For me, AAIDD has proven to be an extremely valuable network of people and activities which collectively contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth. I feel my background in research, policy and practice efforts promoting the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will make me a valuable member of the AAIDD Board of Directors. Since joining AAIDD, I have continued to take on leadership roles within Interest Networks and volunteered my time and effort to support the organization’s growth. My overall goal for joining the AAIDD Board of Directors would be to expand my ongoing support of AAIDD. I would like to contribute to efforts to promote increasing the diversity of AAIDD’s membership and also work on strategies to promote collaborative research and practice efforts among AAIDD members.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:
Current Position:
Assistant Professor, Center for Health Equity Research and the Department of Occupational Therapy, Northern Arizona University
Previous Positions:
Policy Intern, The Arc of the United States
Therapy Services Manager and Associate Executive Director, United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay
Occupational Therapist, United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay
Education:
2015 - Doctorate of Public Health, Community and Family Health, University of South Florida Dissertation Topic: Implementation of Medicaid Managed Long-term Services and Supports for Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities: A State’s Experience
2003 - Master of Business Administration, University of South Florida
1997 - Bachelors of Health Science in Occupational Therapy, University of Florida
AAIDD Participation:
Attended and presented at the AAIDD 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
Student and Early Career Professionals (SECP) Interest Network
2014-2017 SECP Newsletter & Social Media
2017-2018 SECP Co-Chair
Co-Chair of the Assembly of Interest Networks
Elected summer 2019
Committee Member, Local Arrangements Committee, 2014 Annual Conference
Committee Member, National Conference Planning Committee, 2017-2018
Committee Member, Nominations and Elections Committee, 2018-2019
Activities/Awards:
Grant-funded research (American Occupational Therapy Foundation, National Cancer Institute) focused on health equity of adults with IDD
Former Board of Director member of The Arc of Arizona
Since 2014, 9 peer-reviewed IDD specific publications and 28 peer-reviewed IDD specific presentations