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Bernard Austin Kigunda Muriithi, PhD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor

Bernard Muriithi

Contact

bernardmuriithi@creighton.edu
Faculty - Pharmacy, OT, PT
Occupational Therapy Faculty
Occupational Therapy
PHX - Phoenix Health Sciences

Bernard Austin Kigunda Muriithi, PhD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor

Dr. Muriithi joined the Department of Occupational Therapy at Creighton University after nearly 4 years in academia and a total of 8 years as an occupational therapist. His clinical practice background includes acute care, home health, mental health, and school-based settings. Dr. Muriithi acquired his Master of Arts in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California (USC). Prior to his training in occupational therapy, he obtained a PhD in applied musicology and music therapy from Otto-von-Guericke Universitaet Magdeburg (Germany), and Master of Music and Bachelor of Education Arts degrees from Kenyatta University (Nairobi, Kenya). Dr. Muriithi’s research interests draw from his interdisciplinary background and cross-cultural experience. He was privileged to live and receive graduate education in Africa, Europe, and the United States. His current research includes examining the relationship between resilience and specified occupations (or activities); problems facing marginalized groups of people; application of music and related arts in individual, group, and community interventions; and instructional methods. Dr. Muriithi has a high interest in both theory development and translation of theory into practice. Outside of work Dr. Muriithi enjoys meditation, religious practices, music, hiking, socializing, and traveling. He is married to a fellow occupational therapist, has two daughters, and enjoys family life.

Department

Occupational Therapy (Phoenix)

Position

Assistant Professor

Books

  • , Kigunda, M. (2012). Music and health in Kenya: Sound, spirituality and altered consciousness juxtaposed with emotions. Akademiker Verlag. -0001

Articles

  • , Muriithi, B. A. K. (2020). Music as the medicine of trauma among refugees in Arizona. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 20(2).
    20(2) 2020
  • VA.
    , Muriithi, B. A. K., Muriithi, J., Gupta, J., Radziak, J., & Story, A. (2022). Occupational Resilience: Construct and Practice Implications in Occupational Therapy. -0001
  • , Muriithi, B.A.K. (2023). Occupational therapy interventions for communities and populations [Manuscript Submitted]. In G. Gillen & C. Brown (Eds.). Willard & Spackmans occupational therapy (14th Ed.), Wolters Kluwer. -0001
  • , Muriithi, B. A. K. (in press) Community music therapy and the theory of occupational reconstruction: Effects of postcolonialism in emerging perspectives for social transformation. In S. Hadley & A. Crooke (Eds.) Postcolonial music therapy. Barcelona. -0001
  • , Gupta, J., & Muriithi, B. A. K. (2021). Realism. In S. Taff (Ed.), Philosophy in occupational therapy, Slack Inc. -0001
  • , Frank, G., & Muriithi, B. A. K. (2015). Theorizing social transformation in occupational science: The American Civil Rights Movement and South African struggle against Apartheid as ‘occupational reconstructions’. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45(1).
    45(1) -0001
  • , Kigunda, B. M. (2004). Music therapy canning and the healing rituals of Catholic Charismatics in Kenya. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 4(3). -0001
  • , Kigunda, B. M. (2003). Music therapy: A therapeutic force remains anonymous in Kenya. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 3(3).
    3(3) -0001

Publications

  • , Kigunda, M. (2007). Music and health in Kenya: Sound, spirituality and altered consciousness juxtaposed with emotions [Doctoral dissertation, Otto-von-Guericke Universitaet Magdeburg]. -0001

Presentations

  • Muriithi, B. A. K., Muriithi, J., Gupta, J., Radziak, J., & Story, A. (2022, April). Occupational resilience:Exploring meaning & applications in clinical practice & research. Oral & virtual presentation AOTA Inspire: 2022 Annual Conference & Expo, San Antonio, TX. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K., & Muriithi, J. (2022, August). Lived experiences of refugee musicians: Indelible tenacity in pursuit of cultural identity and emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing amidst adversity. Oral & virtual presentation World Federation of Occupational Therapy Quadrennial Congress, Paris, France. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K. (2021, October). Pairing simulated auditory hallucinations with performance of varied occupations to optimize learning among OT students. Oral presentation AOTA Education Summit, St. Louis, MO. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K., & Muriithi, J. (2021, October). Occupational resilience: Concept, frame of reference, and clinical implications. Oral presentation Arizona Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference, Peoria, AZ. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K., & Muriithi, J. (2021, March). Occupational resilience: A new concept and its measurement. Virtual presentation Western Regional Occupational Therapy Spring Symposium. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K., & Muriithi, J. (2020, March). Occupational resilience: A new concept in occupational science. Poster accepted for presentation at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S1-PO3508 -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K., & Muriithi, J. (2020, March). The role of music performance in fostering quality of life among refugee artists. Poster accepted for presentation at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, Boston, MA. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K., & Muriithi, J. (2019, October). Occupational Resilience: Refugee Music Performance after Displacement. Poster presentation Society for the Study of Occupation: USA Annual Conference, Scottsdale, AZ. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K. (2016, March). Promoting occupational engagement through manipulation of consciousness. Oral presentation Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, San Diego, CA. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K. (2015, March). Approaches to post-stroke motor control rehabilitation. Oral presentation Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, Anaheim, CA. -0001
  • Muriithi, B. A. K., & Frank, G. (2013, September). Music, justice, and social healing: Theorizing the American Civil Rights Movement in occupational therapy and occupational science. Oral presentation Annual Western Michigan University Medical Humanities Conference, Kalamazoo, MI. -0001
  • Kigunda, M. (2011, May). The place of music and arts in healthcare. Keynote speech Annual Mt. San Antonio College Health Sciences Conference, Walnut, CA. -0001

Consulting

  • Consultant
    Training and consultancy
    https://therapistsbeyondborders.org/
    Therapists Beyond Borders
    2022 - 2022
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