Traci Swartz, OTD, OTR/L
Program Director
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Dr. Swartz received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. She has extensive clinical and administrative experience, including inpatient rehab, acute care, a residential setting for individuals with developmental disabilities, acute care, driving rehabilitation, and program development. She also has experience with international therapy, and spent a year in Europe assisting with further development of physical rehabilitation in the country of Georgia. Previously, she was founding Program Director of an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and a Research Scientist with the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) at Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Swartz also previously served as a Roster of Accreditation Evaluator with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Eugenia Herbst, OTD, OTR/L
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
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Dr. Herbst received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia (now Augusta University) and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University. Dr. Herbst has practiced as an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years and has extensive clinical experience with clients of varying ages and diagnoses, specializing in neurological disorders. She continues to practice PRN in acute care and outpatient services, as well as home health in the rural middle Georgia area. Throughout her career, she has served in various leadership roles, including providing clinical oversight and program development for multiple programs at nationally recognized institutions in the southeast. She has presented at local, state, regional, and national levels. Dr. Herbst serves as clinical partner for the AgrAbility grant program with the University of Georgia and Shepherd Center. She enjoys developing OT students and new practitioners and was previously a clinical adjunct professor with Brenau University. She also coordinated a clinical education program for OT students at a large rehabilitation facility and served as a clinical trainer and instructor for AOTA’s Fieldwork Educator Certificate program.

Amanda Davis, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
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Dr. Davis received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. Her clinical experiences include working with adults in inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and specialized programs for neurorehabilitation, mental health, and workplace disability. Prior to joining Middle Georgia State, she worked with occupational therapy students in the role of assistant professor, adjunct instructor, role-emerging fieldwork program supervisor, and fieldwork educator.

Emily Riggs, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Assistant Professor
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Dr. Riggs received a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University. She has extensive clinical experience in all areas of pediatric occupational therapy, including acute care, inpatient/outpatient, and school systems, and is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Occupational Therapy Association. She previously was a faculty member in an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in the metro Atlanta area. Additionally, Dr. Riggs currently serves as a Roster of Accreditation Evaluator with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Mary P. Shotwell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Part-Time/Adjunct Faculty
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Dr. Shotwell received a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University, a Master’s in Health Professions Education from the Medical University of South Carolina, and a PhD in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. Dr. Shotwell also earned graduate certificates in Gerontology as well as in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies from the University of Georgia. She has worked in many areas of OT practice including: The US Army, mental health, acute care and inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient neuro, hand therapy, work hardening, school system, vocational programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, pediatrics, home health, and long-term care. Dr. Shotwell has worked at multiple universities as a faculty member with involvement in teaching and research, as well as other roles in leadership. She has served in state and national OT associations and on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). She has authored numerous book chapters as well as peer reviewed journal articles.

Thais K. Petrocelli, OTD, MHA, OTR/L
Part-Time/Adjunct Faculty
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Dr. Petrocelli received a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, a Master of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a post-professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University, as well as an advanced practice certificate in Teaching in the Digital Age from Thomas Jefferson University. She has over 15 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist, and has practiced in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric OT (general and eating disorders), acute care, sub-acute rehabilitation, early intervention, and school-based care. In academia Dr. Petrocelli has served as an adjunct professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, and on the advisory board of an academic-based OT clinic. Her areas of interest include inter-generational learning and understanding, young adults transitioning to adulthood, mental health, and community-based care.