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Department of Occupational Therapy College of Health Professions

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Department of Occupational Therapy
ESWOT 1.300 (Edinburg Campus)
Email: occtherapy@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-665-2475
Phone Alt: 956-665-5907
Fax: 956-665-2476
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Faculty Bios

Shirley A. Wells, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA

Chair and Professor
Phone: 956-665-2475
Email: shirley.wells@utrgv.edu
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Shirley A. Wells, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA

Dr. Wells has been a practicing occupational therapist for 45 years and an educator for 25 years. She was awarded the Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy (FAOTA) and the Roster of Merit from the Texas Occupational Therapy Association. She has served the American Occupational Therapy Association as the Chair of Ethics Commission, Board of Directors member, Bylaws, Policies & Procedures member, and the Multicultural Affairs program manager. She has authored and co-authored a series of books on “Culture and Occupation,” widely used in OT educational programs, national and international. She has written, published, and presented local, national, and worldwide on ethics, culture, and diversity. The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. named Dr. Shirley A. Wells as one of the 100 Influential People in Occupational Therapy 100 Years History (2016). She was named the Texas Occupational Therapy Association Academic Educator of the Year in 2019.

Dr. Wells has served her community as a member of the City of Brownsville Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and a co-founder and officer of the Brownville Animal Defense rescue organization. She is a co-founder and officer of the OT Leaders and Legacies Society.

Dr. Wells has a Doctor of Public Health from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, School of Public Health in Community Health & Biostatistics, Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis in Maternal & Child Health, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston in Occupational Therapy, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas, Austin in Latin. Her research interests are health literacy, living on dialysis, cultural diversity, and ethics.

Chair and Professor
Email: shirley.wells@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.304
Phone: 956-665-2475

John Luna, OTD, OTR

Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator
Phone: (956) 655-7847
Email: john.luna@utrgv.edu
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John Luna, OTD, OTR

Dr. John Luna received his bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Texas-Pan American and a post-professional clinical doctorate (OTD) from Rocky Mountain University. Since entering the profession in 2002, his clinical experiences have focused on neurodevelopment treatment, sensory integration, aquatic therapy, and hippotherapy. John has also overseen the clinical operations of several local comprehensive outpatient rehab facilities in key clinical leadership positions. John serves the profession as a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Occupational Therapy Association since January of 2018 and was elected by members to serve as president from 2024-2026. As an emerging researcher, John has several peer-reviewed publications and a textbook in press focused on adolescents and young adults with disabilities as they transition from high school to post-secondary activities. His students and peers have recognized John as the recipient of numerous awards including the Texas Occupational Therapist of the Year.
Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator
Email: john.luna@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.306
Phone: (956) 655-7847

Lou Rutigliano

Assistant Professor, Capstone Coordinator
Phone: (956) 665-2475
Email: lou.rutigliano@utrgv.edu
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Lou Rutigliano

Dr. Lou Rutigliano has been a licensed OT since 2018, and has worked in inpatient and acute adult rehabilitation in Florida and Texas since receiving his Masters in OT from Barry University (Miami Springs, FL) in 2018. Before becoming an OT Dr. Rutigliano received his PhD from UT-Austin in Journalism in 2008 after working as a reporter in North Carolina, California, and

Texas, then teaching and researching journalism as a professor in Chicago and San Antonio. Born and raised in New York, Dr. Rutigliano moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 2021 and had been serving the community through his skills as a practitioner, researcher, and educator ever since.

Assistant Professor, Capstone Coordinator
Email: lou.rutigliano@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.302
Phone: (956) 665-2475

Dahlia Castillo

Assistant Professor
Phone: (956) 665-2475
Email: dahlia.castillo@utrgv.edu
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Dahlia Castillo

Dr. Castillo earned a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate from Mount Mary University in 2016, a MS in Health Education in 2002 from The University of Texas at El Paso, and a BS from Texas Tech University in 1991. She has practiced OT for 33 years. She has served in volunteer positions on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Multicultural Diversity and Inclusion leadership as the chair of Terapistas Ocupacionales para Diversidad, Oportunidad, y Soladaridad (TODOS); and the Texas Occupational Therapy Association. Research interests include simulated learning, and best practices in occupational therapy education.
Assistant Professor
Email: dahlia.castillo@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.305
Phone: (956) 665-2475

Wen-Pin Chang

Assistant Professor
Phone: (956) 665-2475
Email: wenpin.chang@utrgv.edu
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Wen-Pin Chang

Dr. Wen-Pin Chang is a dedicated professional with a diverse academic background and extensive clinical experience in occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA), and autism intervention. Dr. Chang earned his Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies with a concentration in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in 2008. He later obtained an M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism from Ball State University in 2020. Dr. Chang has held academic positions at various institutions, including the University of Indianapolis, Creighton University, and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Dr. Chang has an extensive clinical background, particularly in pediatric occupational therapy and behavior analysis. Dr. Chang's commitment to continuing education is evident through his various certifications, including Youth Mental Health First Aid USA, Certification in the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers (STAT™), and LSVT BIG® Occupational Therapist Certification. Dr. Chang also completed specialized training programs, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–Second Edition (ADOS-2)® and PEERS® Certified Providers for Adolescents Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training
Assistant Professor
Email: wenpin.chang@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.300
Phone: (956) 665-2475

Eva Anger

Clinical Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Phone: (956) 655-2680
Email: evamaria.anger@utrgv.edu
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Eva Anger

Dr. Eva Anger has been a practicing Occupational Therapist since 1997 when she earned her Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. She attained her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy in August of 2018 – also from the University of Southern California. Dr. Anger also holds a Master of Arts in Education from Austin College. Although Dr. Anger has practiced in many areas of adult physical dysfunction, her primary focus and love, is adult inpatient rehabilitation. She has a particular interest in working with clients who have experienced a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Her research interests are fieldwork education and student wellness
Clinical Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Email: evamaria.anger@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.308
Phone: (956) 655-2680

Roel Garcia, OTD, OTR

Clinical Assistant Professor SOTA Faculty Advisor
Phone: (956) 655-2952
Email: roel.garcia03@utrgv.edu
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Roel Garcia, OTD, OTR

Dr. Roel Garcia has been a practicing occupational therapist since 2009, after obtaining a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, TX. He is currently in his sixth year as a full-time clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. In August of 2015, he obtained his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Dr. Garcia has practiced in several adult and pediatric settings, in particular inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. He is also certified in home modifications and as an assistive technology professional, serving as a consultant for in-home assessments for home modifications and durable medical equipment. His special interest is assistive technology and working with clients who have experienced stroke and musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, his research interest has been exploring the effectiveness of mixed reality simulations as an instructional tool for higher education.

Clinical Assistant Professor SOTA Faculty Advisor
Email: roel.garcia03@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.308
Phone: (956) 655-2952

Thelma Ochoa, OTD, OTR

Clinical Associate Professor
Phone: (956) 655-3081
Email: thelma.ochoa@utrgv.edu
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Thelma Ochoa, OTD, OTR

Dr. Thelma Ochoa has been a practicing Occupational Therapy practitioner since 1999, first as a COTA then OTR (2007); her clinical experience focused on adult neurodevelopmental treatment and hand therapy.   In 2007, she obtained her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and in 2018, a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She has emerged and an standout faculty in her early years as a full-time faculty. Dr. Ochoa has practiced in both adult and pediatric settings, in particular outpatient rehabilitation.  She currently continues to practice in pediatric home health and outpatient hand therapy.  Her specific interest is working with clients who have experienced a neurological disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and hand injuries.  Her future interests include exploring qualitative research on individuals who have suffered a stroke and hand injuries.

Clinical Associate Professor
Email: thelma.ochoa@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.308
Phone: (956) 655-3081

Jack Ruelas, MS, OTR

Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Associate Professor Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Phone: (956) 655-2664
Email: jack.ruelas@utrgv.edu
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Jack Ruelas, MS, OTR

Mr. Ruelas received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas-Pan American. He is currently studying to complete his EdD. He has clinical experience in a variety of settings, including private practice, home health, early childhood intervention, and long-term acute care. Mr. Ruelas brings experience and training in sensory processing, behavior modification, treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders, and neurodevelopmental treatment to provide a comprehensive learning program.

 

Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Associate Professor Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Email: jack.ruelas@utrgv.edu
ESWOT 1.309
Phone: (956) 655-2664

Angela E. Scoggin

Professor Emeritus
Phone: (956) 665-2475
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Angela E. Scoggin

Dr. Scoggin earned her bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida, and MA and Ph.D. degrees in applied anthropology from the University of South Florida. She has over 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist, with a clinical emphasis on working with children and their families in early intervention and public-school programs. Dr. Scoggin has combined her expertise in occupational therapy and anthropology through research studies related to child development and family/caregiver interactions conducted in China, Peru, and the southern United States. Previously, she taught in the Occupational Therapy Programs at Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Florida. She has been at The University of Texas-Pan American since 1998. Dr. Scoggin is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, serves on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, and has served as a member of the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education Roster of Accreditation Evaluators.

Professor Emeritus

Phone: (956) 665-2475
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