The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) at UAB held their first 5k February 4, 2012 to raise on money to assist students in the program with scholarships, attendance of the annual national conference, and to help support community organizations. Click here for the full article on UAB’s website.
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – David A. Brown, P.T., Ph.D., a leading expert on physical therapy and rehabilitation, is the inaugural director of the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program in the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The program, housed jointly in the departments of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, will prepare graduates for the field of rehabilitation as academicians and scientists.
“Rehabilitation science is a rather new discipline, and we want to be on its forefront,” said Jan Rowe, Dr. OT, interim chair of Occupational Therapy. “Considering his national reputation and proven track record in scientific inquiry, Dr. Brown’s vision will help position UAB as a leader in this field.”
Brown has nearly 20 years experience as a physical therapy educator and 15 years working as a clinical physical therapist — the past 13 at Northwestern University. His research focuses on locomotor and balance dysfunction in people with neurological impairments. He is the founder of KineaDesign, LLC, a research, development and engineering design firm specializing in human-interactive mechatronics.
“Dr. Brown’s research complements the department’s initiatives for improving outcomes for people with neurological deficits and will provide excellent research opportunities for the students,” said Sharon Shaw, P.T., DrPH, chair of Physical Therapy.
Brown is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Society of Neuroscience, International Gait and Posture Research Society and Society of Neural Control of Movement.
He earned his doctoral degree in exercise science from the University of Iowa, master’s degree in physical therapy from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from The University of Rochester.
For more information on the Rehabilitation Science program, visit www.uab.edu/rsphd.
About UAB School of Health Professions
The University of Alabama at BirminghamSchool of Health Professions is one of the largest health professions schools in the nation with more than 20 innovative programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degree levels within five departments. Several SHP programs consistently rank in the top 25 of U.S. News & World Report and rank at the top for research funding from the National Institute of Health. For more information on SHP, visit www.uab.edu/shp.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a separate, independent institution from the University of Alabama, which is located in Tuscaloosa. Please use University of Alabama at Birmingham on first reference and UAB on second reference.
]]>Overseeing this new program and serving as Medical Director for United Cerebral Palsy is Dr. Charlie Law, who has practiced medicine at Children’s Hospital and UAB for 14 years and worked as the director of rehabilitation services. He is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is one
of only two physicians in Alabama with board certification in Pediatric and Adult Rehabilitation. His practice relocated to the main campus of UCP off Lakeshore Drive on September 12, 2011.
Dr. Law is “excited to join UCP, not just because of the emphasis on excellent physical medicine and rehabilitation services, but also because of the opportunity to build and sustain lifelong relationships with the children and adults we’ll serve. Meeting physical needs is very important, but understanding and addressing the emotional challenges faced by individuals with disabilities is crucial as well.”
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at UCP offers a variety of specialized services focused on providing comprehensive and coordinated care that reduce symptoms caused by motor disabilities. These services include evaluation and diagnostics, pain management, spasticity management, orthotics and prosthetics, outpatient therapy (physical, occupational, speech, augmentative communication and assistive technology) and care coordination.
UCPGB is excited about the opportunity for specialized healthcare services that this new program provides. A valuable and important addition to the continuum of services for individuals with special needs, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department provides a new level of care and service to children and adults with special needs.
For more information or to make a referral, simply call (205) 944-3944.
Also, you may visit www.ucpbham.com and click on the “Our Programs” button. By clicking on the Health and Wellness Program link, you can view additional information about the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program and download a program brochure.
]]>THE ELSIE HOLMES MCKIBBIN LECTURESHIP
Kathleen T. Foley, PhD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Email: ktfoley@uab.edu
Doctoral Degree in Higher Education, Indiana University, 2007
Master of Science in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University, 2002
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, 1988
Foley joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham occupational therapy faculty as an Assistant Professor in July, 2006. She also serves as the program Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator. Her teaching responsibilities in the entry-level program include the history and theory of
occupations and the adult and older adult practice courses. In addition, Foley is a course instructor in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program and a co-instructor in the Health Care Management undergraduate curriculum within the School of Health Professions.
THE ALOTA OTR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Tammy Gipson, MS, OTR/L
I graduated from UAB with a Bachelor of Science specialty in Occupational Therapy in 1991, began practice as an OT in Clearwater, Florida at
Healthsouth Rehabilitation, and after 5 years returned to Alabama and resumed practice as an OT at Huntsville Hospital. There I was fortunate to get supported for training in Vodder technique for Lymphedema treatment. I specialized in lymphedema treatment for cancer survivors and worked in conjunction with American Cancer Society and Huntsville Hospital in beginning a stretch program for clients post mastectomy.
THE ALOTA COTA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Rodney Scott, COTA
I graduated from Wallace state in 2005 with honors. I was the vice president of my class. I chose geriatrics as my career path. I have worked at Rehab First McGuffey Healthcare since December 2005. I have worked PRN at Northside Healthcare and Albertville Healthcare since graduation.
ALOTA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Hanley, OTS
Emily Amanda Hanley is a second year student at the University of South Alabama Occupational Therapy program. After graduating from
Purdue University she moved from Indianapolis, IN in the fall of 2010 following a wonderful summer where she married the love of her life Martin Hanley and joined him on his adventure in the United States Navy. She drives a scenic commute daily from Pensacola to Mobile with her car mates Ashley and Princess.
THE ELSIE HOLMES MCKIBBIN LECTURESHIP
Kathleen T. Foley, PhD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Email: ktfoley@uab.edu
Doctoral Degree in Higher Education, Indiana University, 2007
Master of Science in Instructional Systems Technology, Indiana University, 2002
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, 1988
Foley joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham occupational therapy faculty as an Assistant Professor in July, 2006. She also serves as the program Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator. Her teaching responsibilities in the entry-level program include the history and theory of
occupations and the adult and older adult practice courses. In addition, Foley is a course instructor in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program and a co-instructor in the Health Care Management undergraduate curriculum within the School of Health Professions.
A native of Massachusetts, Foley has worked in staff and leadership positions in the rehabilitation arena with extensive experience in
the neurorehabilitation of adults and older adults. She has held adjunct and part-time faculty positions in both Massachusetts and Indiana and has presented at the state and national level on a variety of topics. She authored the introduction to the Self-Paced Clinical Course on neurorehabilitation in Dementia and was an item writer for the national occupational therapy certification exam. As a Center for Aging
Scientist and Affiliated Investigator at the Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center her research interests include
improving function in older adults. Recently, she received intramural grant funding to investigate toileting disparities among older Black residents in skilled nursing facilities.
Active in state and national professional organizations, Foley was past membership chair of the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association
and President of the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association. Currently, she is the Alabama delegate to the American Occupational Therapy Association Representative Assembly.
THE ALOTA OTR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Tammy Gipson, MS, OTR/L
I graduated from UAB with a Bachelor of Science specialty in Occupational Therapy in 1991, began practice as an OT in Clearwater, Florida at
Healthsouth Rehabilitation, and after 5 years returned to Alabama and resumed practice as an OT at Huntsville Hospital. There I was fortunate to get supported for training in Vodder technique for Lymphedema treatment. I specialized in lymphedema treatment for cancer survivors and worked in conjunction with American Cancer Society and Huntsville Hospital in beginning a stretch program for clients post mastectomy. I changed my area of practice after having my daughter (Allie) and began working in long-term care facilities secondary to the schedule flexibility that was available. I found a love for the geriatric client and embraced practice in a long-term care facility even when dealing with the nightmares of PPS. During that time period, I was also blessed with a wonderful son (Lukas). In 2004, I decided I was ready for a change in my area of practice. I began pursuing a post professional Master’s Degree at UAB with a specialty in Low Vision Rehabilitation. While completing my Masters I decided to join Wallace State in 2005 as the OTA Program Director. I found working as OTA program director to be one of the most exciting and difficult jobs I had ever had. I completed my Masters in December of 2007, with my research focus on the role of the OTA in low vision rehabilitation. I utilized the knowledge I gained from the wonderful instructors at UAB to begin an online continuing education for OTAs in the area of low vision rehabilitation. Every day I feel excited and challenged to work with the students we have in the WSCC OTA Program. I have experienced many exciting challenges at WSCC and I believe that the more I think I know, the more I realize I need to learn. I do find that I love OT more and more each day, and my goal is to spread the passion for OT to the students that I instruct. I feel it is important for me to stay in practice as an OT, so I continue to work PRN at both home health agencies and long-term care facilities. I do know that the more I give back to occupational therapy the more I receive from it. I am very honored to receive the OT Award of Excellence, and I owe a debt of gratitude to all of my OT peers and particularly to Gail Hyatt, who continually helps me keep one foot on the ground.
THE ALOTA COTA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Rodney Scott, COTA
I graduated from Wallace state in 2005 with honors. I was the vice president of my class. I chose geriatrics as my career path. I have worked at Rehab First McGuffey Healthcare since December 2005. I have worked PRN at Northside Healthcare and Albertville Healthcare since graduation. I have mentored students, been a CI since 2006. I love my geriatric patients. I have the privilege of working with Valley Mccurry as my OTR, and Charla Maxwell as my associate COTA at Rehab First. I would like to thank them for all their support.
ALOTA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Hanley, OTS
Emily Amanda Hanley is a second year student at the University of South Alabama Occupational Therapy program. After graduating from
Purdue University she moved from Indianapolis, IN in the fall of 2010 following a wonderful summer where she married the love of her life Martin Hanley and joined him on his adventure in the United States Navy. She drives a scenic commute daily from Pensacola to Mobile with her car mates Ashley and Princess.
Currently, she holds a historian position in her program’s PTE group and is the SASOTA representative for her class. She is the daughter of Bill & Beth Ivers and a big sister to Ben, Nick, & Abigail. She has a passion for pediatrics and veterans and hopes to use her talents in the future for these populations. Emily enjoys walks on the beach, dates with her husband, and skype calls with her family and friends. She would like to thank all of those who have provided her with encouragement and strength in the program and throughout her educational career including her family, friends, classmates, the professors of University of South Alabama and above all God.
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