Kassandra Boyd
Fair Haven
Summary
Clinical leader with extensive spinal cord injury experience at Children’s Specialized Hospital, specializing in program development and transition services for adolescents and young adults. Proven ability to enhance community reintegration and rehabilitation outcomes through evidence-based treatment and interdisciplinary collaboration. Skilled in driving participant engagement and implementing innovative strategies to improve clinical results. Dedicated to empowering youth with spinal cord injuries, and their families, in their recovery journeys.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Spinal Cord Program Clinical Coordinator
Children’s Specialized Hospital-Inpatient Rehabilitation
New Brunswick
04.2023 - Current
- Founded and lead True Grit SCI, a goal-driven rehabilitation and transition program for adolescents and young adults with spinal cord injuries, addressing independent living, prevention of secondary complications, adaptive sports, community reintegration, vocational and educational advancement, and peer mentorship
- Direct program development, strategic growth, participant recruitment, peer mentor training, and event execution including one-day intensives and week-long residential experiences
- Supervise interdisciplinary OT, PT staff, and volunteer clinical staff supporting program delivery.
- Establish and manage partnerships with universities, healthcare systems, and community organizations
- Serve as Doctoral Capstone Experiential Mentor for Rutgers University OTD students completing projects related to True Grit SCI
Occupational Therapist, OTD, OTR/L (Per Diem; previously Full-Time)
Children’s Specialized Hospital-Inpatient Rehabilitation
New Brunswick
10.2013 - Current
- Primary therapist on general rehabilitation and spinal cord injury teams providing evaluation and evidence-based treatment for infants through young adults with brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, multi-trauma, oncology, chronic illness, and complex medical conditions
- Deliver home evaluations, environmental modifications, school re-entry planning, and community reintegration services
- Specialized competencies in aquatic therapy, manual therapy, splinting, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and therapeutic taping
- Mentor clinicians in spinal cord injury, upper extremity assessment, intervention planning, and occupation-based practice
- Developed and coordinated Skills Lab Mentoring Program for staff clinical advancement
- Member, Oncology Best Practice Task Force
- Certified in Physical Agent Modalities
Education
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy -
University of St. Augustine
St Augustine, FL08.2020
M.S. - Occupational Therapy
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut08.2013
B.A. - Psychology
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, New York05.2011
Skills
- Program development
- Evidence-based treatment
- Community reintegration
- Strategic planning
- Interdisciplinary coordination
- Clinical leadership
- Rehabilitation services
Fieldwork
- Yale Hospital, New Haven, CT, 04/13, 07/13, Evaluated and treated pediatric-adult population on neuro, oncology, neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care units, Facilitated discharge planning with rehabilitation team, clients, and families
- Lord Chamberlain Rehabilitation Center, Stratford, CT, 01/13, 03/13, Evaluated and treated adults-geriatric population in the skilled nursing facility setting, Provided caregiver training, home visits, and discharge recommendations/planning
Selected Presentations And Media
- True Grit SCI Program Development and Outcomes, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference, 2025
- True Grit Camp: Disabled NJ Teens Reclaim Independence, PBS / NJ Spotlight News, 2025
- Discussion on True Grit SCI mission, development, and community impact, The QuadLife Podcast, 2024
- National episode highlighting the True Grit SCI community-based rehabilitation model, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Podcast, 2025
- Innovation in Spinal Cord Programming 60 minute Course, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Annual Scientific Meeting, 2025
- True Grit SCI & Transition Strategies, Rutgers University Panel Discussion, 2026
Activities
- Marist College Division I (MAAC) Women’s Soccer, Representative, Student Athlete Captain's Council, Member, MAAC All-Academic Team, Recipient, NCAA Athletic Scholarship
- Special Olympics Volunteer
- Therapy Missions Team Member- provided volunteer OT services in Guatemala, New Orleans, Jamaica
Timeline
Spinal Cord Program Clinical Coordinator
Children’s Specialized Hospital-Inpatient Rehabilitation
04.2023 - Current
Occupational Therapist, OTD, OTR/L (Per Diem; previously Full-Time)
Children’s Specialized Hospital-Inpatient Rehabilitation
10.2013 - Current
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy -
University of St. Augustine
M.S. - Occupational Therapy
Sacred Heart University
B.A. - Psychology
Marist College