside of the department has taught additional courses in the psychology department and in the CORE. She too has served for a number of years on the CORE Lead committee.
Within the department, Kristi has taught masters and doctoral courses related to foundations of occupational science, educational methods and practice, sensory-perceptual-cognitive processing, and introductory and advanced mental health practice.

Kristi has been active in mental health research related to peer-supported mental health housing models and exploration of the nature and efficacy of services at a free standing psychiatric occupational therapy clinic. Kristi's research has lead to legislative changes regarding evidenced based mental health practice in Minnesota and has helped secure funding for the development of Fairweather housing units in Pennsylvania. In addition to full time faculty work, Kristi has served as the Chair of a large mental health board in Minnesota, is currently the President of the Tasks Unlimited Training Center board and on the Executive board for Tasks Inc., and maintains a private practice serving persons with psychiatric disorders and developmental disabilities. Kristi was honored to receive the St. Catherine University Faculty of the Year Teaching and Advising Award in 2008, she was Awarded a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) in 2012, she was inducted into the founding members of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Leaders and Legacy Society in 2015 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tasks Unlimited in 2019 and life time achievement awards from additional organizations. Kristi has over 50 publications, 3 books, and 175 national and international presentations.

Outside of occupational therapy, Kristi taught group fitness/ aerobics for over 35 years and enjoys activities related to sports and exercise, church, and outdoors. Kristi loves teaching in all venues and in addition to her 2008 Teaching Advising award at St. Catherine University she received Group Fitness Instructor of the Year Awards (2003) on a local, regional and national level.

Positions

Present Professor, Occupational Therapy, St. Catherine University ‐ Occupational Therapy Department
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Curriculum Vitae

Disciplines

Research Interests

Grants

2010 - 2022 Multiple Internal Grants
St. Catherine University
2006 - 2010 Tasks Grant Activities
Legislature
Research- Legislative Funding for Housing Units
Role: Research Helped lead to Funding for multiple lodge units over $200,000 each
Colleague(s): Tasks Unlimited
$1,000,000
2005 Faculty Research and Scholarly Activity Grant
College of St. Catherine
$1,750
1999 - 2003 Level II Fieldwork Supervision and Consultation to Thunderspirit Lodge
College of St. Catherine
SIG Grant
$4,000
2001 RISE Fieldwork Site
College of St. Catherine
Directed Thesis Project
$3,000
$
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2020 - Present Invited Guest of World OT Think Tank, World Occupational Therapists
2017 - Present Legal Committee Chair, Society for the Study of Occupation/SSO: USA
2017 - Present Member Board of Directors, Society for the Study of Occupation/SSO: USA
2015 - Present Co-Founder/Co-Chair, Occupational Therapy for the Advancement of Minnesota Mental Health Services
2006 - Present Committee consultant in psychiatric and cognitive specialty areas, American Occupational Therapy Association
2003 - Present Legal Committee Member, Society for the Study of Occupation/SSO: USA
2002 - Present Consultant, National Coalition on Community Living
2018 - 2018 Scholarship Review Committee, American Occupational Therapy Foundation
2014 - 2018 AOTF Scholarship Review Committee Chair, American Occupational Therapy Foundation
2017 Consultant and featured speaker for mental health specialty conference, American Occupational Therapy Association
2013 - 2017 Conference Committee Member, Society for the Study of Occupation/SSO: USA
2007 - 2009 Member Board of Directors, Society for the Study of Occupation/SSO: USA
2007 - 2009 Legal Committee Chair, Society for the Study of Occupation/SSO: USA
2007 Mental Health Evidenced Based Practice Work Group, American Occupational Therapy Association
2006 - 2007 Acting Legal Committee Chair and SSO Board Member, Society for the Study of Occupation/SSO: USA
2005 - 2006 Consultant in psychosocial and cognitive specialty areas for certification, American Occupational Therapy Association
1985 - 1987 Committee for Development of Fieldwork Evaluation Member, American Occupational Therapy Association
1986 Commission on Education Representative, American Occupational Therapy Association
Member, International Society of Occupational Science
Co-Founder/Co-Chair, Occupational Therapy for the Adv. of MN Mental Health Svcs., Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association
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Honors and Awards

  • Top 10 Reviewer- Annals of International Occupational Therapy Editorial Board Award (2021) <I received the award for being one of their top quantity and quality reviewers
  • Make a Difference Outstanding Service Award (2019) < Awarded from Tasks Unlimited- Mental Health Corp. - Over 30 years of Board Service
  • American Occupational Therapy Foundation Meritorious Service Award (2019
  • Marquis Who's Who Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award (2007 & 2018)
  • Nominated Multiple Times for Faculty Teaching and Advising Award- Won in 2008
  • Leaders & Legacy Society Founding Inducted Member (2017) <Induction ceremony held in Nashville at the Country Music Hall of Fame
  • Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association Communication Award (2015)
  • Marquis Who's Who in the World (several years)
  • Legacy Circle Member- AOTA (inducted in 2014)
  • Outstanding Service Award- (2014) - Tasks Unlimited
  • Multiple Research and Travel Grants
  • Roster of Fellows (2012) <one of the highest awards granted by the American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Numerous Service Awards- Tasks Unlimited, SSO: USA, MS Society, ARC, Courage Center and others
  • Group Fitness Instructor of the Year 2003 (Won on a State and National Level)
  • Psi Chi Honor Society
  • Selected one of Minnesota's Top Group Fitness Instructors and featured in the "Minnesota Sports Magazine (1999)
  • Numerous Outstanding Employee Awards- Multiple Organizations and years
  • Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association Research Award (2005)
  • Invited Inaugural Representative on World Occupational Therapy Think Tank

Education

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2003 Ph.D., Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota ‐ Health Psychology
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1992 MS, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin ‐ Health Service Administration
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1987 BS, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Honor Society ‐ Occupational Therapy
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Contact Information

Phone: 651-690-6952

Email:

Publications (60)