Frances Adamo-Cass, OTD, OTR/L, OTA/L
Clinical Associate Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator- Occupational Therapy
Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Background
Frances Adamo-Cass joined Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences in October 2024 as a clinical associate professor and academic fieldwork coordinator for the Division of Occupational Therapy.
Adamo-Cass specializes in pediatrics, more precisely, the physical and mental health challenges of children and adolescents. She has multiple certifications, including neurodevelopmental treatment in pediatrics, sensory integration and praxis test, and advanced therapeutic listening. She is also a certified kinesio-taping practitioner.
She has practiced for over 38 years as a certified occupational therapy assistant and occupational therapist in various clinical areas across the healthcare and lifespan continuum. These include early intervention and school-based, pediatric and adolescent residential care; home care; acute care; long-term and short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation; and in her own OT consulting practice.
Adamo-Cass has been involved in academia for over a decade. She began her teaching career in 1986 as an adjunct faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at the former Maria Regina College in Syracuse, N.Y., while simultaneously practicing in the field. In 2015, she became the founding academic fieldwork coordinator for the OTA program at Bryant & Stratton College's Syracuse campus. Two years later, she stepped into the OTA program director role there.
She earned her Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) degree from Quinnipiac University in 2017 and is working on her dissertation for a Doctor of Education degree, specializing in Higher Education, which she expects to complete in January 2025.
Adamo-Cass continues to practice pro bono for pediatrics and, for the past several years, has served on the Community Options Business Advisory Council in Syracuse.
Education
- PP-OTD, 2017, Quinnipiac University
- Bridge MS, 2015, Quinnipiac University
- BS, occupational therapy, 1985, University of Buffalo
- AAS, occupational therapy assistant, 1982, Herkimer County Community College
Research Interests
- Mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents
- Developing clinical competency
Clinical Interests
- Early intervention and school-based practice
- Mental health practice
- Health literacy, health promotion and advocacy
