David Merlo- Member
David M. Merlo, MS, COTA/L, CPRP, ROH
Director, OTA Program Bryant & Stratton College Rochester
David Merlo is Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Bryant & Stratton College in Rochester. He has taught for over 20 years. Prior to that, he was program manager at Restoration Society, Inc. Having been trained through Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, David is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) in addition to being a COTA. He completed graduate studies in assistive and rehabilitation technology at the SUNY Buffalo, Center for Assistive Technology (CAT). He also completed graduate studies at Buffalo State College, focusing on adult education with emphasis on assistive technology and supporting students with disabilities. He has presented at regional and national conferences on topics including psychiatric rehabilitation, recovery, technology in rehabilitation, and the re-emergence of occupational therapy in mental health services. He serves in appointed and elected positions within American Occupational Therapy Association, New York State Occupational Therapy Association, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, and Consortium of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators. American Occupational Therapy Association awarded David with the Roster of Honor status and OTA Award of Excellence for his advocacy and education in mental health.
