Kathryn Siller | Health Professions | SIU

Education:

• Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences
  Center, Lubbock, TX 2024
• Master of Occupational Therapy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
  2017
• Bachelor of Science in General Rehabilitative Services, University of Texas Pan American,
  Edinburg, TX 2013

Licenses and Certifications:

• Licensed Occupational Therapist, Illinois
• Licensed Occupational Therapist, Texas
• Registered Occupational Therapist, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
• Physical Agent Modalities (C/PAM)

Overview:

Dr. Kathryn H. Siller is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Program of Occupational
Therapy at Southern Illinois University. She brings over six years of clinical experience across
pediatric, adult, and geriatric practice settings, including outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation,
skilled nursing, home health, and community reintegration programs. Bilingual in English and
Spanish, she has served diverse patient populations in Texas and Nebraska.

Research:

Her doctoral capstone, Occupational Therapy’s Role in Maternal Health, examined how
occupational therapists can address the holistic needs of women during the third trimester and
postpartum period, with emphasis on physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being. More
broadly, her research interests include community-based practice, maternal health, inpatient
rehabilitation, and the influence of social determinants of health on participation and quality of
life. She is dedicated to advancing the occupational therapy profession by promoting
equitable, client-centered approaches that expand practice into emerging areas and strengthen
the connection between education, research, and clinical care.

Teaching:

At SIU, Dr. Siller teaches in the entry-level OTD program, integrating her clinical background, 
bilingual practice experience, and focus on health equity into her teaching. She emphasizes case-based learning, reflective practice, and interprofessional collaboration to prepare students for emerging and traditional areas of occupational therapy practice.

Clinical Practice:

Dr. Siller’s clinical practice includes pediatric and adult outpatient therapy, home health,
orthopedic and sports therapy, inpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing settings. She has
particular experience in the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological, orthopedic,
cardiopulmonary, and other complex medical conditions, including those related to COVID-19.
Her work emphasizes caregiver training, adaptive equipment use, and home modification to
promote safety, independence, and quality of life.