Mara Podvey , PhD, OTR, PMH-C, FAOTA
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
(973) 275-2843
Email
Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus
Room 3336
Mara Podvey, PhD, OTR, PMH-C, FAOTA
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
I joined the faculty of the Occupational Therapy program at Seton Hall University in 2010. My current clinical practice interests include pediatrics and perinatal health. My scholarly work includes early childhood transitions, the co-development of a pediatric scissors skills program, and promoting and advancing women’s health occupational therapy. I teach in courses across the occupational therapy curriculum, including foundational occupational therapy courses and pediatrics-focused courses. For the past several years I have collaborated with colleagues on an interprofessional pediatrics program for professional level students, as well as an ethics pilot project. In addition to clinical practice, teaching, and scholarship, I am an active member of my professional occupational therapy community at the local, national, and international levels. I am certified in perinatal mental health by Postpartum Support International and recently completed a professional certificate in school-based practice from the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Education
- PhD in Occupational Therapy, New York University
- MS in Occupational Therapy, Seton Hall University
- BS in Exercise Science and Sport Studies, Douglass College at Rutgers University
Scholarship
Grants
- 2023: Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Project Transitions: An interdisciplinary training program for OT and SLP scholars to support transitions for school-age children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Key personnel - $1.18 million (funded)
- 2016: Seton Hall University CDI Assessment Grant, Evaluating the Impact of Curriculum Changes on Student Readiness for the Occupational Therapy Certification Exam. Co-PI - $2,350 (funded
Publications
- Podvey, M., Picard, M., Lichtman, E., Sponseller, L., & Reaume, C. (2021, August). Infusing women’s health into entry-level occupational therapy education. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections.
- Halliwell, N., Podvey, M., Sylvester, L., & DeGrace, B. (2021). Experience of sleep for families of young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
- Blacker, J., Mathias, K. Lee, T., Peek, H., & Podvey. M. (2020, November). Occupational therapy’s role in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections, 5(4), 27-29.
- Myers, C. T., & Podvey, M. C. (2019). Best practices in transition planning for preschoolers. In G. Frolek Clark & B. E. Chandler (Eds.), Best Practices in School Occupational Therapy (2nd ed., pp. 189-192). AOTA Press.
- Podvey, M. (2018b, May). Maternal mental health and occupational therapy: A good fit. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections, 3(2), 17-19.
- Podvey, M. (2018, February). Interprofessional collaborations in maternal health. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections, 3(1), 10-12.
- Podvey, M., & Myers, C. (2018). Transitions for Children and Youth: How Occupational Therapy Can Help. American Occupational Therapy Association.
- Orentlicher, M. L., Case, D., Podvey, M. C., Myers, C. T., Rudd, L. Q., & Schoonover, J. (2017). Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): What is Occupational Therapy’s Role in Transition Services and Planning? American Occupational Therapy Association.
- Myers, C., & Podvey, M. (2014). Living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Supporting a smooth transition to preschool. American Occupational Therapy Association.
- Myers, C., & Podvey, M. (2014, March). Occupational therapy practitioners’ roles in early childhood transition. Early Intervention & School Special Interest Section Quarterly, 21(1), 1–4.
- Podvey, M. C., Hinojosa, J., & Koenig, K. (2013). Reconsidering insider status for families during the transition from early intervention to preschool special education. Journal of Special Education. 46(4), 211-222.
- Podvey, M. C., Hinojosa, J., & Koenig, K. (2010). The transition experience to pre-school for six families with children with disabilities. Occupational Therapy International, 17(4), 177-187.
- Podvey, M. C., & Hinojosa, J. (2009). Transition from early intervention to preschool special education services: Family-centered practice that promotes positive outcomes. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools and Early Intervention, 2(2), 73-83.
- Podvey, M. C. (2009). Experiences of families who receive related therapy services as they transition from early intervention to preschool special education [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. New York University.
- Chen, C. C., & Cohen, M. E. (2008, December). Manual Ability, Depression Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Physical Disabilities Special Interest Section Quarterly, 31, 1-4.
- Podvey, M., Picard, M., Lichtman, E., Sponseller, L., & Reaume, C. (In press.) Infusing women’s health into entry-level occupational therapy education. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections.
- Halliwell, N., Podvey, M., Sylvester, L., & DeGrace, B. (In press.) Experience of Sleep for Families of Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
- Blacker, J., Mathias, K. Lee, T., Peek, H., & Podvey. M. (2020, November). Occupational therapy’s role in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections, 5(4), 27-29.
- Myers, C. T., & Podvey, M. C. (2019). Best practices in transition planning for preschoolers. In G. Frolek Clark & B. E. Chandler (Eds.), Best Practices in School Occupational Therapy (2nd ed., pp. 189-192). AOTA Press.
- Podvey, M. (2018b, May). Maternal mental health and occupational therapy: A good fit. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections, 3(2), 17-19.
- Podvey, M. (2018, February). Interprofessional collaborations in maternal health. Special Interest Section Quarterly Practice Connections, 3(1), 10-12.
- Podvey, M., & Myers, C. (2018). Transitions for Children and Youth: How Occupational Therapy Can Help. American Occupational Therapy Association.
Presentations (Recent)
- Podvey, M. (Accepted). Advocacy for Women's Health Occupational Therapy: Creating Opportunities [Poster presentation]. 2024 American Occupational Therapy Association Conference & Expo, Orlando, FL.
- Podvey, M. (Accepted). Making the case for OT’s role in maternal mental health. 2023 New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Hillside, NJ.
- Hess, P., Hobson, A., Lee, T., Podvey, M., & Sidar, S. (Accepted.) Advocating for pelvic health in OT curriculum. 2023 OTs in Pelvic Health Summit, Phoenix, AZ.
- Podvey, M. & Sponseller, L. (2022, October). Peds for parents: Supporting parents in the pediatric space. 2022 New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Newark, NJ.
- Sidar, S., Podvey, M., & Akselrud, R. (2022, October 2). Clinicians & academia partnership: Advancing the profession. 2022 OTs in Pelvic Health Summit, Virtual.
- Podvey, M., Jones, J., & Lenington, K. (2022, April). Growing a professional community: Using the community of practice model to develop the women’s health community of practice [Poster presentation]. 2022 American Occupational Therapy Association Conference & Expo, San Antonio, TX.
- Podvey, M. (2021, May 25). Engaging occupational therapy practitioners on the perinatal health team: Opportunities for interprofessional research. IHS IPE Research Seminar Series, Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ.
- Picard, M. M., & Podvey, M. C. (2021, October). Trauma-informed care for women and girls [Short course]. New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Virtual Conference.
- George, K.W., Neubauer N.P., Podvey, M.C. (2020, November 13-15). Pediatric Inter-Professional Education Program in Entry-Level Programs [Practice Fair]. APTA-APPT 2020 Virtual Conference.
- Lothian, J., Hahn, C., Fell, K., Podvey, M., & Sewell, M. (2020, April 29). Pregnancy & COVID-19: Keeping mothers & babies well – An interprofessional discussion moderated by Bryan Pilkington. COVID virtual ethics session #5, Seton Hall University, Nutley, NJ.
- Lenington, K., Farber, R., & Podvey, M. (2020, March, conference cancelled). Occupational Therapy in Women’s Health: Growth, Opportunities, and Next Steps [Conversation that matters]. American Occupational Therapy Association Conference & Expo, Boston, MA. This presentation was turned into a live chat on the AOTA CommunOT Social Media Platform on May 26, 2020.
- Podvey, M., & Kern, L. (2019, October). Assessment and Outcomes Measurement in Maternal Health [Poster presentation]. New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Nutley, NJ.
- Podvey, M., & Kern, L. (2019, April). From Clinicians to Entrepreneurs: Lessons Learned from Starting a New Business from Scratch [Poster presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Podvey, M., Foy, C., & Kern, L. (2019, April). Incorporating Maternal Support into Occupational Therapy Practice [Poster presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Podvey, M., & Sepulveda, A. (2019, April). Maternal Health in the Perinatal Period: A Panel Discussion of Occupational Therapy in an Emerging Practice Area [Conference presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Accomplishments
- American Occupational Therapy Association Roster of Fellows (2021)
- Seton Hall University School of Health and Medical Sciences Interprofessional Education Faculty Award (2017)