Kudos to the CDNG Executive Committee
Mission of CDNG
The CDNG provides a supportive network of peers, the necessary resources, and networking opportunities to promote successful career growth for rehabilitation researchers and clinicians. We work together to tackle many of the common career development challenges and foster the development and advancement of early career professionals in the field of rehabilitation.
Dr. Alison Cogen: received KL2 Award from the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC-CTSI).
My long-term career objective is to increase the quality, value, and efficiency of rehabilitation services for adults with acquired brain injuries. This objective is largely shaped by the move toward value-based payment models for post-acute care: how can we facilitate the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based rehabilitation services that create value for patients? I was recently awarded a KL2 grant from the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC-CTSI). The KL2 mechanism is a mentored research grant that will allow me to work on an important clinical problem while gaining additional training in clinical and translational research. My project is two-pronged: first, I will conduct a retrospective cohort study using secondary data to examine how the distribution of occupational, physical, and speech therapy time is associated with functional recovery in adults with stroke in inpatient rehabilitation settings. Second, I will do a deep-dive into understanding how clinical teams make real-time decisions about therapy time and activities for adults with stroke in inpatient rehabilitation using qualitative methods. What is really exciting about this study is that I will be working two mentors—Mary Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA and Nicolas Schweighofer, PhD—who have unparalleled expertise in the methods that I will be using for each aim. Overall, I anticipate that the study results will lead to the development of clinical tools to support evidence-based, real-time decision making in rehabilitation that optimizes recovery for patients.
Dr. Monique Pappadis, Chair of CDNG, is appointed as the Vice Chair of Department of Population Health and Health Disparities at the University of Texas Medical Branch
Dr. Brian Downer, Chair of Early Career development Task Force, is appointed as the Program Director of PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch
Outstanding Mentor Award: Dr. Linda Ehrlich-Jones
Linda Ehrlich-Jones, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACRM, embodies excellence in mentorship, earning her the esteemed the ACRM Outstanding Mentor Award. As the Associate Director of the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and a Research Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Ehrlich-Jones has dedicated her career to advancing rehabilitation science. Dr. Ehrlich-Jones’ research prowess shines through her focus on behavioral interventions employing motivational interviewing techniques, a field in which she’s been a leading figure since 2006. Her expertise extends beyond research, encompassing program development and training for healthcare professionals and lay personnel. Notably, she has steered pivotal initiatives such as the Rehabilitation Measures Database, demonstrating her commitment to advancing measurement standards in rehabilitation. With her nursing background, Dr. Ehrlich-Jones brings a wealth of knowledge to her mentoring role. With unwavering dedication and guidance, Dr. Ehrlich-Jones empowers the next generation of researchers, leaving an indelible mark on the field of rehabilitation science.
