Rafael Gaerlan, MS, OTR/L

Rafael’s professional career as an Occupational Therapist has been an exciting journey guided by his belief to learn and experience the occupations of those around him. Rafael earned his Bachelor’s in Occupational Health and Safety at SUNY Stony Brook and his Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Stony Brook University Hospital. He is an advocate for holistic and client centered care and loves to learn about his patient’s occupations through discussion, videos about their day, and through learning hands-on.

During his clinical rotations Rafael made it a point to learn about each setting within the world of Occupational Therapy including acute inpatient Mental Health, pediatric school-based, geriatric skilled nursing, sub-acute outpatient, and outpatient hand therapy. 

Post graduation Rafael obtained a position in outpatient orthopedic care and is credited for the development of an ergonomic training and education program. After two years of dedicated work he was promoted to Manager of the Occupational Therapy department, and assisted in further developing the department in new offices across Manhattan. On top of this, Rafael began his self study for his specialty in Hand Therapy and advocated for the development of Hand Therapy in his department. Rafael has also served as an adjunct Professor for the Occupational Therapy program at Touro University educating graduate students on Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Outside of his professional career Rafael enjoys the study, procurement, and craft of coffee at home. He has collected ten different coffee makers and beans from several countries in an effort to learn more about different cultures and practices. Rafael also enjoys traveling to different countries and within the United States in a further effort to explore different cultures. Rafael’s other hobbies have been guided by a strong principle to “try everything twice” and also in part to experience his patient’s occupations. Over the years Rafael has enjoyed swimming, tennis, badminton, crocheting, gardening, baking, hiking, bouldering, archery, running a half marathon, and surfing.