UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine's Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and UAB Medicine's Spain Rehabilitation Center were well represented at the 27th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference (American Psychological Association Division 22) in Louisville, Kentucky.
The event culminated in an incredible week of learning, collaboration, and celebration of the field of rehab psychology. Here are some highlights:
Stepping Into New Roles
PM&R Associate Professor and Director of Wellness Education Dr. Megan Hays had the privilege of serving as an oral examiner for the first time as part of her duties on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology (ABRP).
“I was excited to contribute to the next generation of board-certified rehabilitation psychologists!” said Hays.
Spotlighting Research
PM&R’s postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Samantha Mladen, presented data from VCU Health, showcasing findings from her dissertation.
Celebrating Mentorship & Excellence
UAB Dept. of Psychology Professor Dr. Gitendra Uswatte, a longtime collaborator with UAB PM&R, delivered his Leonard Dillard Award Lecture, introduced by none other than Dr. Scott Richards, PM&R Professor Emeritus and Dr. Hays’ former fellowship mentor.
Innovating Clinical Practice
Elliott Botelho, doctoral candidate in UAB’s Medical/Clinical Psychology Program, presented a poster on a unique case from Spain Rehab, co-mentored by Associate Professor and Director, Division of Rehabilitation Psychology Dr. Casey Azuero and Dr. Hays. The work focused on developing an inclusive exposure protocol for a congenitally blind patient in an acute rehabilitation setting.
Growing Our Team
The PM&R team held down a table at the job fair, actively recruiting for two open Neuro/Rehabilitation Psychologist faculty positions to join an amazing team!
This conference is a continuing education program sponsored by the APA Division of Rehabilitation Psychology (Division 22) and the Academy of Rehabilitation Psychology (ARP), in affiliation with the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology (ABRP), Foundation of Rehabilitation Psychology (FRP), and Council of Rehabilitation Psychology Postdoctoral Training Programs (CRPPTP).