Neil Harvison, PhD, OTR, FNAP, FAOTA

Dr. Neil Harvison is a leader in occupational therapy with more than three decades of experience in clinical practice, accreditation, workforce development, higher education policy, and association management.

In July 2026, Dr. Harvison was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Programs and Policy Officer, overseeing initiatives in education, workforce development, professional development, regulatory policy, practice, and research. His work advanced data-informed decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and strategic collaboration with professional associations, government agencies, academic institutions, and employers to strengthen the occupational therapy workforce.

Dr. Harvison also has more than 20 years of health system leadership experience. He previously served as Associate Director of Rehabilitation Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and as Hospital Director at Mount Kisco Hospital Center. In these roles, he oversaw clinical operations, secured grant funding for innovative health care education programs, supported workforce preparation, and led interprofessional teams.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Harvison has held adjunct faculty and teaching appointments at Mercy University, Binghamton University, Columbia University, and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He has mentored future rehabilitation and health sciences professionals and contributed to efforts that prepare a skilled, responsive workforce.

His national and international board service includes leadership roles with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), and the Federation of Associations of Schools of Health Professions (FASHP). His contributions to higher education, accreditation, and workforce development have been recognized through honors including the National Academies of Practice Distinguished Fellow Award (2019), the ASPA Cynthia Davenport Leadership Award (2017), and the NYU Jim Hinojosa Distinguished Alumni Award (2017).

Dr. Harvison holds a PhD from the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University, a Master of Arts from NYU, and a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with First Class Honors from the University of Queensland in Australia. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed and invited publications on health care education, clinical competency, accreditation, and workforce issues.

Through his work in strategic leadership, workforce development, accreditation, policy advocacy, and organizational development, Dr. Harvison advances occupational therapy practice, professional development, and health care education policy.