Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Ricardo C. Carrasco

This feature is part of UP CAMP’s Alumni Spotlight Series, highlighting the recipients of the CAMP Luminary Awards. Awarded during the College’s Foundation Month celebrations in November 2025, the CAMP Luminary Awards recognize alumni whose exceptional achievements and service have advanced their professions and created meaningful impact in society.

Among the awardees is Dr. Ricardo C. Carrasco, recipient of the CAMP Luminary Award for Global Impact – North America, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to occupational therapy education, occupational science, and international professional leadership.

Dr. Carrasco’s professional journey has spanned education, business, healthcare, and scholarship, united by a lifelong belief in the transformative power of purposeful occupation. A graduate of UP CAMP’s Occupational Therapy program in 1978, he credits the mentorship of the late Mrs. Charlotte Floro for inspiring his early involvement in international professional activities and shaping his commitment to global engagement.

Throughout his career, Dr. Carrasco has advanced occupational therapy practice, education, and scholarship across the Philippines and the United States. He has held leadership roles in professional organizations, contributed to the development of pediatric and community-based programs, and maintained strong ties with the Philippine occupational therapy community. Most recently, he co-authored the occupational science chapter in the first Filipino occupational therapy textbook, helping strengthen the profession’s local knowledge base.

His scholarly contributions include numerous presentations, keynote addresses, journal publications, and editorial work in occupational therapy and occupational science. He has also served as a reviewer for international journals and conference proceedings and founded the journal OCCUPATION at Nova Southeastern University. His influence on the profession has been recognized through some of the highest honors in occupational therapy, including the Roster of Fellows and the Award of Merit from the American Occupational Therapy Association, as well as the Louise Samson Award and David Clark Award of Excellence from the Florida Occupational Therapy Association.

Beyond occupational therapy, Dr. Carrasco has promoted the therapeutic and cultural value of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. As an ikebana headmaster, he has led international research collaborations exploring its role in leisure, wellness, and spirituality, further expanding the application of occupational science to diverse communities around the world.

UP CAMP proudly celebrates Dr. Carrasco’s remarkable contributions to occupational therapy, occupational science, and global professional leadership, and his enduring commitment to advancing meaningful occupation as a pathway to health, well-being, and human flourishing.