Sherrilene Classen, PhD

Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, FGSA is Professor and immediate past Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida (UF). Dr. Classen, an academic leader, is an internationally funded prevention-oriented rehabilitation scientist with expertise in fitness-to-drive issues in at-risk drivers through the lifespan with content expertise in clinical assessments, driving simulators, on-road assessments, and autonomous vehicles. She has established SmartDriverTM (2017), a clinical driver rehabilitation program at UF, and developed the 14-credit Post-Professional Certificate in Driver Rehabilitation Therapy—with UF being the sole university in the U.S. teaching this program. Dr. Classen applies a public health, rehabilitation science, and clinical perspective to illuminate the depth and breadth of driver rehabilitation as a specialty area. Since 2002, she has received competitive external funding (totaling >$15 million) from U.S. federal agencies, industry, foundations, state departments, and international agencies. She has (co)authored over 230 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and special journal issues; is the editor of a handbook on driving simulation; and has presented over 350 papers at scientific conferences. Dr. Classen is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Gerontological Society of America, an inductee of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research, and past Chair of the National Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Research Committee (2022-2024).

Dr. Classen has developed the SmartDriver program –a clinical driver evaluation and training program. This program was launched in 2017 and it provides driver evaluation and rehabilitation services to medically at-risk drivers, as well as to teens with neurodiversity in North Central Florida. The Program operates three days per week, and is staffed by a full time Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist who is a faculty member in the OT Department, an administrative assistant, and driver rehabilitation therapists providing services as needed. Since 2018, we have evaluated and or treated almost 1500 cases.

Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, FGSA is Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida (UF). Dr. Classen, an academic leader, is an internationally funded prevention-oriented rehabilitation scientist with expertise in fitness-to-drive issues in at-risk drivers through the lifespan with content expertise in clinical assessments, driving simulators, on-road assessments, and autonomous vehicles. She has established SmartDriverTM (2017), a clinical driver rehabilitation program at UF, and developed the 14-credit Post-Professional Certificate in Driver Rehabilitation Therapy—with UF being the sole university in the U.S. teaching this program. Dr. Classen applies a public health, rehabilitation science, and clinical perspective to illuminate the depth and breadth of driver rehabilitation as a specialty area. Since 2002, she has received competitive external funding (totaling >$11 million) from U.S. federal agencies, industry, foundations, state departments, and international agencies. She has (co)authored over 180 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and special journal issues; is the editor of a handbook on driving simulation; and has presented over 340 papers at scientific conferences. Dr. Classen is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Gerontological Society of America, an inductee of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research, and Chair of the National Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Research Committee (2022-2024).