Dr. Michele Tilstra, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, CHT became the Occupational Therapy Program Director at the University of Western States on March 1, 2024. She has a PhD in Health Science (2023), a post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (2018) and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (1995). She was initially certified by the National Board Certification of Occupational Therapy in 1995 and the Certification of Hand Therapy Commission in 2002.
Dr. Tilstra is a licensed OT in Ohio (1995) and Oregon (2024). She has been in clinical practice for 29 years in various settings, including hand therapy, mental health, acute care, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing and home health. She began adjunct teaching in January 2018 and transitioned to full-time academia in June of 2018. She was the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at Walsh University (WU) from June 2018 – June 2023. She then became the Program Director from July 2023 to February 2024 for the MOT, PPOTD and developing Entry-level OTD programs at WU. She is the co-director for the Counselors and Occupational Therapists Professionally Engaged (COPE) in the Community Program at Walsh University, which is a 1.9-million-dollar grant, funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET).
Dr. Tilstra has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals with research interests, including facilitating student mental wellness and cultural competence with humility. She has 10+ years of volunteer experience in teaching and leading psychosocial groups for people with dysfunctional relationships, sexual traumas and/or addictions. She has taught many continuing education courses at the local, state and national level for occupational therapy providers and the community. She is a member of Ohio Occupational Therapy Association and AOTA, Mental Health Specialty Interest Section.
Dr. Tilstra is actively involved in her local church, including teaching, prayer team, and hosting services. She has been married for 30 years, has 3 sons and 2 dogs. She enjoys taking walks, Zumba, crafting and reading.
