About
I have practiced as a licensed occupational therapist since 2013, working with diverse populations across the Inland Empire and Orange County. My clinical experience includes public school settings, serving students from preschool through high school, as well as telehealth services for rural school districts. I have also worked with adults and older adults in acute rehabilitation, assisted living, and community-based settings. In addition to my clinical practice, I have served in lifestyle medicine consulting roles, supporting adults in group homes and community-dwelling older adults, as well as consulting for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. In 2021, I transitioned to academia full-time and currently serve as Director of Capstone Education and Assistant Professor within a hybrid doctoral occupational therapy program.
I hold a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and an MOT from Loma Linda University, a BS in Nutrition & Food Science from Cal State San Bernardino, and am a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (DipACLM). I also completed the Foundations of Clinical Research Program through Harvard Medical School Postgraduate Medical Education, earning a certificate in clinical research in 2022. Beyond my primary academic role, I take on select side projects — research collaborations, consulting, speaking, curriculum design, and content work — where my clinical and research background can add value.
Areas of Focus
Publications
- Ethically Integrating AI in Occupational Therapy Education: Enhancing Learning and Practice for the Future
- Bridging Occupational Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine: How OT Education Equips Future Practitioners
- Bio-Beats: A Novel Cardiac Rehabilitation Model With Integrated Resistance Training: A Retrospective Analysis of Program Outcomes
- Exploring Reimbursement Pathways for Lifestyle Medicine and Health Promotion Services in Occupational Therapy
- A Pilot Study: Parent Perceptions of Behavior Change in Their Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder Following High Antioxidant Cacao Consumption
- Antioxidants and Autism: Teachers’ Perceptions of Behavioral Changes
- Effect of High Antioxidant Cacao Consumption on Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Full author list on Google Scholar.
Speaking Engagements
I’ve presented on lifestyle medicine, health promotion, and OT practice at the local, state, and national levels on pediatric and adult topics, in addition to the peer-reviewed work listed above. My work has included invited speaking, panel participation, and subject matter expertise for organizations including Duke University's School of Medicine, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and George Washington University’s Office of Integrative Medicine and Health.
Get in Touch
I’m available for select outside projects including speaking engagements, lifestyle medicine coaching, consulting, research collaborations, curriculum development, content and writing, or perhaps something you’re building that could use a clinician-researcher’s eye. Interested in bringing these ideas to your organization? Let’s connect.
The best way to reach me is by email:
amysadekphd@gmail.comPlease share a brief overview of your goals or project, including the topic/area of focus, desired format, and approximate timeline.