The University of Toledo

Faculty and Staff

(Standing left to right: Lynne Chapman, David L. Nelson, Beth Ann Hatkevich, Martin Rice, Melanie Criss and Alexia E. Metz.  Seated left to right:  Julie Jepsen Thomas and  Barbara Kopp Miller)

Program Faculty

The program faculty is composed of dedicated professionals who have achieved national reputations in the field of occupational therapy. The following is a brief introduction to the faculty:

Lynne Chapman, M.S., OTR/L, LICDC- Clinical Assistant Professor and Senior Clinician in the Dept. of Rehabilitation Services. Professor Chapman specializes in treatment of adults with neurological conditions. She teaches curriculum content that includes advocacy conditions in occupational therapy, neurorehabilitative models of practice, and group models of practice.  Lynne.Chapman@UToledo.edu

Melanie Criss, OTD, OTR/L– Clinical Instructor and Coordinator of Fieldwork and Professional Development.  Ms. Criss has expertise in pediatric and industrial occupational therapy practice settings.  She manages the Fieldwork Program and teaches the Fieldwork Seminars.  Melanie.Criss@UToledo.edu

Beth Ann Hatkevich, Ph.D., OTR/L- Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Clinical and Educational Programming.  Dr. Hatkevich has expertise with sensory processing strategies as it relates to adolescent and adult performance deficits.  She has a strong clinical background and has worked with various populations in both rehabilitation and mental health settings.  She is a leader in community based treatment models for occupational therapy practice.  She also has a strong interest in learning and teaching strategies and client motivational factors.  BethAnn.Hatkevich@UToledo.edu

Barbara Kopp Miller, Ph.D. - Professor, Administrative Director of the Center for Successful Aging at UT and Executive Associate Dean for Research and Quality in the College of Health Sciences.  Educated as a social psychologist and gerontologist, Dr. Kopp Miller's primary research areas include: sexuality, grief and bereavement, and survey instrument development. Barbara.KoppMiller@UToledo.edu

Alexia E. Metz, Ph.D., OTR/L  - Assistant Professor and Director, School of Interprofessional Teaming.  Dr. Metz has practiced primarily in pediatrics in a variety of settings.  She completed her graduate work in neuroscience because of her interest researching the neural mechanisms of sensory processing disorders and treatment.  She contributes to the curriculum in the areas of neuroanatomy & physiology, neurological impairment, child development & conditions, and pediatric treatment approaches. Alexia.Metz@UToledo.edu

David L. Nelson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA - Professor Emeritus of Occupational Therapy, has devoted much of his career to theoretical work involving definitions of key concepts in occupational therapy. Dr. Nelson is a leader in experimental research demonstrating how different occupational forms affect various populations. His current research addresses the problems that older persons often experience when living at home while at risk for disabilities.

Martin S. Rice, Ph.D., OTR/L - Professor and Program Director with expertise in assistive technology, motor learning and motor control theory as it relates to adult performance deficits. Dr. Rice's research interests include investigating motor learning and motor control strategies that promote enhanced learning and efficient movement with respect to therapeutic occupational and the theoretical tenets of occupational therapy. Martin.Rice@UToledo.edu

Julie Jepsen Thomas, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA- Professor Thomas' practice expertise includes adults with performance deficits, especially those with cardiac dysfunction and arthritis. Dr. Thomas' research interests include investigation into the effects of splints on upper extremity movement and the characteristics of hand tools labeled ergonomic. JulieJ.Thomas@UToledo.edu

In addition to the faculty above, the OTD program is proud to collaborate with many occupational therapists working in the community. These experienced therapists provide supervision for fieldwork education and practicum experiences. They also share their clinical expertise via guest lectures throughout the curriculum. Their contributions enrich our program and add substantially to the depth and breadth of the OTD program.

 

The support staff for the Occupational Therapy Program includes:

Becky Gwozdz Administrative Assistant 419-530.6670 Becky.gwozdz@utoledo.edu