Cassandra Winters

Meet Cassandra

Why did you choose DHD at UIC?
I was attracted to the interdisciplinary nature of the DHD program. After practicing as an occupational therapy clinician for over 10 years in hospitals, schools and home care environments, I was ready to expand my perspective and dive into what disability means through a broader cultural, political, and social justice lens.

What do you want to do with a DHD degree?
I am interested in policy change, research and academia. I am also interested in exploring how my training in disability studies will influence my clinical practice and approach as an occupational therapist.

Research Interests
Long-term cancer survivorship, mothers with disabilities, ethical issues in disability scholarship.

Selected Presentations
Winters, C., Marshall H., Magasi, S. (2022, June, 16-18). Exploring the needs of long-term cancer survivors through the COPM. Poster session presented at The Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars. Madison, WI. Marshall H., Winters, C., Magasi, S. (2022, April 29). Exploring the needs of long-term cancer survivors through the COPM. Poster session presented at the Annual Dr. Gary Kruh Cancer Research Symposium. University of Illinois. Chicago, Illinois.

Selected Publications
Magasi, S., Marshall, H. K., Winters, C., & Victorson, D. (2022). Cancer Survivors’ Disability Experiences and Identities: A Qualitative Exploration to Advance Cancer Equity. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(5), 3112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053112

Awards and Honors
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship (2022-2023)

Education
Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Psychology (2005); Master of Occupational Therapy (2011) The Ohio State University