IU Occupational Therapy's Graduate Program is Ranked Among the Top Occupational Therapy Programs in the Nation.

The Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy graduate program is ranked among the top occupational therapy (OT) programs in the nation, according to the latest rankings by U. S. News & World Report.

The program was ranked 21st out of 156 OT programs in the country according to the U. S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools rankings released on March 13, 2012.

The program has been graduating professional occupational therapists for 55 years. The program has seen its ranking rise from 39th in 2007 to 21st in the graduate program rankings.

"The program's high ranking in such a competitive field of OT programs, is an outcome of the hard work everyone associated with the program including students, staff and faculty has contributed." Dr. Thomas Fisher, Professor and Chair noted.

"The IU OT program is an example of how a program with an emphasis on student centeredness, evidence-based practice and theoretical understanding of occupational therapy philosophy and principles can succeed." Having an excellent accreditation visit in the fall and now to have our peers rank us in the top tier of OT programs is truly an accomplishment. Leading such a department is a privilege." Dr. Fisher shared with the department.

Link to article: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com

SHRS Hosts First Interdisciplinary Research Conference

SHRS hosted the First Interdisciplinary Research Conference on November 12th. The event featured student poster presentations, vendors, lunch, and a keynote presentation by Judith Ernst, D.M.Sc., RD, who was also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

2011 SHRS Alumni Event

Congratulations to Judith Ernst - D.M.Sc., RD, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award at the SHRS Alumni Event on Saturday, November 12th. Pictured (from left) are: Louise Goggans, alumni board past president, Dean Agho, Sue Klinger, alumni board president and Dr. Ernst.

Read about PT graduate assistant Ryan Cardinal on indystar.com

Full story>>

Yoga May Improve Balance in Stroke Patients

CBS News, June 6, 2011 — Practicing yoga after a stroke may help rebuild balance and prevent potentially disabling falls among the elderly, a study shows. It also was interesting to see how much the men liked practicing yoga, says researcher Arlene A. Schmid, assistant professor of occupational therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at IUPUI.

Full Story >>

IU researchers discuss barefoot running, stroke and yoga at ACSM

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences was well represented at the 2011 the American College of Sports Medicine's 58th annual meeting May 31-June 4 in Denver.

Full Story >>

Visovatti-Weaver named Program Director for Bachelor of Sciences degree

The Department of Health Sciences in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is pleased to announce that as of July 1, 2011 Kathy Visovatti-Weaver, RN, MPA, JD, has joined us as the Program Director for the Bachelor of Sciences degree. Ms Weaver has been teaching in the PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program since 2008, and subsequently added teaching responsibilities in the BS in Health Sciences program. She will also be integrally involved in the MS in Physician Assistant Studies degree. Her unique educational background of nursing, public administration, and law will enhance her ability to lead the BS program as it continues its enrollment growth and builds upon its strong academic foundation. Ms. Weaver has 32 years of public health experience working for the Indiana State Department of Health. Prior to her public health work she was a NICU staff nurse in Madison, Wisconsin and director of nursing services in the NICU in Rockford, Illinois and at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Ms. Weaver also holds a Certificate in Parish Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana. In 2004 she received the President’s Award for Outstanding Public Health Leadership given by the Indiana Public Health Association and in 2009 she was the recipient of the Maynard K Hine Award from the Indiana University Alumni Association.  

Posted on 1 July 2011 | 12:00 am

Patent issued for work on nutrition of very low birth weight infants

Debbie Abel, Administrative Specialist/Coordinator, Leadership Education in MCH Nutrition (Pediatric Focus); and PhD candidate in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) was recently issued a patent for her systematic approach to recording, calculating and presenting nutritional data specifically related to the feeding and resulting growth outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and lifelong health problems. Early growth failure resulting from inadequate nutrition in VLBW infants has long lasting effects, such as pulmonary and neurodevelopmental disabilities. This patent offers a variety of solutions and options in the feeding of these medically fragile babies.

Posted on 14 May 2011 | 12:00 am

Dr. Friedrich-Nel visits IUPUI as Fulbright scholar

The SHRS welcomes Hesta Friedrich-Nel, PhD as she resides on the IUPUI campus for three months as a Fulbright scholar. She is engaged in a research project with Sherry Queener, PhD, Director of the Graduate Office, the focus of which is to draw up a framework for formative assessment on the master’s and doctoral level for implementation at Dr. Friedrich-Nel’s home university, the School of Health Technology at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in Bloemfontein, South Africa, where she serves as director and associate professor. This is Dr. Friedrich-Nel’s fourth visit to the IUPUI campus. She and Joyce MacKinnon, EdD, Associate Dean of the SHRS, have been collaborating for eight years , to include visits by Dr. MacKinnon to South Africa. The focus of their collaborations has been assessment of student learning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  

Posted on 4 April 2011 | 12:00 am