DR. ROSEANN SCHAAF WINS AYRES RESEARCH AWARD AT
2008 AOTA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Occupational therapy scholars, professionals, and students from across the country honored Roseann C. Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, at the 2008 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) National Conference, held in Long Beach, CA, April 10-13.  Dr. Schaaf, Associate Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University, received the distinguished A. Jean Ayres research award, which is conferred annually to two outstanding candidates who have demonstrated sustained commitment to the application, development, or testing of theory in occupational therapy.

The award is given in honor of A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, whose concentration on developing theory in support of practice was of great significance to the profession of occupational therapy. This honor has special importance to Dr. Schaaf, whose work directly stems from the influence of the Dr. Ayres, who is best known for her research related to a type of developmental disorder known as sensory integrative dysfunction. Her pioneering work has helped thousands of children and their families cope with and recover from this baffling set of problems.

Dr. Schaaf, a scholar of neural and behavioral sciences, builds on Dr. Ayres’ research by studying the neural mechanisms of sensory processing and their impact on participation. She lectures extensively in the United States and abroad and has authored numerous articles, chapters, and books on these topics. A Switzer Fellow of the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Dr. Schaaf maintains a private practice in which she works with children and families affected by sensory dysfunction. 

Dr. Schaaf is not the first Jefferson occupational therapy faculty member to receive this prestigious award. Janice P. Burke, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Occupational Therapy and Dean of Jefferson School of Health Professions, accepted the award in 1989. 

The Department of Occupational Therapy is part of the Jefferson College of Health Professions (JCHP), an integral part of one of the nation's oldest academic health centers, Thomas Jefferson University, which also includes Jefferson Medical College and Jefferson College of Graduate Studies. JCHP has three schools: a School of Health Professions (consisting of the Departments of Bioscience Technologies, Couple and Family Therapy, General Studies, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Radiologic Sciences), a School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy.

Contact:
Jacqueline Paquet
215-503-1918
jacqueline.paquet@jefferson.edu

Published: 5-1-2008