Renee Rains

Professional Background

Renée Rains, OTD, OTR/L, is the doctoral capstone coordinator as well as a clinical assistant professor for the entry-level doctoral program in occupational therapy. She joined the faculty at KU Medical Center in July 2023 and teaches the capstone courses and capstone-related content throughout the curriculum. Topics include professionalism, needs assessments, program evaluation, scholarly writing, literature reviews and scholarly dissemination which support the capstone planning, implementation and dissemination processes.

Prior to joining the faculty at the KU Department of Occupational Therapy Education, Rains was a pediatric clinician working in private practice, home health and school-based therapy settings. She continues to be passionate about working with children, families and caregivers across multiple settings to support meaningful occupational engagement.

Rains is also engaged in transnational occupational therapy education. Her work with the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL) at the Université Épiscopale d’Haïti (UNEPH) drives her current research. She volunteers as faculty and faculty liaison at FSRL and sits on the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation board of directors.

Academic Background

Rains earned a post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas in 2023, a master's degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 1999, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Texas Woman’s University in 1997.