Occupational Therapy’s Christopher Stavisky, Triple Threat

A clinical assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Stavisky has seamlessly moved among the three realms and now shares his unique perspective with future occupational therapists in his classes.

Though he began his studies in kinesiology and knew he wanted a career in medicine or health, an undergraduate professor mentioned OT to Stavisky, sparking his interest. He finished his kinesiology degree, completed a master’s degree in OT, and ultimately earned a PhD in education.

Before Stavisky's professional journey led him to Buffalo, he was a senior occupational therapist at the University of Rochester Medical Center. There, he balanced clinical work with part-time PhD studies, taking advantage of the tuition benefits the university system offered. During his 13-year tenure, he focused on brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, upper extremity prosthetics (including myoelectric devices), and cognitive rehabilitation, his personal favorite.

His research now spans various aspects of concussion rehabilitation, an interest deeply rooted in his clinical background in cognitive rehabilitation. Working with neuropsychologists and speech therapists in Rochester, he focused on helping patients improve their everyday functional abilities, often using assistive technology. His involvement in a sports concussion clinic further cemented his dedication to this field.

Today at UB, his grant-funded research is focused on aspects of concussion rehabilitation. One project finds him collaborating with Dr. John Leddy, medical director of the UB Concussion Management Clinic, examining an aerobic exercise protocol initially tested on athletes recovering from concussion and modifying it for military use.

Another project, co-led with fellow Rehabilitation Science faculty member Jake McPherson, PhD, explores an aerobic exercise protocol and its potential application for the worker’s compensation population. Stavisky’s role in these projects goes beyond the physiological aspects of rehabilitation; he delves into the psychosocial side, investigating the motivational climates created by rehab professionals.

Integrating his teaching with research, Stavisky enriches his medical conditions courses with insights from his brain injury rehab projects. He also applies his research on motivational climates to his teaching methods, mirroring the supportive environments he studies in clinical settings.

Teaching future OTs, however, is what really motivates Stavisky: "I’m really lucky to be able to go into work and teach students how to be professionals in our field— that’s what excites me the most. It’s the opportunity to give back to the profession for the career it has given me," he said.

Stavisky has a deep commitment to adaptive sports for kids, a passion that informed his dissertation. He has been a coach for over 15 years with Rochester Rookies, an adaptive track and field team. This community activity allows him to blend his OT skills with his love for sports, making a tangible difference in young athletes' lives.

With his broad clinical background, dedication to research and passion for teaching, Stavisky will likely continue to help inspire future occupational therapy professionals, one student at a time.