Monica Ann Pessina (Sargent’90, CAMED’05) is a clinical associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology in Boston University’s Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine. She specializes in the connection between human anatomy and professional practice across healthcare, rehabilitation, and forensic science.

Professor Pessina’s ability to teach to the specific needs of various student populations is remarkable. In addition to her appointment at the medical school, she is a course director in Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and teaches in the BU Graduate Medical Sciences program, forensic anthropology program, and occupational therapy doctoral program. She is renowned for the clarity with which she presents the clinical applications of foundational concepts of anatomy.

An innovative educator, Professor Pessina continually refines her teaching, employing simple models and drawings, group projects that simulate real-world clinical and diagnostic challenges, and varied instructional approaches that support multiple ways of learning.

Her department chair praises her as having “the experience and flexibility to know which aspects of the learning environment to change and which to preserve…by paying attention to new approaches and meticulously planning her courses.” Professor Pessina embraces student participation while ensuring that her classroom is supportive. One student writes, “[T]he most profound measure of Dr. Pessina’s excellence is her ability to maintain warmth, kindness, and humanity in an environment that can often feel emotionally demanding.”

Professor Pessina earned her BS in occupational therapy and PhD in anatomy and neurobiology from Boston University, and her MEd from Northeastern University. Prior to her appointment at BU, she gained experience at Massachusetts General Hospital treating patients with orthopedic, neurological, and burn injuries, and her current research focuses on upper extremity function following cortical injury. She is the former Director of Rehabilitation at Shriners Burns Institute and continues to work as an advocate for burn survivors. Her many honors include the Proctor & Gamble Outstanding Basic Sciences Faculty Award, and the Boston University Spencer N. Frankl Award for Excellence in Teaching.

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