Dr. Adam Steuer joined DePaul University in the Winter of 2023 as Assistant Professor in the Master of Occupational Therapy program. Prior to joining DePaul, Dr. Steuer was a faculty member at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas in their entry level OTD program and adjunct instructor in the entry level OTD program at Rush University Medical Center. Clinically, Dr. Steuer has worked at Rush University Medical Center since 2012 and maintains clinical status.
His scholarly areas of interest include occupational therapy's role after various surgeries including stroke, breast reconstruction, mastectomy, gender affirming surgery, and head and neck cancer, as well as how participation in occupation is crucial for physical recovery. Dr. Steuer's dissertation was titled “Occupational Therapy's Role After Breast Cancer Surgery: What is our unique contribution?". Dr. Steuer is currently working on 4 research studies at Rush Hospital.
Dr. Steuer presented at the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Conference: Surgeon's Day, in Canada in 2022 attempting to have occupational therapy included in their Standards of Care version 8 as a valued member of the interprofessional healthcare team. He also presented at the Chicago Breast & World Lymphedema Surgery Symposium on the role of rehabilitation following breast cancer surgery and lymphedema. Dr. Steuer presented at AOTA Inspire Conference in 2025 about Occupational Therapy's Role Surrounding Gender Affirming Surgeries.
Dr. Steuer teaches Positioning & Technology, Adults 1 and 2, Older Adults & Aging, as well as works with 10 students on their EBP Project in the lifelong learning curricular thread.
Dr. Steuer enjoys spending time with his husband and two toddlers, playing competitive tennis, cooking, and traveling.
Education:
BA in Movement and Sport Sciences, Purdue University, 2010
MOT in Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, 2012
DHSc in Doctor of Health Sciences, University of Indianapolis, 2021
Licenses and Certifications:
IL OT License
NBCOT Certified
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Publications:
Steuer, A., & Walker, K. (2025). Occupational Therapy's Role for Gender-Affirming Genital Surgeries: Metoidioplasty and Phalloplasty. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2345
Steuer, A., Polo, K. M., Little, L., Madrigrano, A., & Taylor, S. J. (2024). Occupational Therapy After Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery: A Predictor for Opioid Prescriptions. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 44(2), 236-243. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492231182626
Steuer, A., & Walker, K. (2023). Occupational Therapy's Role for Gender Affirming Surgeries: Vaginoplasty and Vulvoplasty. Occupational Therapy In Health Care, 39(1), 128–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2023.2243333
Sulejmani, P., Lunt, L., Mazur, M., Coogan, A., Steuer, A., O'Donoghue, C., & Madrigrano, A. (2023). Enhanced recovery after surgery and postoperative nausea and length of stay in mastectomy patients with reconstruction. Journal of Surgical Research, 289, 158-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2023.02.003
Steuer, A., Polo, K. M., Little, L., Madrigrano, A., & Taylor, S. J. (2023). Occupational therapy after breast cancer reconstructive surgery: A predictor for opioid prescriptions. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 15394492231182626. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492231182626
Steuer, A., & Walker, K. (2023). Occupational therapy's role for gender affirming surgeries: Vaginoplasty and vulvoplasty. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2023.2243333
Selected Presentations:
Steuer, A., Mendes, C., Ciesla, C., Schechter, L. (2022). The Need for a Comprehensive Interprofessional Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Pathway: Initial Recommendations and Future Visions. World Professional Association for Transgender Health Conference. State-of-the-Art Surgeon Symposium Workshop.
Steuer, A., Polo, K., Little, L., Madrigrano, A. (2021). The Effects of a Breast Reconstruction Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program. The Southwest Surgical Congress.
Steuer, A., Toates, J., Smith, E. P., Alison, N. I., Little, L. (2022). Occupational Therapy after Breast Reconstruction: The Effect on Opioid Refills On Over 450 Patients. World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress.
Steuer, A., Little, L., & Taylor, S. (2022). Age and Occupational Therapy are Associated with Lower Rates of Opioid Prescriptions after Breast Reconstruction. Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars.
Steuer, A., Lunt, L., Madrigrano, A. (2022). Prolonged Healing and Radiation Therapy Are The Only Factors That Preclude Women From Attending Occupational Therapy After Breast Reconstruction. The Southwest Surgical Congress.
Steuer, A. The Need for Therapy Clinical Practice Guidelines and Pathways. (2021). Chicago Breast & World Lymphedema Surgery Symposium.
Steuer, A., Polo, K., Little, L., Madrigrano, A. (2021). Occupational Therapy After Breast Reconstruction: A Matched Case Control Study. American Society of Breast Surgeons Conference.
Kokosis, G., Shenaq, D., Steuer, A. (2020). Innovations in Lymphedema Management: Microsurgical Techniques. Continuing Education Event Sponsored by Rush University College of Medicine.
Kral, M. & Steuer, A. (2019). Head & Neck Cancer Rehabilitation: Occupational Therapy's Role, Illinois Occupational Therapy Conference.
Steuer, A. & Kral, M. Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. Illinois Occupational Therapy Association Conference. April 2016.