Her Story
About Renee
Dr. Renee Causey-Upton is a Professor, Associate Chair, and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University, where she has served as faculty for over 13 years and as Associate Chair for the past three years. She also serves as adjunct faculty in the collaborative Rehabilitation and Health Sciences PhD Program at the University of Kentucky. Her leadership responsibilities include overseeing admissions, advising doctoral students, guiding curriculum development, and managing academic and administrative initiatives that support occupational therapy education. A licensed occupational therapist and accomplished academic leader, Dr. Causey-Upton specializes in occupational therapy education, academic leadership, curriculum development, preoperative education, and orthopedic rehabilitation. Her research has focused extensively on preoperative education, discharge readiness, and occupation-based interventions for orthopedic populations, particularly individuals undergoing total knee replacement. She is also a co-founder of the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal that advances scholarship in occupational therapy education worldwide. Dr. Causey-Upton's professional achievements include being named a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) and earning the Credentialed Leader in Academia (CLA) designation through AOTA. She has received numerous honors for her leadership, research, and service, including the AOTA Roster of Fellows Award, the APEX Grand Award for Publication Excellence (Journal of Occupational Therapy Education), the Kentucky Occupational Therapy Association's Outgoing Leadership Service Award, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation for her service. Inspired by her father's experience living with polio, she remains dedicated to educating future occupational therapists, advancing evidence-based practice, and fostering leadership within the profession.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Renee
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, determination, and the strong support I have received from other women leaders throughout my career. Their mentorship and encouragement have helped me navigate challenges, remain focused on my goals, and continue growing as both an educator and a leader.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to be intentional about choosing opportunities. It is important to recognize not only which opportunities align with your goals and values, but also when an opportunity is not the right fit. Thoughtful decision-making has been essential to my professional growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to be selective about the opportunities they pursue. Learn to recognize when the timing is right and when it is appropriate to say no. Avoid overextending yourself, remain focused on your long-term goals, and choose experiences that will contribute meaningfully to your professional and personal development.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges facing occupational therapy education today is the decline in student applicants compared with the years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing this challenge requires continued efforts to promote the profession, support prospective students, and strengthen educational pathways for future occupational therapists.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life are centered on people, supporting others, and family. I believe in investing in those around me, helping students and colleagues succeed, and maintaining strong personal relationships while serving the occupational therapy profession with integrity and compassion.
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