Rate My Professor Allen Keener

Dr. Allen Keener is Professor and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University. He holds a PhD in Rehabilitation and Health Sciences from the University of Kentucky (2024), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) from Eastern Kentucky University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Before entering academia, Keener served as a fifth-grade classroom teacher and practiced occupational therapy in various settings, including outpatient pediatrics and adults, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, inpatient mental health, home health, and rehabilitation management. He is certified as an Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed (OTR/L) and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) through RESNA since 2017, with additional certifications in online course development and teaching, and physical agent modalities.

Prior to joining Eastern Kentucky University in 2019, Dr. Keener was tenured faculty and Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Wallace State Community College. There, he earned the Alabama Community College System Chancellor's Award of Excellence in 2016 for his program work and college service, and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award of Excellence for Teaching and Leadership in 2019. At EKU, he received the College of Health Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award. Key publications include his dissertation 'The Health Literacy Practices of Rehabilitation Providers of Perioperative Orthopedic Education' (2024) and co-authorship of the book 'Occupational Therapy Groups for Addressing Mental Health Challenges in School-Aged Populations: A Tier II Resource' (2023, with Brad Egan and Cindy Sears). His research focuses on assistive technology, health literacy, mental health and community practice, occupation-based practice, scholarship of teaching and learning, and OT's role in psychosocial practice. Dr. Keener serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education and as Membership Chair of the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association.