Dr. Gail Bloom has many years experience as an educator, manager, clinician, and advocate. She has been a professor of health policy and health systems for several prominent universities including teaching at the George Washington University for the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership and for the School of Business, Healthcare MBA Program.
Dr. Bloom offers administrative and clinical occupational therapy consultation to mental health programs and elder care agencies. Gail provides community-based wellness programs, medical and mental health agencies, and schools with administrative consulting and direct services in behavioral dysfunction, sensory modulation, and suicide prevention. Areas of expertise include policy analysis, policy formation, public awareness tactics, problem solving and strategic planning, medical ethics, and clinical decision-making.
Research
Dr. Bloom is interested in the design and management of programs for populations in need of assistance or crisis intervention. She has worked in urban multicultural environments with awareness of needs throughout the lifespan. She recently coordinated development of a collaborative, functional classroom model for teens with autism and structured residential programs for youth with behavior problems. Her current effort is a project to increase sensitivity awareness of staff working at skilled nursing facilities when interacting with persons with dementia.
Dr. Bloom is a longstanding member of the editorial board of WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, a peer-reviewed journal.
She has authored textbook chapters on the specialty topic of medical ethics:
- Occupational Therapy Essentials for Clinical Competence, 3rd Edition, pending.
- Chapter 49, Ethics and Its Application To Occupational Therapy Practice.
- Occupational Therapy Essentials for Clinical Competence, 2nd Edition, 2014.
- Chapter 48, Ethics and Its Application To Occupational Therapy Practice.
- Guest Editor, Instructor Materials: PowerPoint presentation & Test Bank Questions, all 55 chapters for ACOTE Standards.
- Occupational Therapy Essentials for Clinical Competence, 2010.
- Chapter 40, Ethics and Its Application.
- Functions of a Manager in Occupational Therapy, revised 1999, 1994, 1989.
- Chapter 8, Ethics and Issues in Occupational Therapy.
Grants
City of Everett, Mayor's Office of Human Services
- Generated funding mechanisms for constituent services. Responded to proposals. Managed many hundreds of thousands of dollars of awards from both federal and state contract sources as well as private foundations.
Samaritans of the Merrimack Valley
- Maintained a 24-hour hotline and expanded services (a Spanish language hotline was launched). In addition, public outreach efforts were expanded to raise awareness in schools and reach senior citizens.
Teaching
Dr. Bloom has years of experience teaching graduate and undergraduate students in both traditional campus classrooms and the online environment.
- SMPP 6290 - HC1 Healthcare Policy Analysis I
- SMPP 6290 - HC2 Healthcare Policy Analysis II
- HSCI 6240 Issues & Trends in Health Systems
- HSCI 2103 Health Policy/Health Care Systems
Community Service
Dr. Bloom's unique practice background effectively brought occupational therapy to human services and community health systems. Her efforts united interdisciplinary groups into collaborative teams to facilitate application of theory to practice in complex environments. Throughout her career, there has been a focus on a priority of accommodating full participation in community living for individuals with disability, or at risk of disability.
Current Service
Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy
- Peer Mentor, 2016 - current
- State Conference Presentation Reviews: 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011
- Strategic Planning Committees: 2012, 2002
- Chairperson External Concerns, Reimbursement, Legislative/Government Relations, & Consumer Affairs: 1984-1987
- President’s Certificate of Appreciation: 1986
XP Grupo Luz de Esperanza, Inc. (XP Light of Hope Group)
- Advisory Board, 2013-present
- Leadership as a Community Health Advocate, 1st Annual Award, 2015