Janet Falk-Kessler, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA

  • Professor of Emerita of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Occupational Therapy) at CUMC
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Overview

Education and Training

· Doctor of Education in Educational Administration, Columbia University: Teachers College

· Master of Education in Educational Administration, Columbia University: Teachers College

· Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology, Columbia University: Teachers College

· Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, University of Pennsylvania: School of Allied Medical Professions

Academic Appointments

  • Professor of Emerita of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Occupational Therapy) at CUMC

Credentials & Experience

Editorial Boards

Book Chapters, Monographs

· Falk-Kessler, J. (2024). “Professionalism, Communication & Teamwork”, in Schell, B.; Gillen, G., editors; Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy, 14th edition Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Ch. 30.

· Falk-Kessler, J (2021) Psychological Aspects of Stroke Rehabilitation, in Gillen, G., Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function Based Approach, 5th Edition; St. Louis: Elsevier. Ch.15

· Falk-Kessler, J. (2018). “Professionalism, Communication & Teamwork”, in Schell, B.; Gillen, G., editors; Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy, 13th edition; Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Ch. 39

· Falk-Kessler, J (2016) Psychological Aspects of Stroke Rehabilitation, in Gillen, G., Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function Based Approach, 4th Edition; St. Louis: Elsevier. Ch.16

· Falk-Kessler, J. (2014). “Professionalism, Communication & Teamwork”, in Schell, B.; Gillen, G.; Scaffa. M., editors; Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy, 12th edition; Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins ch. 35

· Falk-Kessler, J. (2011). In memoriam. OT Practice Magazine. Feb 21 2011. Pg 5

· Falk-Kessler, J. (2011). Psychological Aspects of Stroke Rehabilitation, in Gillen, G., Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function Based Approach, 3rd Edition; St. Louis: Mosby, Inc. ch. 2

· Falk-Kessler, J. (2004). Psychological Aspects of Stroke Rehabilitation, in Gillen, G. & Burkhardt, A., Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function Based Approach, 2nd Edition; St. Louis: Mosby, Inc. ch. 2.

· Miller, P., Bear-Lehman, J., Falk-Kessler, J. (2003) In the clinic: OT program develops “open-it” to help homebound elders. OT Practice, January 13.

· MacRae, A.; Falk-Kessler, J.; Julin, D.; Radilla, R.; Schultz, S. (1998), "Occupational Therapy Models ", in MacRae, A. and Cara, E., editors; Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: A Clinical Practice; New York: Delmar; ch. 4.

· Falk-Kessler, J. (1996). Student outcomes: A study of students who have participated in special services. (Doctoral Dissertation: Columbia University, 1996) UMI Dissertation Services, 9620149

· Falk, J; editor (1973) Handbook for Handicapped Students: 1st Edition; Franklin Building, University of Pennsylvania.

Editorials

· Falk-Kessler, J. (2021). Elderly prioritized for vaccine, but process difficult for them. Florida Sun Sentinel: January 18, 2021

· Falk-Kessler, J., & Kane, L. (2011). Annalisa Meier. [Letter to the editor]. P&S Journal, Spring 2011:2

· Falk-Kessler, J. (1999). Skills training or occupational therapy for persistent schizophrenia. [Letter to the editor]. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 156:8:1293-1294.

Honors & Awards

· Keynote Speaker. Columbia University Occupational Therapy Commencement Speaker: Are We Fulfilling the Promise of Occupational Therapy? 2024

· Occupational Therapy Leaders and Legacies Society. 2022

· Keynote Speaker. Pi Theta Epsilon Gamma Alpha Chapter Induction Ceremony. Dominican University Occupational Therapists’ Role in Society. 2022

· Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, New York State Occupational Therapy Association. 2021

· Keynote speaker. Interprofessional Education Day, Columbia University The Generational Divide: Why Age Matters. 2018

· Recipient of the President’s Award, New York State Occupational Therapy Association. 2018

· Columbia University Programs in Occupational Therapy establishes the Janet Falk-Kessler Distinguished Lectureship and Day of Scholarship. 2018

· Keynote speaker, American Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, State of the Science Event, Phila, PA. Resilience: The Process and Product of

Occupational Therapy. 2017

· Inducted into the American Occupational Therapy Association’s ROSTER OF FELLOWS, for “outstanding contributions to mental health education”. 1997

· Inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, an Honor Society for Educators, for outstanding contributions to education. 1993

· Sphinx and Key Honor Society for Academic Achievement. 1974

· "The Class of 1958 Award for Scholarship and Service". 1974

Research

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Research Publications in Print or Other Media

· Waldman-Levi A, Friedman Z, Falk-Kessler J, Halperin L, Gordon-Handler L, Akselrud R & Molinsky R (2025). Jewish students' experiences of antisemitism in higher education settings and daily occupations. OTJR: Occupation,

Participation, & Health, 15394492251344525. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15394492251344525

· Halperin, L., & Falk-Kessler, J. (2020). Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Linking Motor and Process Skills, Sensory Patterns, and Psychiatric Symptoms. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 8(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1659

· Gutman, Sharon A., Falk-Kessler, J., Sarafian, A., and Barbour, P. (2019) Emotional Intelligence Admission Essay Scale: Comparison between Essay and Interview Formats Annals of International Occupational Therapy. Annals of International Occupational Therapy : 2:1:1-10. First published online May 2, 2018 DOI: 10.3928/24761222-20180417-02

· Gutman, Sharon A. and Falk-Kessler, J. (2018) Reliability and convergent validity of the Emotional Intelligence Admission Essay Scale Revised. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 81:9:543-550 DOI: 10.1177/0308022618763053

· Gutman, Sharon A. and Falk-Kessler, J. (2016) Development and Psychometric Properties of the Emotional Intelligence Admission Essay Scale, The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. 4: 3:6. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1233

· Falk-Kessler, J., Kalina, J., & Miller, P., (2012). The influence of occupational therapy on resilience in individuals with multiple sclerosis. International Journal of MS Care. 14:160-168.

· Falk-Kessler, J. & Bear-Lehman, J. (2003). Hand function in persons with chronic mental illness: A practice concern. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: 19:1.

· Falk-Kessler, J; Barnowski, C; and Salvant, S. (1994). "Mandatory HIV Testing and Occupational Therapists". American Journal of Occupational Therapy; 48:1:27-37.

· Falk-Kessler, J; and Ruopp, P, (1993). "Prestige and Occupational Therapy in Mental Health”, Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: 12:3:55-67.

· Falk-Kessler, J; Momich, C; and Perel, S; (1991) "Therapeutic Factors in Occupational Therapy Groups", American Journal of Occupational Therapy: 45:l:59-66.

· Falk-Kessler, J; and Quittman, M; (1990) "Functional Ability and Performance on Neuropsychological Indices in Chronic Psychiatric Outpatients": Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: 10:2:1-17.

· Falk-Kessler, J; Quittman, M; and Moore, R; (1988) "The SCSIT: A Potential Tool for Assessing Neurological Impairment in Adult Psychiatric Outpatients", Occupational Therapy Journal of Research: 8:3:131-146.

· Falk-Kessler, J; Quittman, M; and Moore, R; (1988) "Response to Commentary on 'The SCSIT: A Potential Tool for Assessing Neurological Impairment in Adult Psychiatric Outpatients", Occupational Therapy Journal of Research: 8:3:151-154.

· Falk-Kessler, J; and Froschauer, K; (1978), "The Soap Opera: A Dynamic Group Approach for Psychiatric Patients", American Journal of Occupational Therapy: 32:5:317-319.