Dr. Kugel graduated with her master’s degree in 2006 and continues to enjoy an amazing journey as an occupational therapist and educator. Dr. Kugel has worked in a variety of settings including acute care, in-patient rehab, out-patient hand therapy, and out-patient pediatrics before settling into school-based practice where stayed for over 7 years. Dr. Kugel felt a calling to continue her education and went back to school for her clinical doctorate at Loma Linda University. While back in school she fell in love with research and teaching. After finishing her doctorate she started out as an adjunct faculty at Loma Linda University before moving into teaching full time in 2012. Currently Dr. Kugel is an Associate Professor and the Program Director of the Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). She is passionate about health and wellness for children, families, and communities and focusing research in these areas in order to provide stronger evidence for the role of occupational therapy. This has led her to be one of the few occupational therapists in the country who are certified in Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Kugel has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles on a variety of topics and serves as a reviewer for the Open Journal of Occupation Therapy. Beyond work she loves being with family, hiking, gardening, reading, and just being out in God’s creation.