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Western’s Next Generation of Innovative
Occupational Therapy Scholars
A
t Western University, in the School of Occupa-
tional Therapy, the summer of 2014 will not just
be remembered for the retirement of two incred-
ible, long-serving, faculty members (Profs. Sandra Hob-
son and Lisa Klinger). The summer of 2014 will also be
remembered for the start of terms for three talented oc-
cupational therapy researchers who are contributing to
our vison of bringing the School to new heights of ex-
cellence in research and teaching: Dr. Liliana Alvarez,
Dr. Carri Hand, and Dr. Michael Ravenek.
Originally from Colombia, Dr. Alvarez is the
School’s first post-doctoral fellow working under the su-
pervision of Dr. Sherrilene Classen. The focus of Dr. Al-
varez’s postdoctoral research is on the innovative use of
in-vehicle technologies and driving simulation as inter-
vention strategies for drivers
with Parkinson’s disease. This
builds on her doctoral work at
the University of Alberta,
which investigated the ways in
which technologies provide
an alternative for populations
with neurological disorders, to
compensate for impaired
motor or cognitive skills.
Joining the School after post-doctoral work at
Queen’s University, Dr. Hand’s research explores envi-
ronmental supports of participation in occupations
among older adults, to inform development of innova-
tive strategies in primary health care and neighbourhood
settings. Collaborating with Canadian and American re-
search teams, her work highlights neighbourhood and
primary health care supports to social connectedness
and social participation in older adults; integrating pri-
mary health care and neigh-
bourhood resources; and
measuring occupation and
participation-focused
out-
comes in primary health care.
Having finished his doctoral work at Western, Dr.
Ravenek’s research has focused on expanding the role
of occupational therapy at the community level. His re-
search involves working with community agencies, in-
cluding the Parkinson Society Canada, to develop
resources for underserviced stakeholders; namely, indi-
viduals living with young-
onset Parkinson’s disease.
With much of his time fo-
cused on teaching within the
School’s MSc (OT) program,
Dr. Ravenek is also involved in
research on innovative teach-
ing methods employing mo-
bile technologies, as well as
clinical applications of such
technologies.
With research innovations in driving technology, pri-
mary health care, and community development as well
as incorporating technology into teaching, the School of
Occupational Therapy at Western is primed to continue
to excel as a leader in occupational therapy and occu-
pational science, both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Alvarez
Dr. Hand
Dr.
Ravenek