NewsLink Spring 2016

Occupational Therapy Newslink

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2016
Presidential Excellence
SPECIAL
POINTS OF Elizabeth Skidmore, Dr. Skidmore was nominated for
INTEREST: the U.S. Presidential Early Career
PhD, OTR/L, Award on behalf of the National
The U.S. News & Center for Medical Rehabilitation
World FAOTA, associate Research, a center within the
National Institutes of Health that
Report has professor and chair at fosters and advances interdiscipli-
recently ranked nary rehabilitation research.
the University of Pitts-
the The early career awards were
burgh Department of established in 1996 to
University of acknowledge innovative research
Pittsburgh Occupational Therapy at the frontiers of science and tech-
nology and to honor commitment
Occupational recently received the to community service as demon-
Therapy strated through scientific leader-
Program US Presidential Early ship, public education, or communi-
ty outreach.
as #4 in the Career Award for Dr. Skidmore (center and front row) receives a
Scientists and Engineers. surprise celebration from OT students and faculty As the first occupational therapist
United States. This award is the highest to receive this award, Dr. Skidmore
stands out as a member of a very
honor bestowed by the United Dr. Skidmore’s research focuses on select group of rehabilitation
States government on science cognitive impairment and mood professionals ever to receive this
and engineering professionals in changes after acquired brain injury. honor.
the early stages of their inde- Dr. Skidmore obtained her PhD
pendent research career. from the University of Pittsburgh in

2003. Since that time, she has accu-

mulated an impressive record of

55 peer–reviewed publications and

19 grants for which she served as

INSIDE primary investigator or co-
THIS ISSUE:
investigator.

From the 2 In Memoriam: Dr. Caroline Brayley
Chair...

Faculty 2
Highlights
On February 29, 2016 the Uni- In 1982, she was recruited to the
AOTF Grant 2 versity of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh to be-
occupational therapy community come the founding chair of the
Student 3 lost an ardent supporter and occupational therapy program. In
Spotlight 3 dear friend. this role, she laid the foundation
3 for a world class program until
Student 4 Caroline Brayley, PhD, OTR/L, her retirement in 1993.
Successes FAOTA earned her Bachelor of
Science degree in occupational In 2015, Dr. Brayley cemented Dr. Brayley will be greatly missed
Alumni therapy from the University of her legacy to the university and by her friends, colleagues, and
Spotlight New Hampshire, her Master of the profession with the establish- former students.
Education degree from SUNY ment of the Caroline Robinson
OT at the Buffalo and her Doctor of Philos- Brayley Student Enrichment
Warhol ophy degree from the University Fund. The funds are designated
of Pittsburgh. for student enrichment.

PAGE 2 From the Chair...

Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore, Our view of our “self” shapes our thoughts, our actions, and our contributions. The authors of the Centennial
Chair, Department of Vision crafted the vision to re-shape our profession’s “self” view – from a “nice group of people doing good
Occupational Therapy work” to a “powerful and widely recognized” profession. In the last few months I have interacted with a number
of national and international leaders in practice, in research, in education, and in policy. Occupational therapy
practitioners are not only among these leaders, but we are more and more influential in each of these arenas
because of our distinct expertise.

In the spirit of “widely recognized,” I am pleased to announce that the University of Pittsburgh is now
ranked #4 in the U. S. News World Report reputational rankings of occupational therapy graduate pro-
grams. Our jump in rankings is testimony that within our “powerful and widely recognized profession,” our col-
leagues in occupational therapy programs nationwide recognize the University of Pittsburgh as one of the top
institutions for occupational therapy education, training, and research.

This recognition is meaningful, and a natural outflow of the strategic body of work that we have been accomplish-
ing together – students, alumni, staff, and faculty in collaboration with our clinical, academic, and scientific part-
ners. As we look to the future, we must build on what we have started, ex-
panding the depth and breadth of our current and future work. I count it a
privilege to be engaged in this important journey with each of you!

Faculty Achievements

Amit Sethi, PhD, OTR/L Pamela Toto, PhD, OTR/L Recent Publications:
received a grant from the Inno- presented an interactive lab,
vation Institute, University of “Adaptive Equipment to Promote Terhorst, L, Holm, MB, Toto,
Pittsburgh (through NSF- Aging in Place” to University of PE, & Rogers, JC. (In Press). Per-
ICROS) for I-HITS, which is a Pittsburgh School of Medicine formance-based impairment
system to improve hand func- students and UPMC Geriatric measures as predictors of early-
tion after stroke. Medicine faculty and staff. stage activity limitations in commu-
nity-dwelling older adults. Journal of
Roxanna Bendixen, PhD, In her role as an AOTA Board of Aging and Health.
OTR/L received a grant from Director, Denise Chisholm,
the Foundation to Eradicate PhD, OTR/L hosted Board to Rodakowski, J, Reynolds III, CF,
Duchenne for her study, “Use Classroom sessions to OT Lopez, OL, Butters, MA, Dew, MA,
of Microsoft Bands as an Out- students at Xavier University, Skidmore, ER. (In Press). Devel-
come Measure in Boys with Cincinnati, OH and Ithaca oping a non-pharmacological inter-
DMD – Parallel Study to Clin- University, Ithaca, NY. vention for individuals with mild
ical Study Protocol VBP15-003.” cognitive impairment. Journal of Ap-
plied Gerontology.

AOTF Intervention Grant

Juleen Rodakowski, OTD, pations. The emotional and itate problem
MS, OTR/L was awarded the physical demands of caregiving solving over the
Intervention Research Grant often contribute to caregivers course of daily
by the American Occupational experiencing burden. Caregiv- activities. The
Therapy Foundation (AOTF). ers with burden are at-risk for long-term goal
Her study will examine care- poor health and a heightened for this project
giver and care-recipient re- risk of mortality. This is likely, is to establish
sponse to an occupation-based in turn, to negatively impact an effective rehabilitation inter-
intervention. Individuals with care-recipient quality of life. vention that promotes caregiver
disabilities often rely heavily on The proposed study refines an health and well-being, which ulti-
unpaid family caregivers to occupation-based intervention mately influences care-recipient
help perform necessary occu- that teaches caregivers to facil- health.

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3 PAGE 3

Student Spotlight: Emily Kringle

For PhD student Emily Kringle, ment from her mentor at UND, high quality mentorship in Dr. Sonia Zimmerman and Emily (R)
MOT, OTR/L, the path to success Dr. Sonia Zimmerman, she went on the OT department. Her
all began in Cokato, Minnesota - a to serve as the National PTE Vice research interests include
one stoplight town with plenty of President and then President. Dur- neurorehabilitation, engage-
cornfields. After graduating from ing her tenure as National PTE ment in rehabilitation pro-
the University of North Dakota President, Emily had the oppor- grams, and diverse popula-
(UND) in 2010, Emily practiced for tunity to sit on the Board of Trus- tions. Emily describes Pitt as
five years in inpatient rehabilitation tees for the American Occupational “a fantastic place to grow as
before deciding to pursue a career Therapy Foundation. This experi- an OT scientist!”
in research. ence exposed her to the im-
portance of establishing a program In recognition of her efforts, Emily was hon-
While an MOT student, Emily was of research to support occupational ored at the American Occupational Therapy
the Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) therapy practice. Emily decided to Association annual conference with the
President of her local PTE chapter pursue her PhD at Pitt because of AOTF Meritorious Service Award.
(Kappa Chapter). With encourage- the strong research programs and Congratulations to Emily!

Students Making News Brianna Garcia (MOT ‘17)
received the Procter & Gamble
HSF Scholarship.

Kristen Kowalski (MOT ‘17), ina Congeni, Brianna Garcia, 1st year MOT students Leah
received the Stanley Prostrednik Kasey Gehlhaus, Alexandra
Health Sciences Scholarship. Gruner, Madeline Iannamorel- McCarthy, Kristen Kowalski,
Kristen will be working with an li, Amy Katz, Catherine Leece,
occupational therapist in Auckland, Stephanie Lewis, Leah McCar- Kasey Gehlhaus, Annah
New Zealand in an Inclusion thy, Steven Paciga, Elise Pure,
Support Centre for children with Kaitlyn Rankin, Jordan Shoup, Greaber, Sarah Arndt, Alyssa
physical and cognitive disabilities. Hannah Simko, Amelia Szabat,
Lauren White, and Cameron Dezulovich, Jess Ellenberger,
Robert Evans (MOT, ’17) was Williams were inducted into the
selected as a fellow for The QIT Beta Tau Chapter of Pi Theta Epsi- Lauren White, Hannah Pitt MOT students Luree Miller, Jamie
Health Innovators Fellowship of the lon, the national honor society for Pugh designed and implement- Crisman, Jessica Ellenberger, Brianna Garcia
Jewish Healthcare Foundation. occupational therapy students, on ed a program at four local and Garrett Bowers put their super sensory
February 24, 2016. YMCAs for the United Way Be powers on display at the Heroiks Superstroll
MOT students Kristen Bianco,
Samantha Chamberlin, Seraf- My Neighbor Day on March 19,

2016. Students taught children and their

families how to “be a good neighbor” to

persons with disabilities.

Alumni Spotlight: Lauren Rizio

Lauren Rizio, MOT, OTR/L (‘15) hails as ICU, medical intensive care ICU, burn Lauren reports that the Lauren Rizio (R) with a client.
the first Pitt OT graduate to participate in unit, general medicine, general sur- curriculum at Pitt prepared
the AOTA Residency program. Lauren gery, neurology, and oncology), Lauren her well for this experi-
pursued a residency opportunity because appreciates the exposure and training ence. In particular, she
she wanted more specialized and ad- with a diverse, medically complex pop- notes her training in client-
vanced training as a way of enhancing her ulation. She also enjoys the weekly centered care and occupa-
clinical reasoning and practice. "specialty practice" - during which they tion-based practice as be-
have opportunities to work with vari- ing paramount to her
Lauren is currently at the University of ous health care providers. Lauren has- success.
Chicago Medical Center. She chose this observed open heart surgery, plastic
site because of its broad range of special- surgery, and participated in an outpa- As for the future, Lauren’s plans are
ty services and the therapy department’s tient cardiac clinic. She feels these ex- undecided but likely include staying
early mobility program in ICUs. Her periences have opened her eyes to in the Windy City that has quickly
favorite part of the residency is the fact what patients experience throughout become her “home”.
that residents rotate through 8 different their continuum of care.
services (orthopedics, cardiothoracic

Thank You For Your Support

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Occupational Therapy would like to thank all those
who have generously donated to our programs in 2015

Joanne Merante Baird Robin L. Gries Ketki D. Raina
Caroline Robinson Brayley Benjamin J. Gross Paul A. & Judith T. Rockar
Joyce R. Broadwick Razan Hamed Juleen L. Rodakowski
Joseph F. & Donna L. Brosky Margo B. Holm Joan C. Rogers
Kent Burkett & Mary Beth Ventorini-Burkett Christine Jackson Elizabeth A. Schlenk
Mark & Denise Chisholm Sudong Kang Elizabeth R. Skidmore
James C. & Charlotte Lynne Clements Patricia Kummick Mary Jo Smith
Ellen R. Cohn David A. & Georgann Lombardi Terrence W. & Joanne H. Starz
Deirdre R. Dawson Kelly A. McCarron Jessie M. Van Swearingen
Richard S. & Mrs. Rhoda E. Dorfzaun Douglas A. Mickey Gary & Wendy L. Toplak
Laura K. Ebbert Eric P. & Cari McNelis Miller James & Pamela Ellen Toto
Stephanie R. Emert Ann M. Mitchell John Edward & Chantelle Bowers Voyack
Cynthia F. Epstein Donna G. Nativio Christopher & Emily Sue Walker
Louise Fawcett James F. & Carleen S. Neher Laura F. Waterstram
Susan Stolzer Fishbach Anne Pascasio Katherine Wyko
Eugene V. & Marcia L. Patterson

University of Pittsburgh Department of Occupational Therapy
5012 Forbes Tower
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-383-6620
Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/OT/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PittOccupationalTherapy

Please contact us with changes to your email address.

A “Sense-ational” Event at the Warhol

MOT students Jessica Ellen- Pitt student, Pitt faculty, Chatham students and program included gallery experiences and discus-
berger, Robert Evans, Bri- coordinator, Leah Morelli, at the Warhol sions focused on identifying emotions
anna Garcia, Lurie Miller, based on facial expressions and creating
Hannah Pecyna and Megan resources and suggestions for sensory art through dance. Participants also had
Shaffer (MOT ’17), along with regulation. Each MOT student was paired the opportunity to express themselves
faculty representatives Dr. with a teen or young adult, along with his or artistically through crafting an acetate
Roxanna Bendixen and Ms. her family caregiver, to actively engage and collage and silkscreen print. Ms. Leah
Angela Caldwell, recently par- explore Andy Warhol’s artwork. Activities Morelli, Program Coordinator, and other
ticipated in a sensory-friendly Warhol staff expressed that the learning
program at the Andy Warhol objectives were not only met, but that
Museum. This event was designed the experiential learning activities exceed-
specifically for teens and young ed their expectations. The feedback from
adults with autism spectrum the families was extremely positive. This
disorders and sensory community partnership, which included
sensitivities. Students played an MOT students from Chatham University,
essential role in the needs will continue through additional museum
assessment, development, and events planned for the remainder of the
implementation of this sensory- year. The provision of valuable occupa-
friendly event, and gave of their time, tional therapy expertise to enhance muse-
energy and enthusiasm. um experiences fosters leadership in the
students by allowing them to apply their
MOT students, in collaboration with knowledge of sensory processing and
the museum staff, provided special autism spectrum disorders while gaining
accommodations during this event invaluable experience advocating for ac-
such as adaptations of learning activi- cessibility in the arts.
ties, development of quiet areas, and