Occupational Therapy

Stedmon Hopkins

MOT Program Director | Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

(865) 444-3518

shopkins@tnwesleyan.edu

Bio

Dr. Stedmon D. Hopkins earned his Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) from Eastern Kentucky University, where his capstone examined how intra- and interprofessional collaboration influences the use of occupation-based practice in skilled nursing facilities. He also holds a Master’s in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor’s in Occupational Science from Eastern Kentucky University.

At Tennessee Wesleyan University, Dr. Hopkins has served as Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator before being appointed Program Director of the Master of Occupational Therapy program and receiving the 2025 Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship Award. His prior clinical experience includes work in skilled nursing and home health settings, where he emphasized evidence-based, client-centered care to support functional independence and quality of life.

Dr. Hopkins has presented nationally and regionally on topics related to cultural sensitivity, collaboration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in occupational therapy. He is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association, where he currently serves as Chair of the DEI Committee (2022–2023; 2025–present). He has held certifications as a Certified Geriatric Care Professional and Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist.

Courses

  • OCT 506

    Practice in OT I: Introduction & History

  • OCT 522

    Research & Leadership in OT Practice I : Science Driven OT Practice

  • OCT 614

    Practice in Occupational Therapy: Evaluation & Assessment

  • OCT 622

    Research & Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice II : Master’s Thesis Plan

  • OCT 701

    Modalities & Upper Extremity Lecture & Lab

  • OCT 722

    Research & Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice III: Masters Thesis Implementation

  • OCT 807

    Mental Health & Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: Traditional & Community Based Practice Lecture and Lab

  • OCT 822

    Research & Leadership in OT Practice IV: Masters Thesis Completion & Presentation

Publications

  • McGaughy, Z. & Hopkins, S. (2025). “Balancing Act: The Advantages and Consequences of Code-Switching in OT Among African Americans” AOTA Inspire Conference. Philadelphia, PA

  • Grant Awardee: Grant Title: Enhancing Occupational Therapy Students Competencies and Confidence as a Related Service Provider in Early Intervention and School Based Settings Program Title: Special Education-Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program Director: Dr. Stedmon Hopkins

  • Hopkins, S., Simpkins, L., & Howell, D. (2023). Occupation-based practice & the impact of interprofessional & intraprofessional collaboration in skilled nursing facilities. [Poster Session] AOTA Conference, Kansas City, MO.

  • Hopkins, S., Simpkins, L., & Howell, D. (2022). What influence does inter- and intraprofessional collaboration have on OBP in SNF’s. [Conference Session] TNOTA Conference, Nashville, TN.

  • Hopkins, S., Simpkins, L., & Howell, D. (2022). Impact of Collaboration on Occupation-Based Practice [Conference Session] KOTA Conference, Madisonville, KY.

  • Hopkins, S. (2021) Culturally sensitive practice to establish meaningful connections. [Conference Session] TNOTA Conference, Nashville, TN.