Said Nafai, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CLT
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Biography
Dr. Said Nafai, OTD, OTR/L, CLT is the Associate Professor at American International College. He has over 15 years of clinical experience that includes physical rehabilitation for adults and older adults, especially rehabilitation in the areas of oncology, lymphedema, cardiopulmonary, neurorehabilitation, and dementia. He directed several rehabilitation facilities and still does clinical work in a rehabilitation hospital and skilled nursing facilities.
Dr. Nafai is considered the “Father of OT in Morocco” and is the founder of occupational therapy in Morocco as well as the founding President of the Occupational Therapy Association of Morocco (OTAM). Said serves as the Moroccan Delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and the Chair of the WFOT Arab Regional Group.
Dr. Nafai has shared his expertise at the presenting frequently at national and international events. Dr. Nafai has received numerous professional awards and recognitions both nationally and internationally. In March 2020, he was honored with the “International Service Award” from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). He has served in 2011-2016 as board member at the Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Association (MAOT).
Dr. Nafai was invited in 2017 and 2019 by the World Health Organization to participate in the GATE Summit that aims to facilitate access to assistive technology to people in need of them worldwide.
Degrees
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy, 2015, Boston University
- Bachelor of Occupational Science, 2009, Salem State University
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, 2011, Salem State University
- Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy, 2005, Quinsigamond Community College
Certifications and Memberships
- Registered OT by the National for Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
- Member of WFOT
- Member of AOTA
- Member of MAOTA
- Teaching Blended & Online Format Certification
- Wound Therapy Certification
- Training in Person-Centered Dementia Care: A Habilitation Therapy Training Curriculum by the American Alzheimer’s Association
- Certified CarFit Event Coordinator Certification
- Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
- Certified Physical Agents Modalities (PAM)
- Brain Gym for Special Needs Certification
- Advanced Kinesio Taping Certificate training
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training
- CPR Certified as Healthcare Provider
Courses
- OTR5040: Occupational Science
- OTR 5060: Task & Activity Analysis
- OTR 5120: Evidence Based Practice
- OTR5233: Adults Fieldwork Service Delivery
- OTR5431: Adults Physical Occupations
- OTR5525: Program Development in Health/Wellness
- OTR6033: The Occupational Therapy Process: Aging
Research Interests
- Disability
- Physical dysfunction: geriatrics, oncology, lymphedema, dementia, wound care
- Work related injuries
- Assistive technology
- Occupational therapy expansion globally
Language Spoken
- Arabic
- English
- French
- German
Publications
Stevens-Nafai, E. W., & Nafai, S. (2019). Chapter 5. Global Perspectives on Occupational Therapy Practice. In Occupational Therapy Manager (6th ed., pp. 55-64). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press
Nafai, S., Barlow, K., & Stevens-Nafai, E. (2017). OT in Morocco: Sustaining service learning trips through telehealth. OT Practice, 22(2), 20-22
Nafai, S. (2015) Proposed Curriculum for the First Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Program in Morocco. OpenBU https://open.bu.edu/handle/2144/13999
Nafai, S., Stevens-Nafai, E., Salman, H. (2017). Abstract: The Effectiveness of Hand Exercise and Thermal Modalities Agents in Managing Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Hands: Randomized Controlled Study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2017; 71(4_Supplement_1):7111520286p1-7111520286p1. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2017.71S1-PO4025
Tariah, H. A., Nafai, S., Alajmi, M., Almutairi, F., & Alanazi, B. (2020). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work (Reading, Mass.), 65(2), 421–428. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-203094
Office
Room#: 124 Courniotes Hall