Shaping the future of health care education: Meet Dr. Monica L. Robinson

At The Ohio State University, students in the online Master of Science in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (MSHRS) program learn from faculty who don’t just teach—they lead, innovate, and actively shape the future of health care. Among them is Dr. Monica L. Robinson, a Professor – Clinical in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences whose career spans more than three decades of clinical practice, leadership, and transformative education.

A career built across the health care continuum

Dr. Robinson is a nationally recognized educator and occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience across diverse care settings. Her work has spanned acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient services, psychiatric and residential mental health, skilled nursing facilities, and community-based primary care.

This breadth of experience gives her a uniquely comprehensive perspective. A perspective that informs her teaching and allows students to understand how health systems function at every level. Her expertise is not only clinical but deeply rooted in systems thinking, helping future professionals see the bigger picture of patient care, policy, and organizational leadership.

A leader in Occupational Therapy and beyond

Dr. Robinson’s credentials reflect both her depth of knowledge and her national impact. She holds a Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and an MS in Advanced Practice Occupational Therapy, and she is board certified in Mental Health by the American Occupational Therapy Association, a distinction earned by fewer than one percent of occupational therapists.

She is also a Fellow of both the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) and the National Academies of Practice (FNAP), honors that recognize her sustained contributions to clinical practice, education, and leadership.

Transforming how health professionals learn

At the core of Dr. Robinson’s work is a passion for improving how students learn. Her teaching and scholarship focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), metacognition, interprofessional education, and creating a sense of belonging in the classroom.

She has taught more than 100 courses across occupational therapy, health sciences, and graduate education. Bringing innovative, evidence-based teaching strategies into every learning experience. Her approach emphasizes active learning, real-world application, and critical thinking, ensuring students are prepared not just to succeed academically, but to lead in complex health care environments.

Her impact as a mentor is equally significant. Dr. Robinson has advised or served on more than 100 master’s and doctoral capstone committees and is frequently invited to mentor students and collaborate with faculty at institutions across the country.

Driving change through leadership and policy

Before transitioning fully into academia, Dr. Robinsonheld a major national leadership role as a corporate clinical consultant for the largest skilled nursing facility organization in the United States. In this role, she led clinical practice initiatives, regulatory compliance, and reimbursement strategies across more than 500 locations in 32 states, supporting thousands of therapy practitioners.

Her expertise in health policy and regulation has also made her a trusted advisor at the national level. She has served as a consultant on Medicare policy, ethics, and compliance, and even contributed as a Medicare fraud expert consultant for the U.S. Department of Justice.

Dr. Robinson has worked closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), representing the American Occupational Therapy Association on key committees and helping shape Medicare policy. Her leadership extends to professional service as well, including roles on national boards and as a two-term president of the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association.

Through this work, she has played a meaningful role in advancing occupational therapy practice, strengthening health systems, and influencing policy at both the state and national levels.

Learning from leaders in the field

Students in Ohio State’s online MSHRS program benefit directly from Dr. Robinson’s experience, insight, and dedication to teaching. Her ability to connect clinical practice, education, and policy gives students a well-rounded perspective that prepares them to lead in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.

For those looking to advance their careers in health and rehabilitation sciences, learning from faculty like Dr. Robinson means gaining more than knowledge. It means gaining mentorship from professionals who are actively shaping the future of the field.

Ready to take the next step?

Whether you’re exploring what you can do with a master’s in health science or searching for a flexible online rehabilitation science master’s degree, Ohio State’s MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program offers a nationally respected, affordable path to advance your career.

Learn more about how this degree can prepare you for leadership, research, and innovation in the health and rehabilitation professions. Connect with one of our expert Enrollment Advisors who can help you navigate your next steps or apply to start your next chapter today.