Douglene Jackson, PhD, OTR/L, LMT, ATP, CYT, FAOTA is an award-winning occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience in the rehabilitation field, serving individuals with and without disabilities across the lifespan in schools, hospitals, clinics, and community-based settings. She holds a PhD in Special Education with a focus on Early Childhood, a Master’s in Occupational Therapy, a Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Services with a concentration in Counseling, and a Diploma in Massage Therapy.

Dr. Jackson is the recipient of the 2022 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Award of Merit, the highest honor in the profession, and was inducted into the AOTA Roster of Fellows. In 2025, she was honored with the Dr. Lela A. Llorens Award of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation for her outstanding service and leadership. Her research contributions include securing grants and leading projects that improve outcomes in early childhood, maternal health, autism, and community well-being.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. Jackson holds numerous certifications in assistive technology, UI/UX design, telehealth, artificial intelligence prompt engineering, health and wellness, yoga, qigong, sensory integration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Jackson is a lifelong learner, always seeking knowledge and gaining more skills to be of service to others. She is actively engaged in several professional associations and executive boards, where she holds leadership roles.

Dr. Jackson is a passionate advocate for health and education equity, with research interests in early intervention, special education, and autism. She is an accomplished leader, speaker, educator, author, scholar, trainer, technology entrepreneur, and consultant with global experience. She is known for her ability to develop people and programs through simplified curriculum design, engaging content, and innovative solutions.

---

Well-being has always been central to Dr. Douglene Jackson’s life—from her early years as a student-athlete through her current work as a scholar-practitioner. In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of wellness has never been more apparent. Individuals and organizations alike are recognizing the critical need to cultivate balance and are increasingly investing in programs that promote mental resilience, physical vitality, strong social connections, and supportive environments. These initiatives not only improve individual health outcomes but also strengthen families, workplaces, and communities.

Drawing from her lived experience with autoimmune disease and her decades-long career in healthcare, Dr. Jackson brings a rare and holistic perspective to well-being. As both a provider and a consumer of care, she understands the urgency of creating spaces that honor the full person—body, mind, and spirit. Through GIFTS Institute, she leads wellness-focused programs grounded in health and education equity, helping people and populations build capacity for sustainable well-being.

Her offerings include:

• Evidence-informed workshops
• Personalized retreats and wellness weekends
• Programs centered on physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual health

Dr. Jackson holds extensive training and certifications in massage therapy, meditation, doula care, yoga, qigong, tai chi, reiki, breathwork, and sound healing. She complements this practice-based expertise with a strong foundation in research, using mixed methods and emancipatory frameworks to generate knowledge that centers community voices and catalyzes change.

Dr. Jackson is more than a practitioner—she is a scholar-advocate whose integrative approach to wellness empowers individuals and drives collective healing.