Division of Occupational Therapy

Professor
OTD Division and Program Director
843-792-9912 , bendixen@musc.edu

Nancy Carson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, serves as associate dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs and professor in the Division of Occupational Therapy of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. Carson completed clinical training in occupational therapy at MUSC and received a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from the University of South Carolina.

As Associate Dean, she works with all programs within the College of Health Professions to ensure compliance with academic policies and procedures, supports faculty processes, and supports faculty development. As an academic educator and professor, she teaches occupational therapy and participates in interprofessional education initiatives. With over 25 years of academic experience, she was named to the Roster of Fellows by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 2016 for her significant contributions to the continuing education and professional development of its members.

Assistant Professor
Doctoral Capstone Director
843-792-0776 , crawfore@musc.edu

Associate Professor
AOTA Emerging and Innovative Practice Award;
MUSC Innovator of the Year

Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
843-876-9010 , hannern@musc.edu

Dr. Scott Hutchison is an occupational therapist and assistant professor in the Residential Occupational Therapy program at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has been an OT since 2006, and much of his clinical career was in Medicare-certified home health and Hospice. The primary role of OTs is to maximize a client’s independence and engagement in life’s meaningful activities and occupations, from basic dressing or feeding to complex baking, working, or caregiving. OT is appropriate for clients in all stages of life. Dr. Hutchison is passionate about extending the services of OT to more clients receiving Palliative Care who may be limited from engagement due to pain, breathlessness, weakness, limited mobility, and cognitive impairments. He is also an OT Doctorate Capstone advisor and mentor to students developing projects in Palliative Care and Oncology Rehabilitation.

Assistant Professor
American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Intervention Grant Recipient;
CARES Student-Run Free Therapy Clinic Faculty Advisor

Dr. Morrow's overall research goal is to improve the delivery of rehabilitation to maximize patient outcomes and access to care while minimizing barriers including cost. He applies concepts of health economics to rehabilitation to help patients, therapists, and policymakers make objective, data-driven decisions. He is a 2023 American Occupational Therapy Foundation Health Services grant recipient for his project "Access to Tele-rehabilitation for Rural and Socially Disadvantaged Stroke Survivors during COVID-19". Dr. Morrow was also a 2022 Learning Health Systems Scholar when he was partnered with the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Assistive Technology.

Assistant Professor
843-792-2258 , mulrenbc@musc.edu

Associate Professor
Director of Admissions
AOTA Board Director 2020-2023;
Journal of OT Education Editorial Board

Professor
Director, Post-Professional OTD Program, FAOTA
Inquiries: woodbuml@musc.edu , 843-792-1671

Assistant Professor,
Division of Physical Therapy
843-792-6473 , seamon@musc.edu

Associate Professor
OTD Hybrid Director
854-204-9205 , kirchen@musc.edu

Associate Professor
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
843-897-1847 , armsteaa@musc.edu

Dr. Ausec earned his Bachelor of Education in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Georgia and his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University. In 2025, he earned his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy through the Medical University of South Carolina's Post-Professional OTD Program.

Dr. Ausec has 13 years of clinical experience, primarily in pediatric-based settings. He holds specialty certifications in autism spectrum disorder, sensory integration, and pediatric trauma and attachment disorders. Dr. Ausec has held various leadership positions with the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (SCOTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

In 2019, Dr. Ausec transitioned to academia as adjunct faculty and moved to a full-time instructor in 2023. His scholarly interests include the topics of pediatrics, sensory integration, and professional development, including research related to the Mauna Model, a conceptual model he developed that focuses on the professional development of OT professionals.

Dr. Blankenship earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. She later completed her Doctorate in Health Science at the University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For over a decade, Dr. Blankenship practiced in hospital and outpatient settings, specializing in pediatric occupational therapy. Her primary focus was working with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and complex neurological conditions. During her clinical career, she contributed to the development of a specialized protocol for the early treatment of unilateral cerebral palsy.

In 2024, Dr. Blankenship transitioned to full-time academia. Her teaching centers on her clinical expertise, particularly in pediatrics and neurological rehabilitation. Her scholarly interests include constraint-induced movement therapy, dynamic movement intervention, and follow-up care for infants discharged from the NICU.

Assistant Professor and Admissions Co-Coordinator
843-792-9823 , bodiez@musc.edu
 

Assistant Professor
Doctoral Capstone Director
843-867-2044 , ghulmi@musc.edu

Professor
843-310-0959 , rogesand@musc.edu

Assistant Professor
Admissions Coordinator
854-204-9412 , scanlone@musc.edu

854-204-9285 , wilhelmm@musc.edu

Associate Professor, Hybrid DPT
854-204-9145 , griswoda@musc.edu

Associate Professor, Hybrid DPT
843-405-0982 , longbott@musc.edu

Student Services Coordinator
Programs Supported:
Doctor of Physical Therapy Hybrid (DPTh)
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Hybrid (OTDh)
guthrieb@musc.edu

Administrative Assistant
843-792-4827 ,  mcelroyk@musc.edu

Student Services Program Coordinator
tuckeama@musc.edu
843-792-4570