OT News
PITT PROUD! The University of Pittsburgh MOT program is one of the TOP 10 OT Programs in the Nation! According to US News & World Report . . . the University of Pittsburgh’s OT Program is #9 in the Nation . . . and PITT is the first ranked school in Pennsylvania!
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New Faculty and Staff
The Department of Occupational Therapy is pleased to welcome several new faculty and staff!
Joanne Baird, MA, OTR/L joined us as an Assistant Professor. In addition to teaching courses in neurorehabilitation, she serves as the CRS Coordinator of Clinical Education and Professional Development. Ms. Baird comes to UPitt from Beverly Healthcare/Aegis Therapies, where she was a Program Manager.
Min-Mei Shih, PhD, OTR/L, a recent graduate of our doctoral program in rehabilitation science, is employed as a Postdoctoral Associate, working with Dr, Margo Holm on studies involving functional outcomes for individuals with stroke or major depression. Dr. Shih also serves as a Research Associate for the grant Stroke outcomes in patients assessed with telemedicine directed by Lawrence Wechsler, MD and Lori Massaro, CRNP in the Stroke Institute of UPMC. She co-teaches courses in single subject design with Dr. Margo Holm and neurobehavioral sciences with Joanne Baird and Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore.
Joanne Senick, MPH is a Research Assistant for Dr. Skidmore on her research examining the dynamic interactions among domains of neurobehavior and activities of daily living disability after stroke.
Krissy Moehling, MPH, CHES is the Research Project Coordinator for Dr. Nancy Baker’s studies research on carpal tunnel syndrome and alternative keyboards.
Students
Student Honors
Pitt MOT Students achieved the Silver Level of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) Student Membership Circle. To achieve the Silver Level, 85% of students must be members of AOTA - 93% of Pitt MOT students are members!
Student Representative (2008-2010), Commission on Education, Assembly of Student Delegates, American Occupational Therapy Association – Abbey Sipp. Abbey was elected from a national pool of candidates.
Student Awards and Scholarships
Scott Bleakley, doctoral candidate, received an SHRS dissertation grant for his proposal titled The effect of the Myomo upper extremity orthosis on kinematic performance of reach in adult stroke survivors.
Pi Theta Epsilon, Beta Tau Chapter – Betsy Boyce, Alisha Cousins, Cortney DiVito, Caitlin Feeney, Ellen Malinoski, Shelley McCauley, Renee McDade, Amanda Miller, Angela Pasquarelli, Sarah Petrus, Lori Sopko, Anne Marie Sweeney, Carla Tcruz, and Jeanna Thomas were inducted March 2009. Pi Theta Epsilon is the national honor society for occupational therapy students.
2009 Award of Scholarly Excellence, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh – Laura Waterstram for her scholastic achievement and scholarly excellence in research activities.
2009 Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Scholarship – Michelle Anderson.
2009 Jewish Healthcare Foundation Patient Safety Fellowship – Betsy Boyce, Natalie D’Angelo, Benjamin Gross and Melissa Stauffer.
2009 Interprofessional Student Competition, Advancing Interprofessional Student Education at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences – Benjamin Gross and Wikar Kadhim were members of the team selected as the 1st Runner Up.
2009 SHRS Poster Contest – Melissa Stauffer was the 2nd prize winner of the graduate category for her poster titled, Equine Assisted Therapy.
2009 Greek Room Committee Scholarship, Nationality Rooms, University of Pittsburgh – Melissa Stauffer. The scholarship will support her volunteer experience in the Experiential Learning International’s (ELI) Program in Greece.
2009 Fred C. Bruhns Memorial Award, Nationality Rooms, University of Pittsburgh – Wikar Kadhim. The scholarship will support his volunteer experience in the Experiential Learning International’s (ELI) Program in Jordan.
2008-2009 Jewish Healthcare Foundation Jonas Salk Fellowship – Michelle Anderson, Benjamin Gross, and Wikar Kadhim.
2009 Mary Minglen Memorial Scholarship, American Occupational Therapy Foundation – Abby Sipp.
2009 Anne Pascascio Scholarship, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences – Shelley McCauley.
2008 Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Scholarship – Amalie Andrew.
2008 SHRS Scholarship – Wikar Kadhim.
2008-2009 UPMC Endowed Scholarship –Sarah Petrus.
2008 Pitt Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship – Sarah Petrus. Sarah was featured on the cover of Alumni Connections, the Pitt Alumni Association's magazine.
2008 Ethel Beard Burstein Scholarship, American Occupational Therapy Foundation – Lori Lengyel.
2008 National AMBUCS scholarship – Jilliene Irwin.
2008 Reba M. Sebelist Scholarship, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association – Hannah Ritter and Laura Waterstram.
2008 Abe and Jean Comensky Memorial Scholarship, United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh – Benjamin Gross.
Student Presentations
Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, 31st Annual Conference, King of Prussia, PA
- Promoting Occupational Therapy through International Experiential Learning, Michelle Anderson, Stephanie Young and Drs. Ketki Raina and Denise Chisholm.
- The Cultural Impact on Disability in Tanzanian Children, Stephanie Young and Dr. Ketki Raina.
Student Service
PAC The House . . . The Distinguished Occupational Therapy Advocating Committee (DOTAC) of the University of Pittsburgh Student Occupational Therapy Association (UPSOTA) raised $575 for the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) with the PAC The House fundraising event. DOTAC was established by the men in the MOT Class of 2011.
Arthritis Walk, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, Arthritis Foundation – Courtney Baressi, Heidi Carpenter, Natalie D’Angelo, Susanne Hirsch, Julie Kearney, Ashley Keene, Amanda Miller, Lori Sopko, Melissa Stauffer, Anne Marie Sweeney, Kim Thomas, and John Willet.
School to Career Day, Oakland Planning and Development Corps – Betsy Boyce, Benjie Gross, and Caitlin Finney. The School to Career Day was held at Career Connections Charter High School of Pittsburgh for 10th through 12th grade students.
National Disability Day – Natalie D'Angelo, Benjamin Gross, Yu Yun Huang, Shelley McCauley, Amanda Miller, and Sarah Petrus.
Faculty
Honors
Dr. Nancy Baker, who joined our faculty in 2001, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. She teaches and conducts research on physical impairments and disabilities, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity associated with computer use. Dr. Baker was also elected to the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research. This prestigious honor recognizes occupational therapists who have made exemplary contributions toward the science of occupational therapy. Dr. Baker received this honor for her research involving worker’s health and the performance of work tasks.
Dr. Denise Chisholm, Vice-Chair and Admissions Coordinator, was promoted to Associate Professor. Dr. Chisholm is our resident expert in psychosocial occupational therapy. She initially joined the Department as a part-time instructor in 1994 and became full-time in 1998. In addition to her Departmental responsibilities, Dr, Chisholm is Co-Chair of the University's Community Relations Committee and Agenda Chair for the Representative Assembly of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Drs. Margo Holm and Elizabeth Skidmore received secondary academic appointments in the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, respectively.
Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore served as a member of the Technical Expert Panel and is presently representing the American Occupational Therapy Association on the Developing Outpatient Therapy Payment Alternatives (DOTPA) Project administered by the Research Triangle Institute, Inc. and funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Joanne Baird is representing the American Occupational Therapy Association on the Short Term Alternatives for Therapy Services Contract (STATS) Project administered by the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) and funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Joanne Baird and Mary Lou Leibold were selected by the American Occupational Therapy Association to be trainers for its newly developing Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program. Mary Lou Leibold authored 2 modules in the training materials.
Research/ Research Training Grants
Dr. Nancy Baker received a grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (R01-OH008961) to study The effect of alternative keyboards on discomfort and typing kinematics. She also received awards from the American College of Rheumatology, Research and Education Fund to study Limitations experienced by persons with rheumatoid arthritis during computer use, and from the Arthritis Foundation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, to conduct a randomized clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of lumbrical stretching on carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dr. Margo Holm received a Pitt Innovation in Education Award to assess student inter-observer reliability when using criterion-referenced clinical tools.
Drs. Margo Holm and Joan Rogers were awarded a contract to collect data on older adults, aged 71-85, as part of the NIH Toolbox initiative. They will be collecting data to validate the somatosensory measures.
Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore was awarded a K12 Career Development Award by the Comprehensive Opportunities for Rehabilitation Research and Training Program (K12HD-055931), jointly sponsored by Washington University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Delaware. Dr. Skidmore’s research examines the dynamic interactions among domains of neurobehavior and activities of daily living disability after stroke. Her grant titled, Examining cognitive and affective impairment influences on motor recovery after stroke, was funded by the Central Research Development Fund, University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Ketki Raina was awarded a grant from the Central Research Development Fund, University of Pittsburgh to study Experiences of living with a Ventricular Assist Device for destination therapy: Patients and caregivers perspectives.
Publications
Peer-reviewed articles:
2009
Baker, N. A., Cook, J., & Redfern, M. (2009) Rater reliability and concurrent validity of the Keyboard Personal Computer Style instrument (K-PeCS). Applied Ergonomics, 40, 136-144.
Baker, N. A., Rogers, J. C., Rubinstein, E. N., Allaire, S. H., & Wasko, M. C. (2009). Problems experienced by people with arthritis when using a computer. Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research), 61, 614-622.
Baker, N. A., & Redfern, M. (in press). Potentially problematic postures during worksite keyboard use. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
Bhalla, R. K., Butters, M. A., Becker, J. T., Houck, P. R., Snitz, B. E., Lopez, O. L., Aizenstein, H. J., Raina, K. D., DeKosky, S. T., Reynolds C. F. (2009). Patterns of mild cognitive impairment following treatment of depression in the elderly. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17, 308-316.
Chang, C. L., Skidmore, E. R., Weber, D. J., Niyonkuru, C., & Huber, L. M. (In press). Effect of baseline spastic hemiparesis on recovery of upper limb function following botulinum toxin A injections and post-injection therapy. Archive of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Lenze, E. J., Munin, M. C., Dew, M. A., Marin, R. S., Butters, M. A., Skidmore, E. R., Whyte, E. M., Begley, A. E., & Reynolds, C. F. (in press). Apathy after hip fracture: a potential target for intervention to improve functional outcomes. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences.
Mallinson, T., Fischer, H., Rogers, J. C., Ehrlich-Jones, L., & Change, R. (2009). Human occupational for public health promotion: New directions for occupational therapy practice with persons with arthritis. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63, 220-226.
Porensky, E. K., Dew, M. A., Karp, J. F., Skidmore, E.R., Rollman, B., Shear, M. K. & Lenze, E. J. (in press). The burden of late life generalized anxiety disorder: Effects on disability, health-related quality of life, and health care utilization. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Shih, M.-M., Rogers, J. C., Skidmore, E. R., Irrgang, J. J., & Holm, M. B. (in press). Measuring stroke survivors’ functional status independence: Five perspectives. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
Skidmore , E. R., Whyte, E. M., Becker, J. T., Holm, M. B., Butters, M. A., Dew, M. A., & Lenze, E. J.. (in press) Rehabilitation participation predicts functional outcome after stroke. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
2008
Baker, N. A., & Redfern, M. (2008). Discriminating between individuals with and without musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity by means of items related to computer keyboard use. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 18, 157-165.
Baker, N. A., & Sipp, A. L. (2008). The association between impairments due to rheumatoid arthritis and typing skills [Abstract]. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 59(9 supp), S643.
Chisholm, D., Rogers, J. C., Reynolds, C. F., & Holm, M. B. (2008). Disability in community-based older women with depression [Abstract]. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry,16(Suppl. 1), A-59.
Gildengers, A. G., Butters, M. A., Chisholm, D., Reynolds, III, C. F., & Mulsant, B. H. (2008). A 12-week open-label pilot study of donepezil for cognitive functioning and instrumental activities of daily living in late-life bipolar disorder. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23, 693-698.
Raina, K. D., Callaway, C., Rittenberger, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (2008) Neurological and functional status following cardiac arrest: Method and tool utility. Resuscitation, 79, 249-256.
Skidmore, E. R., Koenig, K. L., Munin, M. C., Whyte, E. M., O’Donnell, L., Penrod, L., & Lenze, E. J. (2008). Do clinical rehabilitation education programs really improve stroke-related knowledge? American Journal of Physical Rehabilitation & Medicine. 87, 637-641.
Vogt, M. T., Andrew, A., & Starz, T. W. (2007). Fibromyalgia: A distinct disease. The Female Patient, 32, 16-20.
Whyte, E. M., Lenze, E. J., Butters, M. A., Skidmore, E. R., Koenig, K., Dew, M. A., Penrod, L., Mulsant, B. H., Pollock, B. G., Cabacungan, L., Begley, A., Reynolds, C. F., & Munin, M. C. (2008). An open-label pilot study of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to promote functional recovery in elderly cognitively impaired stroke patients. Cerebrovascular Diseases, 26, 317-321.
2007
Baker, N. A., Cham, R., Cidboy, E., Cook, J., & Redfern, M. (2007). Kinematics of the fingers and hands during computer keyboard use. Clinical Biomechanics, 22, 34-43.
Baker, N. A., Cham, R., Cidboy, E., Cook, J., & Redfern, M. (2007). Digit kinematics during typing with standard and ergonomic keyboard configurations. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 37, 345-355.
Brininger T. L., Rogers, J. C., Holm, M. B, Baker, N. A., Li, Z-M., & Goitz, R. J. (2007). Efficacy of a fabricated customized splint and tendon and nerve gliding exercises for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 88, 1429-1435.
Cook, J., Baker, N. A., Cham, R., Cidboy, E., & Redfern, M. (2007). Measurements of wrist and finger postures: A comparison of goniometric and motion capture techniques. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 23, 70-78.
Crane, B., Holm, M. B., Hobson, D., Cooper, R. A., & Reed, M. P. (2007). Responsiveness of the TAWC tool for assessing wheelchair discomfort. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 2(2), 97-103.
Gildengers, A. G., Butters, M. A., Chisholm, D., Rogers, J. C., Holm, M. B., Bhalla, R. K., Seligman, K., Dew, M. A., Reynolds, III, C. F., Kupfer, D. J., & Mulsant, B. H. (2007). Cognitive functioning and instrumental activities of daily living in late-life bipolar disorder. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 174-179.
Koenig, K., Whyte, E. M., Munin, M. C., O’Donnell, L., Skidmore, E. R., Penrod, L., & Lenze, E. J. (2007). Stroke-related knowledge and health behaviors among post-stroke patients in inpatient rehabilitation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 88, 1214-1216.
Lenze, E. J., Munin, M. C., Skidmore, E. R., Dew, M. A., Rogers, J. C., Whyte, E. M., Quear, T., Begley, A., & Reynolds, C. F. (2007). Onset of depression in elderly persons after hip fracture: Implications of prevention and early intervention of late-life depression. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55, 81-86.
Lenze, E. J., Skidmore, E. R., Dew, M. A., Butters, M. A., Rogers, J. C., Begley, A. E., Reynolds, C. F., & Munin, M. C. (2007). Does depression, apathy, or cognitive impairment reduce the benefit of inpatient rehabilitation facilities for elderly hip fracture patients? General Hospital Psychiatry, 29, 140-146.
Raina, K. D., Rogers, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (2007). Influence of the environment on activity performance in older women with heart failure. Disability and Rehabilitation, 29, 545-57.
Rogers, J. C., Holm, M. B., & Starz, T. W. (2007). An internet-based wellness intervention for fibromyalgia: Statistical vs. clinical outcomes. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 56(9), S116.
Rogers, J. C., Holm, M. B., & Starz, T. W. (2007). Correlating pain medication use and pain severity. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 56(9), S532.
Skidmore, E. R., Rogers, J. C., Chandler, L. S., Tudor, J. G., & Holm, M. B. (2007). A precise method for linking neuroanatomy to function after stroke: A Pilot Study. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 14, 12-17.
Tomycz, N., Holm, M. B., Horowitz, M., Wechsler, L. R., Raina, K. D., Gupta, R., & Jovin, T. (2007). Extensive brainstem ischemia on neuroimaging does not preclude meaningful recovery from locked-in syndrome: Two cases of endovascularly managed basilar thrombosis. Journal of Neuroimaging, 17, 1-3.
Chapters
Holm, M. B., & Rogers, J. C. (2008). The Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (PASS). In B. Hemphill-Pearson (Ed.), Assessments in Occupational Therapy Mental Health (2nd ed., pp. 101-110).Thorofare, NJ: SLACK.
Rogers, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (2008). Role Change Assessment: An Interview Tool for Older Adults. In B. Hemphill-Pearson (Ed.), Assessments in Occupational Therapy Mental Health (2nd ed., pp. 49-57). Thorofare, NJ: SLACK.
Rogers, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (2008). The occupational therapy process. In E. B. Crepeau, E. S. Cohn & B. A. B. Schell (Eds.) Willard and Spackman's occupational therapy, 11th ed. (pp.478-513)., Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Presentations
Invited Presentations
4th Annual Acute Stroke Management Conference
- Life after Stroke Long-term Issues for Stroke Survivors, Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore
Peer-reviewed Conference Presentations
INTERNATIONAL
2nd International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics
- Developing an Instrument to Measure Keyboarding Style. The Keyboard Personal Computer Style instrument (K-PeCS), Baker, N. A. & Redfern, M.
NATIONAL
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, 89th Annual Conference, Houston, Texas
- Documenting postures during keyboard use that can discriminate between persons with and without musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity, Baker, N. A., & Redfern, M.
- How to understand and apply the results of a journal article - What you really need to know about statistics, Baker, N. A., & Eckel, E.
- Latest OT Research: Innovative Research And The Career Pathways Of Scientists, Rogers, J. C., & Skidmore, E. R. among others.
- Innovative empirical models for understanding fibromyalgia clinical subgroups, Breland, H., Holm, M.B., Rogers, J.C., & Starz, T.W.
- Differences in task independence of clients with left or right hemispheric strokes, Shih, M.-M. Skidmore, E. R., Rogers, J. C. & Holm, M. B.
- Developing Alternatives To The Medicare Outpatient Therapy Cap: An Overview Of Two Case Studies, Skidmore, E. R., among others.
ACR/ARHP 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting, Clinical Research Conference.
- The Association Between Impairments Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Typing Skills, Baker, N. A. & Sipp, A. L.
- Observational Studies of Non-Pharmacologic Interventions: Methods to Measure Performance, Baker, N. A.
- A model for understanding Fibromyalgia management outcomes: A pilot study, Breland, H., Holm, M.B., Rogers, J.C., & Starz
21st Annual American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Meeting
- Disability in Community-Based Older Women with Depression, Chisholm, D., Rogers, J. C., Reynolds III, C. F., & Holm, M. B.
STATE
Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, 31st Annual Conference, King of Prussia, PA
- Yes, You can be a Presenter, Baird, J. M. & Kanics, I.
- Professional Advancement: Talk to the Expert, Baird, J. M., Colaianni, D, Lantz, J., & Hellestead, S.
- Evidence, Practice and Professional Development: Making the Connection, Dolhi, C. & Chisholm, D.
- Fieldwork Challenges & Opportunities, Leibold, M. L. & Stuart, A.
- Potential Use of MAC Line Quality to Guide Intervention, Abu-Dahab, S., & Holm, M. B.
- Comparing Impacts of Left and Right Hemispheric Strokes on ADL, Shih, M. M., Holm, M. B., Skidmore, E. R., & Rogers, J. C.
- The Influence of Environment in Older Women with Depression, Holm, M. B., Hamed, R., & Rogers, J. C.
Professional service
'By invitation:' Healthcare policy
American Occupational Therapy Association representative, Short Term Alternatives to the Outpatient Therapy System (STATS) Group, to discuss alternatives to the current Medicare therapy payment system, Joanne Baird.
Consensus on Outcomes for Resuscitation Science Conference sponsored by the American Heart Association, Post-discharge Short-term and Long-term Outcomes, Dr. Margo Holm.
Promoting Generalization in Stroke Rehabilitation, NIH Workshop, Dr. Joan Rogers.
Technical Expert Panel, Developing Outpatient Therapy Payment Alternatives, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore.
American Occupational Therapy Association Representative, Developing Outpatient Thera[y Payment Alternatives, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. Elizabeth Skidmore.
'By invitation:' Professional development
Pittsburgh Fieldwork Council Mini Conference for Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Yes, You can be a Presenter, Baird, J. M. & Kanics, I.
Professional Advancement: Talk to the Expert. Baird, J. M., Colaianni, D, Lantz, J., & Hellestead, S.
Fieldwork Challenges & Opportunities, Leibold, M. L. & Stuart
WisCouncil
Quinnipiac University
Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Staff, Pittsburgh Veteran’s Affairs Hospital
Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities Annual Conference
Hands-On Science Workshop for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Teachers (RET) of the Engineering Research Center in Quality of Life Technology (QoLT)., Drs. Denise Chisholm and Ketki Raina and MOT students Melissa Comninos, Jilliene Irwin, Lorie Lengyel, Sara Marsico, Brianne Miller, Hannah Ritter, Laura Sorokes, Sara Spinelli, and Bobbi Ann Volkman.
Investing Now: Hands on Science program. Dr. Ketki Raina and MOT students, Sara Marsico, Sara Simons, Sara Spinelli, Cara Stone, and Stephanie Young, represented the Department of Occupational Therapy.