Sheryl Ryan

College of Health, Human Services and Nursing
Department of Occupational Therapy
Assistant Professor
310-243-2269
sryan@csudh.edu

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy – Intercultural Studies. 2015. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA

Master of Science – Intercultural Studies. 2006. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA

Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy. 1989. University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA

BIO

Dr. Ryan entered the field of occupational therapy in 1989. She has worked in adult inpatient acute and neurological rehabilitation, pediatric outpatient clinic and school-based practice, and academic education. Her teaching interests include research, qualitative research methodologies, clinical reasoning, and the capstone experience.

SCHOLARSHIP AGENDA

Dr. Ryan has expertise in qualitative research and qualitative methodologies. As part of her scholarship of discovery, application and teaching, Dr. Ryan is invested in advising student qualitative research studies through construction, completion, presentation, and publication. Her own research has aimed at health promotion in community settings and among children/families.

ACADEMIC POSITIONS HELD

Assistant Professor – Department of Occupational Therapy. 2019 August – Present. California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA.

Instructor – Department of Occupational Therapy. 2017 June – 2019 July. Stanbridge University, Irvine, CA.

Research Fellow – School of Intercultural Studies. 2018 September – 2021 March. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

Adjunct Assistant Professor – School of Intercultural Studies. 2015 – 2019. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

Instructor in Training - School of Intercultural Studies. 2008-2011. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

Teaching Assistant – School of Intercultural Studies. 2004-2006. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

ARTICLES IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS

Ryan, S., Bolten, E., Abolhosn, N., Adams, J., & Bocianski, H. (2023). It doesn’t die within you”: Outdoor recreation participation following spinal cord injury. OTJR, published online May 30, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492231175070
Ryan, S. (2022). Describing the post-adoption mental health support needs of adoptive families: Implications for occupational therapy. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, Published online 02 March, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2022.2041530
Swiatek, D., Ryan, S., & Peralta, T. (2021). Older adults in an LGBT residential community: Impact of a safe space on occupation and well-being. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 9(4), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1829
Ryan, S., Flank, S., Vesagas, T., & Tolentino, E. (2020). Occupational ideation and
participation among middle school students in a college-going culture program. Journal of Occupational Science. Published online 12 August, 2020. https://doi-org.libproxy.csudh.edu/10.1080/14427591.2020.1799848
Krause, D., Ryan, S., Krpalek, D., Roll, S. C., Javaherian-Dysinger, H., & Daher, N. (2019). Participants’ perceptions of Kinesio tape for carpal tunnel syndrome: A qualitative study. Hand Therapy Journal, 24(2), 37-47. https://doi-org.libproxy.csudh.edu/10.1177/1758998319841646
Ryan, S. (2014). A wolf in sheep's clothing: A missiological examination of the United States evangelical adoption and orphan care movement. Missiology: An International Review 42(4), 1-14. https://doi.org.libproxy.csudh.edu/10.1177/0091829613505676

REFEREED PRESENTATIONS & CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Simmons, C., Rezvani, S., & Ryan, S. (2022, October). Tattoos and stilettos: The meaning of clothing for disabled adults. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.
Lee, L., Kim, M., & Ryan, S. (2022, October). Experiences of male OTs on delivering hands-on care to female pediatric clients. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.
Lee, R., Medalle, Y., Moore, R., & Ryan, S. (2022, October). Occupational participation in LGBTQIA+ individuals after coming out. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.
Ngo, S., Ignacio, F., & Ryan, S. (2022, October). Experiences of occupational therapists working with unhoused populations. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.
Fan, H., Chavez, S., German, J., & Ryan, S. (2022, October). Community-based practice for underserved stroke survivors. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.
Ryan, S. (2021, October). Adoptive family health, stress, and support: A needs assessment. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, virtual, California.
Ryan, S., Lawson, E., Miller, K., & Mingoia, C. (2020, October). Maneuvering the minefield: Dating with congenital physical disabilities. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, virtual, California.
Ryan, S. (2020, March). Childhood occupations: More than school and play. Paper presentation at the Western Regional Occupational Therapy Spring Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ryan, S., Decena, K., Higa, A., Jones, C., & Lockwood, E. (2020, March). Teens with ADHD: Factors associated with driving errors. Paper presentation at the Western Regional Occupational Therapy Spring Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ryan, S., Flank, S., Latz, C., Tolentino, E., & Vesagas, T. (2019, April). "You gotta do it right the first time": Occupational therapy’s role in middle school to college transitions for youth in an underserved community. Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ryan, S., Cross, J., Frank, K., Orrico, K., & Patel, N. (2019, April). Community based social-emotional development: An Urban Compass playbook. Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ryan, S., Flank, S., Latz, C., Tolentino, E., & Vesagas, T. (2019, March). Voices of urban youth: Current and future occupations. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, San Diego, California.
Ryan, S., Cross, J., Frank, K., Orrico, K., & Patel, N. (2018, March). Community based social-emotional development: An Urban Compass playbook. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, San Diego, California.
Ryan, S., Eckman, H., Leano, K., Luong, T., & Silva, H. (2018, March). Raising sensory explorers: A handbook for parents/teachers. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, San Diego, California.
Ryan, S. (2013, February). The bible and reversals of power: A theological corrective to the evangelical adoption and orphan care movement. Paper read at the Intercountry Adoption: Orphan Rescue or Child Trafficking? Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, CA.
Gapultos, D., & Ryan, S. (2008, April). Sensory integration with post-institutionalized children. Paper presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association
Annual Conference, Long Beach, California.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Ryan, S. (2018, September). Cultural humility in occupational therapy practice. In A. Davies & E. Wang (Chairs), MSOT and OTA program fieldwork educator’s seminar. Stanbridge University. Irvine, CA.