Dr. Kelleher presented an Advocacy Training workshop entitled "Connecticut State Guidelines for Educating Children And Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorders" at the Autism Spectrum Resource Center in Wallingford, Connecticut on March 24, 2011 and at Northwestern Community College, Winsted, Connecticut on April 13, 2011. 

Dr. Kelleher was reappointed and named to the Executive Council for the Connecticut Statewide Advisory Council to the Division of Autism Spectrum Services within the Department of Developmental Services in March 2011.

Dr. Karen Waters completed her Ed.D. from Walden University, successfully defending her dissertation entitled " A Clinical Practicum Experience to Prepare Teacher Candidates for Classroom Literacy Instruction." Dr. Waters will be conferred the doctoral degree on June 19, 2011.


EXERCISE SCIENCE

Wendy Bjerke presented a paper entitled "Resistance Training For Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs" at the New England College of Sports Medicine Conference, November 3 - 4, 2010 in Providence, Rhode Island 

Dr. Beau Greer had an article published in the February 2011 issue of The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research entitled "Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation Lowers Perceived Exertion But Does Not Affect Performance In Untrained Males"

Dr. Jason Miller had an article published in the February 2011 issue of the Strength and Conditioning Journal entitled "Resistance circuit training:  Its application for the adult population."

Dr. Matthew Moran was invited to present a paper entitled "Do We Have The "Autism Story" backwards? Considering Autism As A Movement Disorder." at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, February 9 - 12, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Dr. Peter Ronai had an article published in the February 2011 issue of the Strength and Conditioning Journal entitled  "Multiple Sclerosis and Exercise."


NURSING

Dr. Kim Kuebler successfully defended her dissertation entitled "Comparing Perceived Knowledge of Chronic Disease Management to Quantitative Knowledge Measurement in a Sample of Baccalaureate Nursing Students:  Implications for Palliative Care Nursing Education" and received the Doctor of Nursing Degree from Vanderbilt University on May 13, 2011.


OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Heather Miller-Kuhaneck was awarded the Award of Service for her many contributions to The Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association (ConnOTA). The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in advancing the mission and strategic goals of ConnOTA and the practice of Occupational Therapy in the state through community leadership or advocacy.

Professor Kuhaneck has served as Secretary and Vice President, during her tenure under these titles she worked on the initial revision of the association's bylaws, policies and procedures. She also made numerous improvements to the ConnOTA website and assisted with the ConnOTA logo. Professor Kahuneck worked with a historian to create digital copies of historical documents, found new and innovative ways to keep ConnOTA running more efficiently through the initiation of ConnOTA position notebooks, and has worked tirelessly to coordinate conferences and increase sponsorship and vendor participation. In addition to her responsibilities as a full-time faculty member, Professor Kuhaneck engages in research and assessment development.

She was presented with the award at the ConnOTA Spring Conference which was held March 12, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, CT.

Professor Kuhaneck gave a presentation entitled "Family Centered Care and Siblings of Children with an ASD: Challenges and Opportunities for Occupational Therapy" at the ConnOTA Spring Conference, she gave the same presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference & Expo which took place April 14 - 17, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA.  

Dr. Lenore Frost, an invited speaker at the 11th Annual Safe Patient Handling and Movement Conference, gave a presentation entitled "Developing an Interdisciplinary Safe Patient Handling Curriculum for Students." The Conference took place in Lake Buena Vista, FL from March 28 - 31, 2011.

Dr. Frost gave a presentation entitled "Evidence-based Flexor Tendon Repair, Rehabilitation, and Recovery" at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference & Expo which took place April 14 - 17, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA.  

Dr. Frost had an article published in the December issue of American Occupational Therapy Association's Special Interest Section Newsletter entitled "Integrating Occupation into an Outpatient Occupational Therapy Practice: A Community Project."   

Dr. Margo Gross will present a paper entitled "Perseverance, Patience & Possibility:  Teaching Intimate Self-care Skills" at the 42nd Autism Society National Conference and Exposition to be held July 6 - 9, 2011 in Orland Florida.

Dr. Mary Ellen Johnson was approved for an award from the University Research Grant Committee to support her research "How does sensory stimuli impact a college students' experience?" 

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Dr. Kevin Chui was awarded promotion to associate professor with tenure by the University board of Trustees in March, 2011. As an associate professor, Dr. Chui joins the senior members of the University faculty. Tenure will be effective September 2012.

Dr. Chui has been selected as a member of the charter class of the APTA's Education Leadership Institute. Fellows of the Institute will participate in physical therapy education leadership development through a 15 month on-line and on-ground fellowship program designed to develop emerging leaders in the physical therapy education community. The fellowship program will begin in July, 2011 and finish in October, 2012. Dr. Chui is among only 15 such leaders selected nationally for this fellowship program.