Dr. Kitzenberg is widely recognized for her role in helping launch and lead Montana's first occupational therapy program in Billings through the University of Mary, where she has served since 2013 as program director and associate professor for the OTD program in Billings. Rocky Mountain College extends deep respect and appreciation to the University of Mary for its pioneering work in bringing OT education to Montana and for the impact that Dr. Kitzenberg and their program have had on the state's occupational therapy workforce.
“University of Mary’s OT program opened the door for occupational therapy education in Montana, and Paula has been at the heart of that effort from the beginning,” RMC OTD Program Director Dr. Corwin Sutherin added. “We are grateful for the foundation that has been built and honored that Paula has chosen to bring her experience and passion to Rocky Mountain College as we continue to grow OT education in Billings and across Montana.”
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A leader in occupational therapy education in Montana
Dr. Kitzenberg brings more than a decade of program leadership and a career grounded in both clinical excellence and academic innovation in occupational therapy. She earned her Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy from the University of North Dakota and her master's in health administration from Montana State University–Billings, strengthening her understanding of both clinical practice and health care systems in Montana. She later completed her post professional occupational therapy doctorate at the University of Utah.
She received specialized training in sensory integration and obtained SIPT certification through the University of Southern California, further deepening her expertise in pediatric and neuro-sensory occupational therapy practice. Since the onset of her career in higher education, Dr. Kitzenberg has played a central role in:
- Establishing and growing the first occupational therapy program in Montana, based in Billings.
- Serving as program director and associate professor for the Billings-based OTD program.
- Providing on-the-ground teaching and mentorship as the primary on-site faculty member—ensuring students had in-person guidance, lab instruction, and clinical preparation in Billings.
A passion for in-person, hands-on OT education
While Dr. Kitzenberg has excelled in hybrid and distance OT education, she has long envisioned finishing her career as part of a fully in-person occupational therapy faculty team.
“My dream is to be a part of an in-person faculty team teaching occupational therapy,” Dr. Kitzenberg shared. “There is no replacement in the OT field for hands-on education. Occupational therapy is a very involved and hands-on career, and that is why I’m so excited to be part of the Rocky Mountain College OTD family—teaching in a fully in-person program, in state-of-the-art lab spaces, alongside colleagues and students every day.”
At Rocky Mountain College, Dr. Kitzenberg will teach and mentor OTD students in a fully in-person occupational therapy doctorate program, making extensive use of RMC's modern, hands-on OT lab spaces and simulation environments. Her experience with curriculum design, clinical leadership, pediatric services, and program administration will support RMC OTD's continued growth as a clinically grounded, practice-ready OT education program in Montana.
