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Kate Barrett

Kate Barrett

Assistant professor of occupational science and occupational therapy

Courses taught: Life Occupations, Policy and Politics, Program Development and Evaluation, Senior Seminar, Master's Project

At age five, what you thought you'd become: “A priest! I practiced handing out communion to my brother with raisins from our breakfast cereal...over and over again.”

First job: “I was a camp counselor.  I took campers up into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  It was extremely rewarding. I now sit on the board of that camp. It meant and continues to mean a lot to me.”

Leading Katies abroad:  “In March of 2007, I traveled with five occupational therapy students to Peru to participate in Eleanore's Project, an intensive and justice-oriented wheelchair seating program founded by a St. Kate's Occupational Therapy alumna, Tamara Kittelson-Aldred. We have since formalized our partnership and will continue to offer the opportunity to five students in their last year of study.” 

“I have also developed a program in Ecuador focused on understanding the cultural, political, and economical influences on both the experience of health as well as health care delivery.”

Traveling abroad teaches me . . . “to put my life in perspective. The majority of personal stress I experience simply is not important. When I see a family caring for an adult family member with severe cerebral palsy without the support and technology to which we in the United States feel entitled, I am humbled.”

Why are you a fit for St. Kate's and vice versa? “I feel that St. Kate's brings out my strengths and builds upon them. I feel supported to grow as a person and professional.  St. Kate's has a strong commitment to student learning and positively impacting the community. That fits with what I believe and want to do.”

Education:  Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy '95 and Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy ‘00 from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.