Sarah Jean Barton
Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Theological Ethics
You can order my book , Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability and the Practice of Christian Community , from Baylor University Press or your local bookstore!
I hold a dual appointment in the School of Medicine and Duke Divinity School. My primary areas of scholarship include Christian theology and ethics, disability studies, accessible education, and occupational therapy. I focus on participatory research methodologies in partnership with people experiencing intellectual disabilities.
Education
Doctor of Theology
Dissertation: “Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability, Baptism, and the Practice of Christian Community”
Certificate in Reflective and Faithful Teaching
Duke Divinity School (Durham, NC, USA), 2014 - 2019
Master of Theological Studies
summa cum laude , Certificate in Anglican Studies
Thesis: “Toward Human Flourishing: Theological Perspectives in Occupational Therapy”
Duke Divinity School (Durham, NC, USA), 2012-2014
Master of Science
Occupational Therapy, Pi Theta Epsilon
Boston University (Boston, MA, USA), 2009-2012
Bachelor of Science
magna cum laude , Biology
Seattle Pacific University (Seattle, WA, USA), 2005-2009
You can order my book , Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability and the Practice of Christian Community , from Baylor University Press or your local bookstore!
I hold a dual appointment in the School of Medicine and Duke Divinity School. My primary areas of scholarship include Christian theology and ethics, disability studies, accessible education, and occupational therapy. I focus on participatory research methodologies in partnership with people experiencing intellectual disabilities.
Education
Doctor of Theology
Dissertation: “Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability, Baptism, and the Practice of Christian Community”
Certificate in Reflective and Faithful Teaching
Duke Divinity School (Durham, NC, USA), 2014 - 2019
Master of Theological Studies
summa cum laude , Certificate in Anglican Studies
Thesis: “Toward Human Flourishing: Theological Perspectives in Occupational Therapy”
Duke Divinity School (Durham, NC, USA), 2012-2014
Master of Science
Occupational Therapy, Pi Theta Epsilon
Boston University (Boston, MA, USA), 2009-2012
Bachelor of Science
magna cum laude , Biology
Seattle Pacific University (Seattle, WA, USA), 2005-2009
Office Hours
I am away on parental leave during the 2023 Spring Semester.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Occupational Therapy, Orthopaedic Surgery 2021
Contact Information
- Background
-
Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Theological Ethics, Divinity School, Duke University 2020 - 2022
- Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Occupational Therapy, Orthopaedic Surgery 2020
- Instructor, Medical Center in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Occupational Therapy, Orthopaedic Surgery 2019 - 2020
-
Leadership & Clinical Positions at Duke
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist, AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics; Duke University Hospital and Lenox Baker Children's Hospital; 2013-2018; 2020-Present
- Recognition
-
In the News
-
OCT 4, 2022 Faith & Leadership -
APR 6, 2022 The Chronicle -
OCT 27, 2020 Bass Connections -
APR 12, 2018
-
-
Awards & Honors
- Expertise
-
Subject Headings
- Research
-
Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants
- “Pathologies of Community: The Impact of Head and Neck Cancer on Religious Participation” awarded by Duke University Bass Connections Program 2022
- The Seminar on Vocation and Disability awarded by The Collegeville Institute and Western Theological Seminary Center for Disability and Ministry 2022
- Disability Pedagogy awarded by Wabash Center & The American Academy of Religion 2021
- Seed Grant: Building an Inclusive, Anti-Racist Knowledge Community Among Faculty, Staff and Students in the New Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program awarded by Duke Office for Faculty Advancement 2021
- Duke AHEAD Certificate in Health Professions Education and Teaching awarded by Duke AHEAD 2020 - 2021
- Dissertation Fellowship (Honorary) awarded by The Louisville Institute 2018 - 2019
- Fellowship Partners Program - Academic Track awarded by Episcopal Church Foundation 2018 - 2019
- The Nouwen Fellowship in Disability Studies awarded by Western Theological Seminary 2018 - 2020
- Dissertation Research Grant awarded by The Calvin Institute on Christian Worship 2017 - 2018
- Graduate Fellow awarded by The Kenan Institute for Ethics, Duke University 2017 - 2018
- Doctoral Fellow awarded by The Louisville Institute 2015 - 2017
-
External Relationships
- Baylor University Press
- Collegeville Institute
- Journey to Baptismal Living
- L'Arche North Carolina
- Publications & Artistic Works
-
Selected Publications
-
Books
-
Barton, Sarah Jean. Becoming the Baptized Body Disability and the Practice of Christian Community, 2022.
-
-
Academic Articles
-
Barton, S. J. “Re-Membering Methodology in Theologies of Disability.” Journal of Disability and Religion 26, no. 2 (January 1, 2022): 135–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2021.1988883.Full Text Open Access Copy
-
Barton, Sarah Jean, Sahil Sandhu, Isabelle Doan, Lillian Blanchard, Alex Dai, Alexandra Paulenich, Emily R. Smith, et al. “Perceived barriers and supports to accessing community-based services for Uganda's pediatric post-surgical population.” Disabil Rehabil 43, no. 15 (July 2021): 2172–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1694999.Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
-
Barton, Sarah. “Expanding the Theological Classroom.” The Wabash Center Journal on Teaching 2, no. 1 (March 30, 2021). https://doi.org/10.31046/wabashcenter.v2i1.1704.Full Text Open Access Copy
-
Barton, S. J. “Access and Disability Justice in Theological Education.” Journal of Disability and Religion 25, no. 3 (January 1, 2021): 279–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2021.1895025.Full Text Open Access Copy
-
Barton, Sarah. “Remember Your Baptism: Engaging People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from a Wesleyan Perspective.” Wesleyan Theological Journal 55, no. 2 (September 1, 2020): 207–25.Open Access Copy Link to Item
-
Smith, Emily R., Brittney J. van de Water, Anna Martin, Sarah Jean Barton, Jasmine Seider, Christopher Fitzgibbon, Mathama Malakha Bility, et al. “Availability of post-hospital services supporting community reintegration for children with identified surgical need in Uganda.” Bmc Health Serv Res 18, no. 1 (September 20, 2018): 727. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3510-2.Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
-
Barton, S. J. “A Critical Approach to Integrating Christian Disability Theology in Clinical Rehabilitation.” Journal of Disability and Religion 21, no. 1 (January 2, 2017): 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2016.1269255.Full Text Open Access Copy
-
-
Book Sections
-
Barton, S. J. “Theologising disability: Intersections of critique and collaboration.” In Interdisciplinary Approaches to Disability: Looking Towards the Future: Volume 2, 173–84, 2018. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351053228-17.Full Text
-
Barton, S. “Theologizing Disability: The Future of Critique and Collaboration at the Intersections of Theology and Disability Studies.” In Interdisciplinary Approaches to Disability, edited by Mike Kent, Rachel Robertson, and Katie Ellis. Ashgate, 2018.
-
Barton, S., and Ray Barfield. “Religion and Spirituality in Pediatrics.” In Spirituality and Religion Within the Culture of Medicine From Evidence to Practice, edited by Michael Balboni and John Peteet. Oxford University Press, 2017.
-
-
Other Articles
-
Barton, Sarah. “Considering the Intersections of Trauma and Disability.” Anabaptist Disabilities Network, 2019.Open Access Copy Link to Item
-
Barton, Sarah. “Welcoming Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.” Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices Vestry Papers, 2018.Link to Item
-
Barton, S., Sue Berger, Sue Coppola, H. Colter, K. Gleason, and C. Kaminski. “Infusing Occupational Justice into Gerontology Practice.” Gerontology Special Interest Section Quarterly. American Occupational Therapy Association, 2012.
-
-
Book Reviews
-
Barton, Sarah. “Review of Creative Ideas for Worship with All Abilities by Hazel Bradley & Jim Cargin.” Encounter: A Journal of Theological Scholarship, 2021.
-
Barton, Sarah. “Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability, and the Body of Christ; Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship.” Journal of Pastoral Theology, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/10649867.2020.1834977.Full Text
-
Barton, Sarah. “Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability, and the Body of Christ by Brian Brock.” Theology Today. SAGE Publications, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040573620918175.Full Text
-
Barton, Sarah. “Review of Disability and World Religions: An Introduction edited by Darla Schumm and Michael Stoltzfus.” Modern Believing, 2019.
-
Barton, sarah. “When liturgy embraces difference.” The Christian Century, 2019.Link to Item
-
-
Digital Publications
-
Barton, S. “Time in New Creation: Apocalypse, Baptism, and Remembering.” Syndicate, n.d.Link to Item
-
-
- Teaching & Mentoring
-
Recent Courses
- OT-D 513: Formation for Service II 2023
- CHILDPOL 393: Research Independent Study 2022
- EDUC 391: Independent Study 2022
- EDUC 393: Research Independent Study 2022
- OT-D 506: Formation for Service I 2022
- OT-D 513: Formation for Service II 2022
- PASTCARE 813: The Disabled Church 2022
- XTIANTHE 853: The Disabled Church 2022
- XTIANTHE 999: Directed Study 2022
- OT-D 506: Formation for Service I 2021
- PASTCARE 812: Discipleship and Disability 2021
- SOCIOL 393: Research Independent Study 2021
- XTIANETH 761: Health Care in Theological Context I 2021
- XTIANETH 809: Discipleship and Disability 2021
-
Advising & Mentoring
- I serve as the faculty advisor to the Spoon Collective student group at Duke Divinity School.
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
-
Presentations & Appearances
- Book panel on Spurrier’s The Disabled Church and Barton’s Becoming the Baptized Body. American Academy of Religion. November 2022 2022
- Compassionate Communication for Connection: Approaches for Occupational Therapy Education and Practice. Fall Conference. North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association. November 2022 2022
- Formation for Service: A Novel Approach to Professional Identity Formation in Occupational Therapy Education. Education Summit. American Occupational Therapy Association. November 2022 2022
- Poetry in Narrative Medicine. Narrative Medicine Workshop. Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities, & the History of Medicine. September 2022 2022
- What Does it Mean to be Healed? . Practice and Presence. Duke Divinity School. September 2022 2022
- “Knowing That You Are Connected:” Religious Participation and Occupational Identity Among Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress. August 2022 2022
- Disability, Baptism, and Justice. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. July 2022 2022
- Disability Justice: Cultivating Anti-Ableist Practices in Church and Community. Center for Reconciliation. May 2022 2022
- Co-Constructing the Sacred: Why Research Methodology Matters. Conference on Medicine and Religion. March 2022 2022
- Imagining the Disabled Body in Clinical Practice. Arete. AnMed. March 2022 2022
- Universal Design for Learning in Theological and Religious Education. American Academy of Religion. March 2022 2022
- “Who’s In the Room?” Bioethical Reflections on Disability in Health Professions Education. OHSU Center for Ethics and Health Care. February 2022 2022
- Disabling Christian Formation. FORMA Conference. January 2022 2022
- Disabling Theological Education. Virtual roundtable discussion. American Academy of Religion. November 2021 2021
- “Becoming Who I Truly Am”: Religious Practice and Occupational Identity Among Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. The Society for the Study of Occupation. October 2021 2021
- Inclusive Teaching and Learning for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Conditions in Healthcare Professions Education: A Pilot Study. Duke AHEAD Showcase. June 2021 2021
- Disability in Christian Thought. The Conference on Medicine and Religion. March 2021 2021
- “Narrow Is the Way”: Clinical Practice, Scholarship, and Christian Discipleship. The Conference on Medicine and Religion. March 2021 2021
- Re-Membering Methodologies in Theologies of Disability. The American Academy of Religion. November 2020 2020
- Spirituality and Disability in Patient Care: Where We Are Now and Hopes for the Future. Theology, Medicine, and Culture Seminar Series. Duke Divinity School. October 2020 2020
- Considering Disability: Religion and Human Limitation in Medical Contexts. Woll Family Speaker Series on Health, Spirituality, and Religion. The University of Michigan Medical School Program on Health, Religion, and Spirituality Leadership. February 2020 2020
- Christian Perspectives on Disability Identity. The Society of Christian Ethics. January 2020 2020
- Becoming the Baptized Body. The Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. May 2019 2019
- From Longing to Belonging: Theological Education. The Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. May 2019 2019
- Reexamining Healing from Christian Theology and Disability Studies. The Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. May 2019 2019
- “Ask Me About My Uterus:” Theological Responses to Women’s Pain in Contemporary Western Medicine. Conference on Medicine and Religion. March 2019 2019
- “Do ye hear the children weeping?” Responding to Childhood Suffering at the Intersection of Clinical Practice and Christian Theology. Conference on Medicine and Religion. March 2019 2019
- Intellectual Disability and Theological Anthropology: Reimagining the Conversation with St. Paul. . Day of Study. St. Benedict Institute. February 2019 2019
- Baptism, Personhood, and Universal Design: Learning from Disability. Calvin Symposium on Worship. Calvin Institute on Christian Worship. January 2019 2019
- Coaching on Universal Design for Worship. Calvin Symposium on Worship. Calvin Institute on Christian Worship. January 2019 2019
- Rethinking the Theological Classroom: Engaging People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as Scholars. American Academy of Religion. November 2018 2018
- Engaging People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as Scholars and Leaders. Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. June 2018 2018
- Documenting Disability: Ableism, Electronic Medical Records, and the Challenge of Christian Identity. Theology, Medicine, and Culture Seminar. Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities, & History of Medicine. February 2018 2018
- Challenging Ableist Foundations of Modern Medical Practice: The Power of Liturgy.. Conference on Medicine and Religion. 2018 2018
- Disability and Dependency. Duke Divinity School. 2018 2018
- Discipleship and Disability: A Baptismal Approach. Western Theological Seminary. 2018 2018
- Supports and Barriers to Community-Based Care for Children with Disabilities in Uganda. American Occupational Therapy Association. 2018 2018
- Disability and the Healing Arts. Duke Divinity School. September 2017 2017
- Introduction to Disability Studies and the Hebrew Bible. February 2017 2017
- Pediatric Post-Surgical Community Resource Geospatial Mapping in Uganda. Annual Research Meeting. Academy Health. 2017 2017
- How to Not Be in Control: What the Gospel Teaches Us About Being Human. Practice & Presence Conference. Duke Divinity School. May 2016 2016
- Welcoming People with Disabilities: How the Church Can Help and How the Church Can Hurt. Reimagining Health Conference. Duke Divinity School. July 2015 2015
-
Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
- Trauma-Informed Care Consultant. Reality Ministries. October 2021 2021
- Board of Directors. L'Arche North Carolina. January 2021 2021
- Founding Member. Access in Medicine Group (AIM). November 2020 2020
- The Disabled God: A Theology of Disability. Christ Church Cranbrook. October 2019 2019
- Webinar Guest. The Church and Disability. Duke Divinity School: The Reimagining Health Collaborative. May 2018 2018
- Curriculum Developer. The Reimagining Health Collaborative. Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative. 2016 2016
- Executive Planning Committee. Practice and Presence: A Gathering for Christians in Healthcare. Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative. 2016 2016
- Collaborator and Educator. The Reimagining Health Initiative. Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative. 2015 - 2019 2015 - 2019
-
Service to the Profession
- Chair of the Underrepresented Scholars Mentorship Program Subcommittee. American Academy of Religion. April 2022 2022
- Journal Peer Reviewer. Disability & Rehabilitation. September 2021 2021
- Status of People with Disabilities in the Profession Committee, Appointed Member. The American Academy of Religion. January 2021 - December 2024 2021 - 2024
- Review Board Member. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. December 2020 2020
- Journal Peer Reviewer. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. November 2020 2020
- Journal Peer Reviewer. Horizons, The Journal of the College Theology Society. October 2020 2020
- Center Associate. The Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary. June 2020 2020
- Editorial Advisory Board Member. The Journal of Disability & Religion. May 2020 2020
- Book Manuscript Peer Reviewer. Baylor University Press. April 2020 2020
- Co-Convener for Christian Ethics and Disability Inclusion Interest Group. The Society of Christian Ethics. January 2020 2020
- Religious Studies and Disability Unit, Steering Committee Member. The American Academy of Religion. November 2019 2019
- Manuscript Reviewer. 2018 International Congress. World Federation of Occupational Therapists. 2017 2017
- Cooperative Resource Exhibit Co-Coordinator. The Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. 2013 2013
- Manuscript Reviewer. 2014 International Congress. World Federation of Occupational Therapists. 2013 2013
-
Service to Duke
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure. 2023 2023
- Occupational Therapy Doctorate. Curriculum Committee. April 2022 2022
- Duke OTD Curriculum Committee . January 2022 2022
- Duke Disability and Access Initiative. August 2017 2017
- Duke Divinity School. Duke Graduate Conference in Theology Executive Planning Committee. 2015 - 2016 2015 - 2016
-
Clinical Activities
-
I worked from June 2013-June 2018 and June 2020 - June 2022 as a pediatric occupational therapist at Duke University Health System. I am one of seven occupational therapists in the state of North Carolina with a board certification in pediatrics.
The following represent some of my recent presentations as a clinician in occupational therapy and other interdisciplinary settings:
- Barton, S. J., Hall, A., and Newton, R. Supporting Function and Participation Across the Lifespan with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Poster presentation delivered at the American Occupational Therapy Association's Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, April, 2019.
- Barton, S. J., Hall, A., and Newton, R. Supporting Function and Participation Across the Lifespan with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Short course delivered at the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Raleigh, NC, November, 2017.
- Barton, S. J. Collaborating with Chaplains to Address Client Spirituality. Poster presentation delivered at The American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, April, 2016.
- Barton, S. J. Expanding the Scope of Interprofessional Dialogue in Occupational Therapy. Short course presentation delivered at The American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, April, 2015
- Barton, S. J. Engaging Theological Perspectives in Occupational Therapy. Poster presentation delivered at The American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, April, 2014.
- Barton, S. J. Integrating Spirituality and Clinical Practice: Occupational Therapy and Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Poster presentation delivered at The American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, April, 2013.
- Barton, S. J., Porcello, D. R., and Wilske, G. C. The Collaborative Fieldwork Model: Student and Supervisory Perspectives. Poster presentation delivered at The American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, April, 2013.
- Alaniz, A. E., Barton, S. J., and Sachs, L. Occupational Therapy and Sexuality: The Role of the Therapist in the Sexual Health and Sexual Expression of Clients. Session presentation delivered at Boston University’s annual Lead the Way Symposium, Boston, MA, May, 2011.
I hold the following professional clinical affiliations:
Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (2020-Present)North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (2012-Present)
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (2010-Present)
American Occupational Therapy Association (2009-Present)
Michigan Occupational Therapy Association (2018 - 2020)
-
I worked from June 2013-June 2018 and June 2020 - June 2022 as a pediatric occupational therapist at Duke University Health System. I am one of seven occupational therapists in the state of North Carolina with a board certification in pediatrics.
Some information on this profile has been compiled automatically from Duke databases and external sources. (Our About page explains how this works.) If you see a problem with the information, please write to Scholars@Duke and let us know. We will reply promptly.
