Dr Jacobs is an occupational therapist with over four decades of experience. She serves as Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation, Program Director of the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy, and Clinical Professor at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
She holds an EdD from University of Massachusetts, master’s in occupational therapy from Boston University, and bachelor’s from Washington University. Her expertise spans ergonomics, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. Her passion for enhancing occupational performance has led to research, presentations and publications including co-authoring 21 children’s books. She advanced backpack safety through AOTA’s National Backpack Awareness Day and created Occupational Therapy Global Day of Service.
A Fellow of AOTA, HFES, and IEA, she has served as AOTA president and vice president. Notable awards include a 2005 Fulbright Scholarship, 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award, 2020 AOTA Outstanding Mentor Award, and 2024 AOTA/AOTF Presidents’ Commendation in Honor of Wilma L. West. She is the founding editor-in-chief of WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation.