Dalmina Arias, OTD, OTR/L
Clinical Assistant Professor
Coordinator of Student Outreach and Enrollment
Occupational Therapy
Pronouns: she/her/ella
Contact
Building & Room:
341 AHSB
Address:
1919 W. Taylor St.
Office Phone:
Email:
About
Dalmina Arias, OTD, OTR/L, is a clinical assistant professor and Coordinator of Student Outreach and Enrollment in the Department of Occupational Therapy. Her clinical experience as an occupational therapist spans across the inpatient, outpatient, and home settings. Dr. Arias clinically serves as an inpatient occupational therapy practitioner at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital.
Dr. Arias teaches several core courses in UIC’s Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (E-OTD) program, including Introductory OT Knowledge and Skills, Integrating Conceptual Practice Models with the OT Process, and Occupational Performance and Participation. She also serves as the lead instructor for Policy, Payment, Advocacy, and Access to OT.
Dr. Arias' research interests include addressing health disparities among minoritized individuals from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Dr. Arias is involved in creating evidence-informed health promotion interventions that address health disparities due to access, quality of care, and cultural barriers for individuals with chronic health conditions.
Dr. Arias was selected as a Resource Centers for Minority Aging (RCMAR) Scholar, where her research investigates culturally responsive, community-engaged approaches to enhance chronic disease management and promote healthy aging among Spanish-speaking older adults.
Dr. Arias was also named an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) RISE Diverse Leaders Program (DLP) Scholar, reflecting her national recognition as a leader in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession. As a DLP Scholar, Dr. Arias is developing evidence-informed pathway programs that expand access and support for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds pursuing careers in occupational therapy.
Selected Grants
National Institute on Aging, Center for Health Equity in Cognitive Aging - Joining Population Science and Health Promotion, Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) Scholar and Principal Investigator
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Health Equity Pilot Project, Me4Me, Clinical Researcher
Selected Publications
da Cruz, D. C., Perryman-Fox, M., Williams, E., Fisher, G., Mirza, M., Arias, D., Yazdani, F. (2026). New Perspectives of Occupational Therapy Practice: The Paradigm Shift in Conceptual Foundations. In J. Wolske & G. Fisher (Eds.), Kielhofner’s Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice (5th Edition). F.A. Davis.
Mirza, M, Fischer, H & Arias, D. (2026). An occupation-focused intervention to promote functioning among adults aging with diabetes and heart disease. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research.
Lin, T., Fisher, G., Arias, D., Pritchard, K. & Barry, M. (2023). Applying MOHO in inpatient settings: Working with adults with acute medical conditions of functional limitations. In R. R. Taylor, P. Bowyer & G. Fisher (Eds.), Kielhofner’s Model of Human Occupation (6th Edition). Wolters Kluwer.
Suarez-Balcazar, Y., Arias, D., & Muñoz, J. P. (2023). Promoting justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through caring communities: Why it matters to occupational therapy. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(6), 7706347020.
Suarez-Balcazar, Y., Balcazar, F., Arias, D., Garcia Torres, M. & Garcia, C. (2022). Goal-setting with Latinx families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Behavior and Social Issues, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-022-00094-2.
Early, A., Suarez-Balcazar, Y., & Arias, D. (2021). Latinx parent’s perceptions of neighborhood walking safety for their youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study. Family & Community Health. DOI:10.1097/FCH.0000000000000274
Suarez-Balcazar, Y., Early, A., Miranda, D., Arias, D., Garcia, C. & Lopez, G. (2021). Immigrant families with youth with disabilities participating in civic engagement to promote social justice. Social Justice Research Collaborative. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5210/sjrc.v0i0.11751
Suarez-Balcazar, Y., Early, A., Garcia, C., Balcazar, D., Arias, D. & Morales, M. (2020). Walkability safety and walkability participation: A health concern. The Journal of Health Education and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198120903256
Suarez-Balcazar, Y., Early, A., Maldonado, A., Garcia, C., Arias, D., Zeidman, A., Agudelo-Orozco, A. (2018). Community-based participatory research to promote healthy lifestyles among Latino immigrant families with youth with disabilities. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 25, 1-11. 10.1080/11038128.2018.1502348.
Suarez-Balcazar, Y., Agudelo, A., Garcia, C., Arias, D., Smith, K., & Bonner, B. (2016). Benefits of a culturally-tailored healthy lifestyles intervention for Latino youth with disabilities and their families. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(5). 10.5014/ajot.2016.021949.
Publication Aggregators
Professional Leadership
Co-Founder, The Divers(OT)y Chicago Collective
Committee Member, American Occupational Therapy Foundation Standing for Research Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
Education Committee Member, Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
Diverse Leader Program Scholar, American Occupational Therapy Association
Scholar, Resource Center for Minority Aging Research
Advisory Board Member, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab OT Neurological Fellowship
Member, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Academic Committee in the UIC OT Department
Program Advisor, Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions at UIC
Advisor, UIC Pre-Occupational Therapy Student Association
Advisor, UIC Chapter of Diverse-OT
Licensures and Certifications
Illinois Occupational Therapist Licensure
National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy
Mental Health First Aid Training
BLS, CPR, First Aid, AED Certification
Professional Memberships
Gerontological Society for America
American Occupational Therapy Association
Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
Illinois Occupational Therapy Association
Terapia Ocupacional Para Diversidad, Oportunidad y Solidaridad
Selected Presentations
- Arias, D., Stoffel, A., Smith, C., Van Denend, T. (2026). Expanding access & advancing equity: Inclusive outreach & mentorship practices in OT. Short Course for the AOTA Annual Conference; April 24; Anaheim, CA.
- Manlapaz, J & Arias, D. (2026). Fostering an inclusive learning environment for justice-involved adults with learning disabilities. Poster presentation for the AOTA Annual Conference; April 24; Anaheim, CA.
- Smith, C., Van Denend, T., Stoffel, A. & Arias, D. (2026). The art of mentoring the next generation: from evaluating potential OTP applicants to streamlining letters of recommendation with AI. Poster presentation for the AOTA Annual Conference; April 23; Anaheim, CA.
- Rocha, L. & Arias, D. (2026). Enhancing health equity to support food access & nutritional health for Latinx communities. Poster presentation for the AOTA Annual Conference; April 23; Anaheim, CA.
- Suarez-Balcazar, Y., Arias, D., Emory, J., Guevarra, L. & Montoya, A. (2026). Creating caring communities: Culturally tailored caregiving strategies for families of children and adults with IDD – The role of promotoras and community-based organizations. UIC Scholarship of Practice Day at the University of Illinois Chicago; 2026; In-Person.
- Arias, D., Guiuliano, K., Rocha, L. M., Macias-Martinez, J., Amaro, A., Irla, G. (2026). Panel discussion: Applying cultural humility and cultural relevance in OT clinical practice: Exemplars from the field. Panel for the UIC Scholarship of Practice Series – COTAD Sponsored Event at the University of Illinois Chicago; 2026; February 23; Virtual.
- Arias, D., & Mirza, M. (2025). Culturally adapting the IPROACTIF intervention for Spanish-speaking Latinx adults with hypertension and diabetes. Symposium speaker. Oral presentation for the Gerontological Society for America; November 14; Boston, MA.
- Suarez-Balcazar, Y. & Arias, D. (2025). Promoting culturally and linguistically relevant services to meet the needs of diverse populations. Invited speaker. Oral presentation for the Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois; August 4; Virtual.
- Mirza, M. Fischer, H. & Arias, D. (2025). Preliminary efficacy of an OT intervention to prevent functional decline. Research panel. Oral presentation for the AOTA Annual Conference; April 4; Philadelphia, PA.
- Arias, D. (2025). Culturally adapting the IPROACTIF intervention for Spanish-speaking Latinx older adults with hypertension and diabetes. Short oral presentation for the RCMAR Annual Meeting; April 23; Arlington, VA.