Originally, I am from the small town of Kane, Pennsylvania. Currently, I live in San Antonio, Texas, with Barry, my husband of 24 years, and our youngest son, William. Our oldest son, Joshua, is serving in the U.S. Navy. 

• In 1997, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and in 2017, I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
• In 1998, I graduated from Gannon University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in occupational therapy. I now work for Gannon as adjunct faculty in their Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.
• In 2003, I earned a Master’s of Science in occupational therapy from Eastern Kentucky University.
• In 2010, I earned my PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Kentucky. The focus of my PhD was the remediation of adult neurological disorders. My clinical and research focus is the rehabilitation of complex trauma.
• Since 2005, I have maintained my board certification as a Hand Therapist.

I have authored (or co-authored) over thirty-five research articles and three book chapters in pursuit of increased knowledge and understanding of the recovery process following traumatic injuries. I co-wrote the book “Handwriting For Heroes” to instruct clinicians and patients on the process of hand dominance transfer. My greatest joys come from providing direct clinical care, writing, and teaching. 

My military duty assignments include Assistant OT Clinic Chief at Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado from 1998-2001; Occupational Therapy Amputee Care Section Chief at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. from 2003-2007; Internship Director for the Army OT Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2005-2007; Research Scientist and Deputy of the Military Performance Lab at the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) in Natick, Massachusetts from 2010-2012; Flight Commander for the Concussion Specialty Care Center at Craig Joint Theater Hospital from 2012-2013; Program Director of the US Army Baylor Doctor of Science in OT Program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas from 2013-2015; Director, Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center, from 2015-2017. 

My military and civilian awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, the Amputee Coalition Professional of the Year Award, the Young Alumni Award from EKU, the Mary Lipscolm Hamrick Research Award for the Army Medical Specialist Corps, and the “A” Proficiency Designator Award. 

I am a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. 

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Research Publications

Amputees Unanimous

Handwriting for Heroes

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