Now Open for Registration: UM OT Virtual Open House - Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 @ 5:00 PM MT (Zoom)
Prospective students, learn about UM OT. Use the form below to sign up to register for the UM OT Virtual Open House, scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 at 5 p.m. We'll send you an email with a videoconference link the week of Monday, November 10th.
Faculty & Staff
Meet the Mentors Behind Your Doctoral Journey
Our students learn from clinicians, researchers, and advocates shaping the future of occupational therapy.
UM OT Faculty
Kim McKearnan: Founding Program Director and Assistant Professor
Kim McKearnan, PhD, OTR/L, is the founding director of UM’s pioneering Occupational Therapy Doctorate. A Montana native, she spent more than two decades as a practioner, professor and leader in pediatric acute care and rehabilitation in addition to conducting research on acute and chronic pain assessment and management in children with developmental and acquired disabilities.
Janna Smith: Clinical Assistant Professor/ Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Janna Smith, OTD, OTR/L, is a clinical assistant professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator dedicated to experiential learning, professional formation, and inclusive community practice. She earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Boston University, where her doctoral project focused on emotion regulation and problem-solving interventions for incarcerated women.
Amanda Carroll: Assistant Professor
Amanda L. Carroll, PhD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and assistant professor whose scholarship bridges occupation, mental health, and social determinants of health. With a decade of practice across geriatrics, pediatrics, and mental health, she draws on clinical insight to shape evidence‑informed teaching and community partnerships. Carroll’s research examines veteran resilience, sleep–health relationships, and rural service access, informing population‑level OT interventions and occupational justice initiatives.
Philip Nordeck: Clinical Assistant Professor/Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
Philip Nordeck, OTD, OTR/L, serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and Capstone Coordinator for UM’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. With a clinical doctorate from Rocky Mountain College, he brings expertise in capstone development, pediatric and mental health practice, and interests in innovative OT applications in nature and climate resilience.
