Dr. Danielle Acurio is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor for the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She previously served as the AFWC for the University of Arkansas’ Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program.
Dr. Acurio completed her Post Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2019. She earned her original Occupational Therapy degree from the LSU School of Allied Health Professions in 1994.
Dr. Acurio has experience in multiple areas of practice. She began her career in adult care, gaining comprehensive experience in rehabilitation and outpatient services. Her professional journey progressed into healthcare management, where she contributed at the corporate level as part of a hospital startup team focused on long-term acute care services. A personal experience involving her son’s diagnosis with cancer led Dr. Acurio to shift her professional focus to pediatrics. She spent several years working in early intervention before ultimately transitioning into academia.
Dr. Acurio is passionate about foster care, early intervention, and integrating spirituality into healthcare. As an occupational therapy practitioner, she is committed to supporting individuals in reclaiming their engagement in meaningful activities that bring purpose, identity, and fulfillment to their lives. Occupational therapy offers a unique lens through which daily tasks, habits, and personal interests are recognized as essential components of health and well-being. She values the opportunity to help individuals rediscover their passions and reestablish routines that reflect who they are, ultimately promoting a richer and more meaningful experience of living. She desires to bring her real-world experience into the classroom to enrich learning for the next generation of occupational therapy professionals.
Outside of her professional role, Dr. Acurio is a devoted mother of three boys and a proud grandmother to one granddaughter. She enjoys spending time outdoors, has a deep appreciation for animals, and expresses her creativity through art. As the former owner of a ceramic business, she specialized in creating personalized handprint keepsakes that captured meaningful moments in children’s lives. Dr. Acurio continues to share this passion by generously donating her time and materials to support children facing illness, helping them and their families create lasting, meaningful mementos during challenging times.