Pronouns:

She/her/hers

Educational History:

OTD, Shenandoah University; M.S., Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University; B.S., Psychology, Shenandoah University; Certificate in Spanish Interpreting, Shenandoah University

Fields of Expertise:

• Pediatrics (Settings: Inpatient Rehabilitation, Acute Care, Outpatient, Community-based; Conditions: Acquired Brain Disorders, Spinal Cord Disorders, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, complex medical needs including Tracheostomies/Ventilators, Burns, Functional Neurologic Disorder; Family-Centered Care)
• Adult Neurological Rehabilitation
• Modalities including: Kinesiotaping, therapeutic taping, FES (xCite), aquatics, therapeutic yoga
• Qualitative Research (Phenomenology and lived experience)

Professional Highlights:

Presentations

• “Cultivating Mentorship and Mastery: A Programmatic OTD Framework for Comprehensive Practical Exams”, Poster Presentation, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire Conference 2027, Boston, MA- Accepted
  
• “Exploring Current School Professionals’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Needs Related to Implementing Financial Literacy Curriculums: A Qualitative Study”, Poster Presentation (Capstone Mentor), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Inspire Conference 2027, Boston, MA- Accepted
  
• “Examining the Lived Experience of Breastfeeding First-Time Mothers as it Relates to Sensory Processing”; Poster Presentation, Maryland OT Association (MOTA) Conference 2026
  
• “Backward by Design: Flipping the Script on Qualitative Research Education”; Poster Presentation, AOTA Inspire National Conference 2026
  
• “Sensory Processing and Parenthood”, Poster Presentation, VOTA Annual Conference 2025
  
• “Collaborative Community Partnerships: Experiential Learning for Occupational Therapy Students with the Houseless Population”; Poster Presentation, AOTA Inspire National Conference 2025
  
• “Predictive Factors of State Licensure Board Disciplinary Actions in Occupational Therapy”; Primary Speaker, MOTA Conference 2024
  
• “Team Teaching: The Good, the Bad and the Collab”; Poster Presentation, Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy 2024
  
• “Enhancing Inpatient Rehabilitation for Pediatric Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) Using Child-Centered Education and Interventions”; Primary Speaker, AOTA Inspire National Conference 2023

Research:

• Martin, D., Fuller, H., Collins, M., Courtright, V., Joshi, M., Hubbard, K., Kretzer, F., Lantzy, C., Ragsdale, S., Servera, A., & Shanholtz, C. (2024). Predictive Factors of State Licensure Board Disciplinary Actions in Occupational Therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78(6), 7806205070. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050702
  
• Servera, A., & Scott, E. (In progress). Maternal health considerations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and inpatient pediatrics. In C. Reaume (Ed.), Maternal health: A foundational guide for occupational therapy.
  
• Becerra-Culqui, T. & Servera, A. (In progress). Sensory considerations of motherhood. In C. Reaume (Ed.), Maternal health: A foundational guide for occupational therapy.
  
• Exploring the Sensory Experiences of Mothers transitioning to Multiple Children (Faculty Mentor, 2026-2027; Research in progress)
  
• Examining the Lived Experience of Breastfeeding First-Time Mothers as it Relates to Sensory Processing (faculty mentor, 2025-2026) (Peer-reviewed presentation)
  
• Sensory Processing and Parenthood (faculty mentor, 2024-2025) (Peer-reviewed presentation)
  
• Adaptive Technology and Sexual Intimacy (faculty mentor, 2023-2024)
  
• The Lived Experience of Occupational Therapists Practicing In The COVID-19 Global Pandemic; Post-Professional OTD Capstone (2021)

Personal Highlights:

Dr. Servera’s hobbies include yoga, reading, competitive board games, and hiking. She enjoys spending time with her family, travel (Central and South America among her favorites), and being outdoors in nature.

Quote:

Occupational therapy is where science, creativity and compassion collide.”

– Jessica Kensky, 2016 AOTA Welcome Ceremony Keynote Speech