NYU OT Anti-Racism Task Force Session with Tyra Banks

Dr. Tyra M. Banks, EdD, MS, OTR/L, is an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine and Director of Student Engagement and Belonging in Columbia University’s Programs in Occupational Therapy. With over two decades of experience as an occupational therapist in pediatric settings, she blends extensive clinical expertise with a scholarship agenda centered on antiracism, as well as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in health professional education. Dr. Banks earned her MS in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University and her doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University. She teaches and mentors across the continuum of occupational therapy education, delivering core coursework for MS students, guiding OTD candidates through clinical scholarship, and leading inclusive teaching workshops for healthcare educators. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Banks has presented at national and international conferences on DEIB and anti- racist pedagogy, and she currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the New York State Occupational Therapy Association. In all her roles, she advocates for equitable learning environments that prepare future healthcare practitioners and the educators who train them to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse society.