Dr. Sandra VanderKaay

Dr. Sandra VanderKaay is an assistant professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. Her current program of research is focused on trauma-informed pedagogy, and clinical reasoning and ethical decision-making in occupational therapy practice, including ethical decision making in school-based occupational therapy. Sandra’s post-doctoral fellowship at CanChild, under the supervisorship of Dr. Wenonah Campbell, focused on conducting realist research aimed at developing a middle-range theory of tiered rehabilitation services in education settings.

Sandra completed her PhD (2018) in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University under the supervision of Dr. Sandra Moll. Her thesis, titled Ethical Decision-Making in Occupational Therapy in Canada, involved three studies that looked at three distinct aspects of ethical decision-making to support occupational therapy practice. Sandra’s teaching foci include pediatric OT practice, clinical reasoning, and ethical decision-making. Sandra has been a registered occupational therapist since 1996. Her clinical background includes both school health support services and pediatric rehabilitation.