MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
April 3, 2024
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 206 of the District of Columbia Health
Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-
1202.06), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Dr. Gillian A. Rai
35th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
(Ward 2)
for reappointment as an occupational therapist licensed in the District member of the Board of
Occupational Therapy, for a term to end April 16, 2027.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
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4e::=:-
at the request of the Mayor
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6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To confirm the reappointment of Gillian A. Rai to the Board of Occupational Therapy.
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17 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Board of Occupational Therapy Gillian A. Rai Confirmation
19 Resolution of 2024".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
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22 Dr. Gillian A. Rai
23 35 th Street, NW
24 Washington, DC 20007
25 (Ward 2)
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27 as an occupational therapist licensed in the District member of the Board of Occupational
28 Therapy, established by section 206 of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision
29 Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code§ 3-1202.06), for a
30 term to end April 16, 2027.
31 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
32 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
33 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
 March, 2018
Dr. Gillian Rai, M.Ed., OTR/L
Owner, Founder SubLime Kidz, LLC
Website: https://www.lemontreeplaygroup.com/sublimekidz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gillian-a-rai-6901286/
Ambassador and Dreambuilder, SistersMentors http://www.sistermentors.org/
Contents
SUMMARY.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
A. EDUCATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
POST-GRADUATE CERTIFICATION COURSES .............................................................................................................................. 2
B. POSITIONS.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CLINICAL WORK EXPERIENCE................................................................................................... 3
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE................................................................................................ 4
TAUGHT COURSES .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, COURSE DESIGN....................................................................................................................... 7
C. RESEARCH .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
RESEARCH INTERESTS........................................................................................................................................................................... 8
DOCTORATE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (DOT) RESEARCH PROJECT....................................................................... 8
BACHELORS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY RESEARCH (BOT) RESEARCH TOPIC ..................................................... 8
OTHER COMPLETED RESEARCH........................................................................................................................................................ 8
COMPLETED MENTORED STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS ................................................................................................. 9
CONTRACTS, GRANTS AND SPONSORED RESEARCH............................................................................................................ 10
D. PUBLICATIONS........................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS................................................................................................................................................... 11
SELECTED NON-PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES ........................................................................................................................... 11
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS ............................................................................................................................... 12
E. PRESENTATIONS.................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
PEER REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS............................................................................................................................................... 13
INVITED PEER REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS ........................................................................................................................... 15
INVITED NON PEER REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS ................................................................................................................ 15
F. EDITORIAL RESPONSABILITIES ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
G. CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES ATTENDED................................................................................................................... 17
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS........................................................................................................................................................ 22
Gillian A. Rai 1
 March, 2018
LICENSES.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
H. SERVICE ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ................................................................................................... 23
COLLEGE SERVICE ................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
FUTURE COMMUNITY INTERESTS................................................................................................................................................. 26
I. OTHER SKILLS .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
J. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
SUMMARY
Passionate and innovative Educator and Occupational Therapist (OT) committed to working
with children and families in diverse and multicultural settings, developing programs that
mitigate the effects of poverty related stress on learning, promoting self-efficacy and bridging
the gaps in urban, rural and impoverished communities.
Demonstrated history of over 20 years of combined experience working in general and special
education, early childhood, k to 12th grade, public health, the higher education industry and
clinical OT practice in the United States, South Africa and Ghana. Entrepreneur, skilled in
nonprofit organizations, Clinical Research, Leadership, and Grant Writing. Strong education
professional with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (Pediatrics) from Temple University, and
a Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement curricular, treatment plans and programs. Vast
experience with national and state education legislation and policies, planning and facilitating
local, state and regional workshops and training activities, coupled with extensive experience
working with school systems, school administration and personnel. Expertise in the
development, delivery and management of online education, the integration of effective teaching
and learning practices in general and special education, including technology solutions to meet
the needs of all students. Strong ability to work as an interdisciplinary team member to deliver
technical assistance to educators and administrators in the area of general and special
education.
Proficient computer skills (PC and MAC). Excellent problem solving abilities. Excellent planning
and organizational skills. Effectively able to prioritize and multi-task. Possess excellent
communication and people skills. Excellent writing skills. Ability to work independently as well as
within interdisciplinary team environments. Possess a commitment to research, publication and
teaching.
I believe in the whole child, honoring the extensive range of attributes that the human brain and
mind has to offer. My mission is to extend compassion, cooperation, commitment and creativity,
and to enable individuals, families and communities that I work with, to leave with a feeling of
accomplishment and eagerness for the world around them.
Gillian A. Rai 2
 March, 2018
A. EDUCATION
2012 Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
(Specialization in Pediatrics)
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
2004 Master in Education
(Curriculum & Instruction/Early Childhood Special Education/Learning
Disabilities)
Virginia Tech VPU & SU, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
1994 B. Occupational Therapy, (Psych. Honors)
University of Durban Westville, (University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN), South
Africa
POST-GRADUATE CERTIFICATION COURSES
2017 The Best Start in Life: Early Childhood Development for Sustainable
Development. Co-hosted by the NYU Global TIES for Children Center, the
Harvard Center on the Developing Child, and UNICEF. An offering of
the SDG Academy, the education arm of the Sustainable Development Solutions
Network (the research and technical network advising the U.N. Secretary-
General on the development and implementation of the 2015-2030 global
Sustainable Development Goals).
2017 Course Design Institute, (CDI), George Washington University (GW), School of
Teaching and Learning (SoTL) May 22-26th.
2016 Online Course Design: Quality Matters. Independent Applying the QM Rubric
(APPQMR), GW, July 6 – July 20th
2014-2015 Research Series: Certificate in Management of sponsored projects; Recruitment
of study subjects; Research Design and Methods I, II. Virginia Tech Carillion
Research Institute (VTCRI), Roanoke, VA. November, 2014 –August 2015.
2010 SENSORY INTEGRATION TREATMENT APPLICATIONS, final course taken in
the SIPT series. Taken as part of Doctoral coursework at Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA. Dr Moya Kinnealey, August.
2010 SENSORY INTEGRATION AND PRAXIS TEST (SIPT) ADMINISTRATION. A
week long course taken as part of Doctoral coursework at Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA. Course was taken again due to time that elapsed since taken in
2003. Dr Moya Kinnealey, June 23.
2003 SENSORY INTEGRATION AND PRAXIS TEST (SIPT) ADMINSTRATION. A 4-
day course part of the Sensory Integration certification process. Sensory
Integration International (SII), Torrance, California. This certification allows a
practitioner to administer and interpret the SIPT. Washington, DC.
Gillian A. Rai 3
 March, 2018
2002 PRR – Protective Response Regimen, A Therapeutic Intervention for Sensory
Defensiveness, Certificate of Proficiency, Developmental Concepts, Bonnie
Hanschu, March 22.
1997 SENSORY INTEGRATION THEORY AND PRACTICE. A 4-day course part of
the Sensory Integration certification process. Sensory Integration International,
(SII) Torrance, California. Houston, Texas. Dr Steve Cool, Dr Theresa May-
Benson, Sheila Frick.
B. POSITIONS
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CLINICAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2017-present Owner, Founder, SubLime Kidz, LLC
2017-present Pediatric Occupational Therapist, (Part time) Sensational Kids Therapy,
Washington, DC
2007-2011 Occupational Therapist, Center for Rehabilitation and Development, Blacksburg,
VA. (Pediatrics, 0-22 yrs) Evaluated and treated children diagnosed with a variety
of pediatric conditions, including developmental delays, sensory-motor
integration dysfunction, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, autism
spectrum disorders, neurological and genetic conditions. Early intervention (EI),
early childhood special education (ECSE) and school age populations.
2008 Occupational Therapist/Consultant, Montgomery County public schools. Provided
evaluations and consultations Early Childhood, K to 12th grade children and their
families in the Montgomery County, New River Valley, VA school district.
2003 Occupational Therapist, Professional Rehab Associates, Radford, A. Evaluated
and treated children diagnosed with various pediatric conditions, including
sensory integration dysfunction, autism, attention deficit, cerebral palsy, etc. in
early intervention, and school age population, in both home, school and clinic
environments. Supervised and mentored Occupational Therapists and Certified
Occupational Therapy Assistants.
1998-2002 Occupational Therapist, Professional Therapies of Roanoke, VA. Evaluated and
treated children diagnosed with a variety of pediatric conditions in private practice
and school systems, including developmental delays, sensory-motor integration
dysfunction, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, autism, neurological
and genetic conditions. Early childhood, K-12th grades, Roanoke City Schools,
Involved with multi-disciplinary teams, child study, IEP”S (Individual Education
Plans), and IFSP’s (Individualized family service plans). Supervised and
mentored OTR’s and COTA’s (certified occupational therapy assistant) and
OT/OTA fieldwork students. Delivered ongoing in-service training, presentations
and workshops to colleagues, school personnel and parents).
Gillian A. Rai 4
 March, 2018
1997-1998 Staff Occupational Therapist, Theratx, Inc. at Royal Care of Erin, Skilled Nursing
Facility in Erin, TN. Evaluated and treated individuals with adult physical
conditions including Cerebral Vascular Accidents (CVA/Stroke), Hip
replacements, Parkinson’s disease, Head Injury, Amputations and Orthopedic
conditions, Physical Rehab. Planning Treatment for each patient, Group work.
Participated in weekly Rehab Meetings, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary
teamwork.
1996-1997 Occupational Therapist, Private Practitioner at The Meryck Bennet Center,
Durban, South Africa. Evaluated and treated children diagnosed Sensory
Integrative dysfunction, developmental delays, learning disabilities, attention
deficit, cerebral palsy and autism. Planned and implemented individual and group
therapy sessions, which included visual perceptual training, gross and fine motor
activities, sensory motor integration.
1995-1997 Full time School Occupational Therapist and Private Practitioner, Kenmont
School for the Learning Disabled, k-12th grade, Fynnlands, Durban, South Africa.
Evaluated and treated school-aged children diagnosed with developmental
delays, specific learning disabilities, sensory motor int