Vikas Sharma, OTD, OTR/L

Vikas Sharma, OTD, OTR/L is the Program Director for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. He has been an occupational therapist for more than 28 years. 

After moving to the U.S. in 1996, Sharma primarily worked as an occupational therapist and as a director of rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities. The majority of his work experience is from skilled nursing facilities, adult day care centers, and an integrated school setting.  

In 2013, he enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Chatham University, receiving his doctorate in occupational therapy. His motive was to pursue teaching to give back to the profession. He soon moved into academia, becoming a full-time professor at Irvine’s Stanbridge University in December 2015. There, he taught many clinical conditions, ethics, and leadership courses.

In 2019, he was named Interim Program Director for Stanbridge’s occupational therapy program, and became the full-time Program Director in 2021.

His areas of interest include mental health and geriatrics. He enjoys reading books, traveling, and spending quality time with his wife and two children.