Two Therapists Recognized Within "25 Most Influential" List by Therapy Times Magazine
December 7, 2006
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), the leading physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in the country, announced today that two occupational therapists, Kathy Stubblefield and Kim Eberhardt were named to the Therapy Times "25 Most Influential Therapists" list for 2006. The list recognizes individuals for demonstrating a passion for therapy and dedication to the highest quality of patient care possible.
Kathy Stubblefield, OTR/L, is the lead occupational therapist in the Neural Engineering Center for Artificial Limbs (NECAL) at RIC. Stubblefield, originally of Great Bend, KS, works with amputee patients who have been fitted with the neural-controlled "Bionic Arm" technology pioneered by Dr. Todd Kuiken and his team. This innovation allows patients to move a six-motor prosthetic arm simply by thought. Stubblefield has worked with these patients since 2001 on tasks and functional exercise to ensure they achieve the best possible results. This research was presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference in April 2005. She is a graduate of University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS.
"Kathy has been an important and valuable member of the research team for more than five years," said Todd Kuiken, MD, PhD, Director of the Neural Engineering Center for Bionic Medicine at RIC. "She shows an amazing amount of patience, creativity and dedication to working with patients to test the functionality of their prosthetic limbs. The work she does with our patients is imperative for learning and advancing this research."
Kim Eberhardt, MS, OTR/L, is a program specialist with the spinal cord injury unit at RIC. In addition to delivering excellent patient care, Eberhardt, of Grand Rapids, MI, educates patients and their families on topics that make the rehabilitation process and transition back to the community easier such as traveling with a disability and disability sports and fitness opportunities. These educational seminars introduce patients to community resources making their discharge and transition easier. Eberhardt is the chair of the wheelchair division of the Chicago Marathon and the vice-president of the Spinal Cord Injury Association, dedicating her time to advancing resources and opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, she has published several articles about home modifications for people with spinal cord injuries in newsletters and journals.
"Kim demonstrates a true commitment to treating patients with spinal cord injuries," said Sally Taylor, PT, the allied health manager on the spinal cord injury floor at RIC. "She is an advocate for people with spinal cord injuries on the floor, throughout RIC, and within the community and her dedication for patients makes a difference in the lives of others motivating them to achieve their highest level of independence."
Eberhardt is a graduate of Colorado State University and received her master degree at University of Michigan.
About Therapy Times "25 Most Influential"
Therapy Times is a website for professionals in the therapeutic and healthcare industry. Therapy Times recognizes these professionals for demonstrating the drive, character and integrity deserving of the title, "most influential."
About The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago is dedicated to helping people with all levels and types of physical disabilities live a fulfilling life. U.S. News & World Report has ranked RIC the "#1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America" every year since 1991. RIC operates a flagship hospital in Chicago as well as a network of DayRehabCenters and outpatient centers located throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. It also maintains strategic alliances with other healthcare providers throughout the state of Illinois. For more information, visit the RIC website at www.ric.org.
Journalists contact: mediarelations@ric.org, 312-238-6044.
All others contact: webmaster@ric.org.
