Jose Rafols, EdD, OTD, MHSA, OTR/L, BCTS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Occupational Therapy
Dr. Jose Rafols is a licensed Occupational Therapist with 33 years of experience in orthopedics, upper extremity rehabilitation, poly-trauma, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Long Term Care, and Wound Care. He has also worked in Diabetic Wound care, Outpatient Neurorehabilitation, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) centers and home health.
Dr. Rafols earned his bachelor’s degree in OT from East Carolina University, his master’s degree in Health Administration from Barry University, his Post Professional OTD degree from Creighton University, and his Doctorate of Education from the University of St. Augustine. Dr. Rafols has provided instruction, both in-person and online, since 2006 within the United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Dr. Rafols has presented multiple times at the Florida Occupational Therapy Conference, American Occupational Therapy Conference, and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress in 2018 in Cape Town South Africa. Dr. Rafols is the SIS Chair for Technology at the Florida Occupational Therapy Association.
Dr. Rafols has taught Occupational Therapy theory, and treatment techniques since 2007 and was the founding director of a Post-Professional OTD, entry-level master’s, and entry-level OTD programs. A lifelong learner throughout his career he has obtained four degrees to leverage both clinical knowledge and didactic learning.
Dr. Rafols served in the armed forces with distinction for more than 28 years of combined active and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Army. Dr. Rafols completed a 12-month combat deployment in Eastern Afghanistan where he helped set up on-site clinical rehabilitation and restoration centers for service members with post-blast concussive injuries. He retired at the rank of Major in 2012 in the U.S Army Medical Specialty Corps.
Current Research Interests
- Telehealth and virtual platforms that offer access to geographically disadvantaged populations.
- Mentorship aimed at marginalized populations and first-generation students.
- Servant Leadership, Transformational leadership, and Coaching leadership Styles
- Mixed Methodologies and Triangulation approaches.