Gary Grimaldi, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP

Dr. Grimaldi teaches courses in activity analysis, case based learning, and assistive technology. He serves as a research and academic mentor for occupational therapy master’s students. In addition, he serves on the University Senate representing the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. 

Journal Articles

Ciani G., Grimaldi G., Sarnataro I. (2023) The Decision-Making Process for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Ageing Science Mental Health Studies., 7(1): 1-6. ISSN: 2002-7850.

Ciani, G.J.; Grimaldi, G.; Macalintal, M.; Orner, D. (2023). The Impact of Interprofessional Education on Health Profession Students’ Professional Identity. Education Science., 13, 494. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13050494

Book Publication

Lipovac, S., Lipovac, M., & Grimaldi, G. (2012). Pocket Guide to Basic Rehabilitation. Linus.

Grimaldi, G., & Ciani, G.(2024, May 1-3). Lived Experiences of parents with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A phenomenological study. [Poster Presentation]. Canadian Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Halifax, Canada.

Grimaldi, G., & Ciani, G. (2023, December 4-5). Lived experiences of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS) with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes. [Virtual Conference Session]. International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, Basel, Switzerland.

Grimaldi, G., & Ciani, G. (2023, October 27-29). Developing Health Profession Students’ Understanding of Occupational Therapy Through an Interprofessional Education Event. [Poster presentation]. New York State Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Albany, NY.

Ciani, G., Grimaldi, G., Sarnataro, I. (2023, April 20-23). Lived experiences of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS) with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes. [Poster presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO.

Ciani, G., Grimaldi, G., Pincus, C. (2023, April 20-23). Contextual factors and barriers to driving in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Research in progress [Poster presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO.  

Grimaldi, G. (2009, April 23-26). One graduate program’s endeavors: Planting seeds for pursuit of inquiry. [Poster presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association, Annual Conference, Houston, TX.

Grimaldi, G. (2005, October). Assistive technology: Environmental control units [Conference session]. New York State Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Uniondale, NY.

Grimaldi, G. (2005, October). Success with assistive technology – sharing & problem solving [Conference session]. Cerebral Palsy Association of NYS Annual Conference, Albany, NY.

Grimaldi, G. (2004, October). Nuts and bolts of assistive technology: Controlling the environment [Conference session]. Cerebral Palsy Association of NYS Annual Conference, Albany, NY.

Grimaldi, G. & Trossman, P. (1997, April). Assistive technology lab: Presented low-cost environmental control units [Conference session]. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

Grimaldi, G. & Moskowitz, T. (1995). Augmentative communication for neurologically impaired  adults: A transdisciplinary approach [Poster presentation]. NYS American Speech & Hearing Association Annual Conference, New York, NY.

Ciani, G., Grimaldi, G. (2022, October 19). Current research on the experiences of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [Poster presentation]. Faculty Research Day. Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.

Grimaldi, G. (2022). Physician assistant interprofessional educational panel member at Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.

Grimaldi, G. (1995). Beyond the traditional role of occupational therapy in the management of patients with ALS, through the use of assistive technology [Symposium presentation]. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association, New York, N.Y.

Grimaldi, G. (1994). A single-subject study of a ventilator dependent adolescent utilizing a generic and a custom-designed mouthstick to access a computer [Research seminar]. New York University, New York, NY.

Grimaldi, G. (1992-1996). The profession of OT as a career choice to minority college freshmen. [Presentation]. Borough of Manhattan Community College (City University of New York), New York, N.Y

Grimaldi, G. (2008). Rehabilitation: What you can do? [Training presentation]. New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), New York, NY.

Gary Grimaldi is an Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department. He received his bachelor’s (1992) and master’s degree (1995) in occupational therapy at New York University. His master’s degree was supported through a federal grant to study occupational therapy and assistive technology. He received his Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy at Nova Southeastern University in 2011.

Dr. Grimaldi has extensive clinical experience working with adults with neurological disabilities in sub-acute inpatient and long-term care settings. As a clinician with over 30 years of experience in rehabilitation medicine, he gained expertise in the intervention and implementation of stroke and other motor neuron conditions.  Additionally, he has expertise in the use of assistive technology by persons with disabilities and has lectured on topics such as seating and positioning, environmental controls, and adaptive computer technology. He has presented at local and national conferences on topics such as environmental accessibility, wheelchair mobility, and assistive technology. Dr Grimaldi holds a certification as an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), since 1999.  Besides his role as a clinical practitioner, he served as the Director of Rehabilitation for over 20 years at Cerebral Palsy Association of NYS. 

In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Grimaldi served as an adjunct professor at New York University, Dominican University, Mercy University, York College, and LaGuardia Community College. In 2015, Dr. Grimaldi was part of the inaugural occupational therapy advisory board to formulate Hofstra University’s occupational therapy program. He served for 2 years in this capacity, and later taught as both an adjunct and full-time professor.

In terms of scholarship, Dr Grimaldi has written and co-authored research studies, a textbook, and has presented at local, national, and international conferences.  His research agenda emphasis factors that influence participation in occupations, through qualitative methods. Dr. Grimaldi’s has encapsulated the lived experiences of individuals or groups in an effort to understand the impact of disability on occupation.  He is currently studying “Factors affecting driving among the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) population” & “The experiences of parents with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”.

In 2023, Dr. Grimaldi was recognized by the New York State Occupational Therapy for his Service to the Profession of Occupational Therapy.  In 2017, Dr. Grimaldi received the 20 Year Service Award for his Distinguished Service to the Occupational Therapy Program at Dominican University.  Additionally, Dr. Grimaldi received two special Recognition awards in 2006 and 2005 for his efforts in providing Relief Efforts for Hurricane Katrina by the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS, Board of Directors respectively.

Dr. Grimaldi teaches courses in activity analysis, case based learning, and assistive technology. He serves as a research and academic mentor for occupational therapy master’s students. In addition, he serves on the University Senate representing the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. 

• 2023, Certificate of Recognition: Service to the Profession of Occupational Therapy
  • New York State Occupational Therapy Association
• 2017, For Distinguished Service to the Occupational Therapy Program
  • Dominican University, 20 Year Service Award, Orangeburg, NY.
• 2006, In Recognition of Service to Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts 
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
• 2005, Special Recognition Award: Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
  • Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS, Board of Directors