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Occupational TherapyNewslink

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 FALL 2013

SPECIAL Pitt OT Welcomes New Faculty
POINT OF
INTEREST: Pediatric Research Therapy Program. Her research Health, National Institute for
focuses on several areas related to Child Health & Human
FOCUS ON In September 2013, the Depart- children with disabilities including: Development.
RESEARCH ment of Occupational Therapy at the relationships between daily
the University of Pittsburgh participation and disability Dr. Bendixen’s teaching
 New faculty welcomed Roxanna Bendixen, (pathophysiology, muscle strength contributions at the University
PhD, OTR/L. Roxanna graduated and functional ability); the influence will focus on pediatric content
 Impressive from the University of Florida of illness and disability on transi- at both the master’s and
presence at Hill with a degree in Occupational tions and quality of life as children doctoral levels.
Day Therapy and served as a pediatric mature into adolescence and
clinician for 5 years before re- adulthood (e.g., from high school to
 Current turning to the University of work or college); developing
research by Pitt Florida for her PhD in Rehabilita- channels to improve transition
faculty tion Sciences. Prior to assuming service delivery to children with
her position of Assistant disabilities and their families; and
INSIDE Professor at the University of how raising children with
THIS ISSUE: Pittsburgh, she was a Research disabilities affects families.
Assistant Professor at the
University of Florida and taught Dr. Bendixen’s current research is
in their Master in Occupational funded through a K01 award
through the National Institutes of

From the 2 *********
Chair...
Neurorehabilitation Transitioning from his position as mechanisms contributing to
Faculty 2 Research Assistant Professor at the Uni- upper extremity weakness and
Highlights versity of Texas Medical Branch, motor deficits in adults post-
For Amit Sethi, PhD, OTR/L, the Dr. Sethi became part of the Pitt stroke. He also has a keen
Goal Attain- 2 move to Pittsburgh represented Occupational Therapy faculty in interest in studying the inherent
not only a climate change but May 2013. Following baccalaure- complexity of human movement
ment Scaling also a change in time zones! ate training in his home country utilizing the tools of non-linear
of India, Dr. Sethi received his dynamics.
Student 3 Master’s Degree in Occupational
Spotlight Therapy from the University of Dr. Sethi’s current research
Wisconsin and his PhD in projects include identifying early
Student 3 Rehabilitation Sciences at the biomarkers for motor recovery
Successes University of Florida. post-stroke and developing novel
interventions for individuals with
Alumni 3 Dr. Sethi has extensive experi- severe upper extremity paresis
Spotlight ence in neurorehabilitation in after stroke.
multiple clinical settings. His
Research on 4 research interests include His teaching contributions to the
understanding the neurophysio- University will include neuro-
Cognition logical and biomechanical anatomy and neurorehabilitation
coursework at both the master’s
and doctoral levels.

PAGE 2 From the Chair...

Dr. Joan C. Rogers, In fiscal year 2013, approxi- of the research efforts of our High impact occupational therapy
Chair, Department mately $755 million was spent OT faculty, students and research cannot occur without
of Occupational on research conducted at the alumni. adequate funding. Dr. Elizabeth
Therapy University of Pittsburgh, with Skidmore’s recent successful
nearly 80 percent of this Through the addition of two application for R01 funding
amount assigned to research new faculty, we are now able through the National Center for
in the health sciences. With to expand the breadth and Medicine and Rehabilitation
Pitt ranked in the top 5 depth of our efforts in Research will enable the develop-
amongst Public Institutions for pediatric and neuro- ment of improved interventions
funding from the National rehabilitation research. for stroke-related cognitive
Institutes of Health, research is impairment.
an essential component of the Current faculty continues to
vision and mission of all engage in research that In summary, our research agenda
programs within the university, demonstrates the expert con- is stronger than ever! For more
including Occupational tributions of occupational information, please explore our
Therapy. therapy in both traditional and website at www.shrs.pitt.edu/
expanding roles including OT/ResearchSplash.aspx
This issue highlights just some interdisciplinary models of
care.

  Faculty Achievements

Margo B. Holm, PhD, Denise Chisholm, PhD, cation, presentations including Association Annual Conference .
OTR/L, FAOTA, OTR/L presented “Facilitating Interprofessional
ABDA, Professor Emeri- Learning at the Pre-Professional Pitt faculty make a strong pres-
ta, received a second Ful- “Developing a Threads- Level ” and “Interprofessional ence at the 2013 Pennsylvania
bright Award (she was a based Occupational Thera- Service Learning: A Novel Educa- Occupational Therapy Association
Fulbright Scholar to the py Curriculum” and Mary tional Model ” were presented by Annual Conference with peer-
University of Jordan in Pamela Toto, PhD, OTR/L at reviewed presentations by
2010). Dr. Holm was Lou Leibold, PhD, OTR/L the Association of Schools of Joanne Baird, PhD, OTR/L,
appointed to the Fulbright and Nancy Baker, ScD, Allied Health Professions Annual Nancy Baker, ScD, OTR/L,
Specialist Program roster, OTR/L presented “Maximizing Meeting in Nashville, TN. Denise Chisholm, PhD,
which will allow her to Clinic Readiness through Class- OTR/L, Gail Clakeley, OTR/L,
consult to international room Learning ” at the AOTA Joanne Baird, PhD, OTR/L is Mary Lou Leibold, PhD,
countries or institutions Education Summit in Atlanta, the Conference Program Co- OTR/L, Ketki Raina, PhD,
on occupational therapy GA. Chairperson for the 2013 Penn- OTR/L and Pamela Toto,
or rehabilitation science sylvania Occupational Therapy PhD, OTR/L.
research and educa- Embracing the conference
tion. The United States theme of Interprofessional Edu-
Department of State will
work with Dr. Holm to Goal Attainment Scaling in Primary Care
match her with two coun-
tries/institutions over the While client-centered goal investigating the use of goal follow-up, participants were
setting has long been the attainment scaling with asked to rate their current
next 5 years. cornerstone of occupational medically complex older performance of those goals.
therapy practice, other adults who receive services 96% of participants were able
healthcare professionals are through a multidisciplinary to set goals and 100% were
quickly recognizing the benefits geriatric center. able to rate their performance.
of this approach to chronic Significant improvement in goal
disease management with old- Using a semi-structured attainment was observed from
er adults. interview administered by an baseline to follow-up.
occupational therapist,
A pilot grant from the UPMC/ participants were asked to set Results of this study may
University of Pittsburgh Aging a minimum of 2 personal, influence the approach to care
Institute has enabled Pamela activity-based goals that and further define potential
Toto, PhD, OTR/L to related to their health and roles for occupational therapy
complete a feasibility study well-being. At a 6-8 week in primary care.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3

Student Spotlight: Advocating for Research

On September 30, 2013, 24 second  Medicare Part B Capitation Olack, Rachel Rogers, Jamie
year MOT students from the Uni- Sardineer, Kirstyn Scar-
versity of Pittsburgh and OT faculty  IDEA Funding Cuts borough, Juliet Shalon, and
Pam Toto and Denise Chisholm Bre Sunday spoke with their
made the 4+ hour trek to  OTs as Mental Health Representatives and Senators
Washington, D.C. to advocate for (covering seven states), and
occupational therapy as part of Providers shared their message about the
AOTA’ s annual “Hill Day”. importance of access and funding
 Research Funding Support by for occupational therapy services
In a crowded room of over 700 and research.
occupational therapy practitioners NIH
and students, Pitt students Kristen Brant, Mariah Chew, Faculty commended the
prepared for the day with a review Beth Cooke, Ali Damico, Kinjal students’ effort and
of key focus areas for this year’s Desai, Amanda Farr, Dan commitment to the
advocacy “assault”. These issues Flagg, Gloria Fuller, Tara occupational therapy
included: Garvin, Aubrey Graham, Mon- profession.
ica Grieco, Amanda Griffith,
Alyssa Gruhn, Jen Halterman,
Johanna Keiper, Julie Lane, Liz
Mackay, Melissa Matis, Becki

Students Making News

At the 2013 POTA Annual Confer- short course, “Glaucoma Research: Student Healthcare Entrepreneurship
ence in November, MOT students Exploring Quality of Life and Competition, MOT student Johanna
Kristen Brant, Ali Damico, and Participation”. Keiper and her team presented
Amanda Griffith are co- “Navity” at
presenting the poster “Combat- MOT students Jocelyn Kuleck, the 12th annu-
Related Posttraumatic Stress Gloria Fuller, Ali Damico, and al 1st Look
Disorder: The Battle to Return to Melissa Jenkins led UPSOTA’s Technology
Civilian Life”; MOT student successful co-sponsorship of the Showcase in
Melissa Matis is co-presenting the 2nd Annual Schenley Shuffle 5K Fun Pittsburgh on
short course, “Client-Centered Run on September 20, 2013. October 2,
Goal Setting with Older Adults.” Proceeds benefitted the Open Your 2013.
PhD student Heather Livengood Heart to a Senior Heart of Gold
MS, OTR/L is presenting the Fund. Keiper (right) with teammates
Andrew Wolf and Nahom Beyene
As finalists in the 2013 Wells

Alumni Spotlight: Laura Waterstram

As a new staff member in the Depart- providing services in home health and
ment of Occupational Therapy at the skilled nursing facilities.
University of Pittsburgh, MOT alumna
Laura Waterstram effectively juggles a In her current role, Laura manages the
number of hats. A graduate from the day to day functions, including staff and
University of Pittsburgh MOT Class of student supervision, for Dr. Elizabeth
2009, this senior occupational therapist Skidmore in the OT Cognitive
serves as both a lab manager and study Performance Laboratory. Simultaneously,
coordinator for several research Laura also serves as the study
projects. coordinator for both the GUIDE and
ADAPTS studies.
Prior to her return to Pitt, Laura began
her occupational therapy career at Prior to entering the field of OT, Laura
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in was a research assessor and study
Sewickley, PA. She then transitioned to coordinator in the University’s
Department of Epidemiology.

Department of Occupational Therapy Mission

 Educate students to practice and become
leaders in evidence-based occupational
therapy in a variety of settings

 Engage in research to advance the practice
of occupational therapy

 Contribute to the profession and the com-
munity through service, participation, and
research

University of Pittsburgh

Department of Occupational Therapy

5012 Forbes Tower

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Phone: 412-383-6620

Fax: 412-383-6613 Please contact us with changes to your email or address.

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/OT/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PittOccupationalTherapy

R01: Cognitive Disability After Stroke

One-third to one-half of acute program - Adapting Daily Activity secondary aim of this study is to
strokes result in newly acquired Performance Through Strategy explore changes in higher cognitive
cognitive impairments. Stroke-related Training after Stroke (ADAPTS) - that order operations attributed to
cognitive impairments are associated can be delivered during acute ADAPTS.
with significant functional disability, as rehabilitation. ADAPTS teaches
indicated by the inability to regain individuals with stroke-related Dr. Skidmore’s research addresses
independence in daily activities. This cognitive impairments to identify and critical gaps in current rehabilitation
loss of independence is costly because prioritize problematic daily activities, research by examining the efficacy of
individuals with stroke-related identify the barriers impeding activity a novel intervention approach for
cognitive impairments require more performance, generate and evaluate promoting independence in individu-
rehabilitation and more resources to strategies to address these barriers, als with stroke-related cognitive
support their living than individuals and generalize their learning through impairments. Additionally, this
who sustain stroke without cognitive iterative practice. Thus, ADAPTS research will examine intervention-
impairments. Drawing upon this teaches a process that can be applied driven improvements in underlying
background and rationale, Elizabeth to “real-life” activities long after cognitive operations to help clarify
Skidmore, PhD, OTR/L, has rehabilitation is completed. behavioral and biological mechanisms
successfully received five year funding of change for investigation in future
through an R01 from the National The primary aim of this randomized studies.
Center for Medicine and controlled trial is to examine the
Rehabilitation Research. efficacy of ADAPTS for promoting These efforts allow for the testing of
Dr. Skidmore’s research examines the independence among adults with new models to support optimal
efficacy of a new and innovative stroke-related cognitive impairments interventions for individuals with
engaged in acute rehabilitation. The stroke-related cognitive impairments.