Dustin Cox, DPT, PT, LSVT, CLT is an Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program at Cox College. Dr. Cox is a licensed physical therapist with advanced certification in therapeutic treatment for Parkinson’s and lymphedema. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Evangel University and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Southwest Baptist University and began practicing clinically in 2011. Dr. Cox has practiced in a variety of settings and specializes in geriatrics. His clinical focus includes maximizing quality of life and function, pain and lymphedema management, increasing balance and motor coordination, and decreasing bradykinetic movement. Dr. Cox brings rich perspective in the areas of biomechanics and environmental modification, biological concepts, neurological concepts, and maintaining highest level of occupational performance throughout the aging process.


Dr. Cox’s research focuses on the relation between pain and functional performance and wellness. His research interests also include evaluating the efficacy of balance treatment strategies to increase patient safety. His community service interests include active participation in a variety of outdoor sports for charitable organizations and he has organized student participation in these events. He has helped develop and maintain multi-use trails, focused on community access for all people with TrailSpring in Southwest Missouri. Dr. Cox is passionate about excellence in geriatric practice, innovation in healthcare, inter-disciplinary collaboration, cross-disciplinary training, and all things biomechanics.

Michelle Jackson, OTD, MBA, OTR/L is an Associate Professor for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program at Cox College. Dr. Jackson began her OT career in 1995 with a 3-month fieldwork in rural Ireland. This began a lifelong love of international aspects of care, and has led her to Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras. Dr. Jackson has practiced occupational therapy with various populations from NICU and pediatrics to adults. She has provided occupational therapy in a variety of settings including acute care, ICU, in-patient rehab, home health, and outpatient facilities in the states of Colorado, Washington, North Carolina, Texas, and now Missouri. Her specialty areas are acute care/trauma and NICU. While practicing in North Carolina, Dr. Jackson earned her MBA with specialty certification in health care administration. She completed her doctorate through Creighton University December 2020. Dr. Jackson’s research in trauma informed care was published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing in 2021.


Through a partnership with 7 Billion Ones and Gathering Friends for the Homeless, Dr. Jackson assisted in the development and successful launch of “The Road I Call Home”, a project that has led to new dialogue within the community of Springfield and across the country regarding homelessness. Dr. Jackson’s global perspective, ethical framework, client-centered delivery of practice, and her dedication to social justice are evident throughout her course delivery including rich case study work and classroom discussion. Dr. Jackson will be completing a Bioethics certificate program through Creighton University beginning fall 2022.

Dr. Anna Quigg, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is an Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program at Cox College. Dr. Quigg is a licensed developmental psychologist and licensed behavior analyst (doctoral-level). Dr. Quigg completed her education, training, and fellowships in the University of Maryland System in Baltimore, Maryland. She practiced clinically in California and Missouri conducting developmental, behavioral, and diagnostic assessments; providing Applied Behavior Analysis treatment, training, supervision, and operations oversight.


Dr. Quigg joined Cox College faculty in 2017 as Research Director for the MSOT Program. She has more than ten years’ experience in applied research and has published peer reviewed journal articles, poster presentations, and professional talks in the areas of pediatric growth and development, failure-to-thrive, feeding, development, caregiver stress and mental health, public policy, obesity, nutrition, and poverty. Her current research interests include professional education, pediatric well-being, and parent training. She continues to work clinically from her private practice, Quigg Consulting, which provides professional mentorship, supervision, consultation, and copy- and content-editing services. Dr. Quigg prepares students to see research opportunities in everyday clinical practice, to become critical consumers of information in order to create a generation of confident evidence-based practitioners.

Amy Stark, OTD, OTR/L, BCP is an Professor and MSOT Department Chair for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program at Cox College. Dr. Stark began practicing occupational therapy in 1998. She joined the Cox College faculty as a professor in 2015 and became Department Chair in 2017. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas occupational therapy program and of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions occupational therapy post-doctoral program. Her doctoral emphasis focused on occupational therapy education delivery as well as community programming that promotes physical engagement and social participation for children with autism and sensory processing difficulties.


Dr. Stark’s clinical expertise in the area of pediatrics where she became board certified in pediatrics through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 2009. She has worked as a pediatric therapist in hospital-based settings, school-based intervention, school team consultation and mediation, community mental health settings, and private practice settings. She helped develop a multi-disciplinary diagnostic and treatment team focused on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders and facilitates a number of projects in conjunction with various community partners focused on pediatric research and resource development in Southwest Missouri. In 2014, Dr. Stark published her first book, Positively Sensory: a guide to help your child develop positive approaches to learning and cope with sensory processing difficulty. Dr. Stark has been recognized by the Springfield Business Journal for both their 40 Under 40 Award and their 20 Most Influential Women in Southwest Missouri Award. She currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Stark is passionate about excellence in service delivery and client-centered care and seeks to foster positivity, leadership, critical thinking and clinical reasoning, and professionalism in the students she serves.

April Swanson, OTD, OTR/L is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Department at Cox College. Dr. Swanson began practicing occupational therapy in 2001. She joined the Cox College faculty in 2014. She serves as the faculty advisor to the active Student Occupational Therapy Association at Cox College. Dr. Swanson is a graduate of the University of Missouri- Columbia occupational therapy program and of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions occupational therapy doctoral program. Her doctoral capstone “An Occupational Therapist’s Proposal to the City of Republic: Creating Walking Environments for the Aging Population” combined two of her skilled practice areas: geriatrics and environmental impact on occupation. Dr. Swanson continues to stay clinically connected through work in home health and in consultation services.


Among her many roles, Dr. Swanson serves as the Vice President for the Southwest Missouri Occupational Therapy Association and serves as a member of the board for the Southwest Center for Independent Living in Springfield, MO. Dr. Swanson leads students in community service activities, campus events, and strives to foster self-reflection, creativity, and professionalism in the students she serves.