Randi Johnson Hanson brings clinical expertise to Rocky Mountain College

Influential Women profiled Randi Johnson Hanson, a clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, highlighting her move from 27 years in practice to higher education. Her work blends teaching, mentorship, and community-based care, and her doctoral research has earned an American Occupational Therapy Foundation award ahead of an upcoming AOTA conference presentation. Why it matters: - Randi Johnson Hanson’s move from long-time clinician to educator shows how occupational therapy training can stay connected to real-world care. - Her work matters for students preparing to enter a field that depends on patient-centered rehabilitation, adaptive solutions, and practical clinical judgment. - Her continued pro bono and community-based practice helps keep her teaching aligned with current patient needs. What happened: - Influential Women profiled Randi Johnson Hanson, OTD, PP-OTD, OTR/L, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. - Hanson joined Rocky Mountain College in July 2025 after 27 years as a practicing occupational therapist. - Hanson completed a Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before moving into higher education. - Hanson continues to work in pro bono clinics and community-based programs. - Hanson received the Mary J. Bridle First Research Award from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation for her doctoral capstone research. - Hanson will present that research at the upcoming American Occupational Therapy Association Conference. The details: - Hanson’s practice background includes geriatric rehabilitation, adult mental health, assistive technology, and wheelchair seating and positioning. - Hanson focuses on helping people maintain independence and improve quality of life through personalized interventions and adaptive equipment solutions. - Hanson emphasizes evidence-informed care, function, dignity, and patient-centered outcomes. - Hanson said her teaching is strengthened by ongoing clinical engagement, which keeps her connected to current practice. - Hanson’s career was shaped by parents who supported her ambitions and never limited her because she was a girl. - Hanson’s parents were both teachers, and she credits education as a central influence in her development. - Hanson remains connected to an 8th grade English teacher who she describes as an enduring mentor. - Hanson said mentors and educators reinforced focus, persistence, and lifelong learning throughout her career. Between the lines: - Hanson’s profile reflects a broader push in health professions to link academic instruction with hands-on care. - Her emphasis on mentorship suggests occupational therapy leadership is increasingly tied to developing the next generation, not just delivering services. - Hanson’s comments about women being labeled “opinionated” or “bossy” point to the continued importance of confidence and self-advocacy in professional settings. - Her focus on holistic, interdisciplinary care shows where occupational therapy may gain more visibility as healthcare systems prioritize coordinated treatment. What’s next: - Hanson is expected to present her award-winning doctoral capstone research at the AOTA Conference. - She will continue teaching at Rocky Mountain College while maintaining clinical exposure through community-based work. - Hanson plans to keep mentoring students and emerging professionals in occupational therapy. The bottom line: - Hanson’s profile centers on a career built around care, teaching, and mentorship, with a clear goal of preparing future occupational therapists to deliver practical, patient-centered support.