Spinal Cord Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group
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The ACRM Spinal Cord Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group (SCI-ISIG) is a community of interdisciplinary professionals who work to enhance educational and networking opportunities for ACRM members interested in SCI, and to advance clinical practice to improve the lives of people with SCI.
MISSION
The mission of the ACRM SCI-ISIG is to advance the field of SCI rehabilitation and research by:
- Providing opportunities for professional development
- Advocating for standards of practice and research
- Supporting a forum for interdisciplinary and international exchange and collaboration
Spinal Cord Injury ISIG All Member Meeting
Tuesday, 11 October
4:00 PM ET
Special Presentation: CORTREE: An online education platform for
those with disabilities
Sharol Cordner is the Manager, Mediation and Training Services with Cortree, a social venture powered by Spinal Cord Injury Ontario. Having completed a degree in Adapted Physical Education, Sharol has over 30 years of experience working with people with disabilities, the last 13 years with Spinal Cord Injury Ontario. Sharol is passionate about supporting people living with a physical disability in living the life they choose.
Nancy Xia graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Psychology. She joined Spinal Cord Injury Ontario in 2011 as an Information and Resource Specialist. Living with a spinal cord injury herself, Nancy’s goal is to help people adapt to their new life after an injury. She produces and develops content for Cortree TV which connects her with newly injured people and other members of the spinal cord injury community. Outside of work, Nancy is a Youtuber and an organizer of a mental health support group. She enjoys painting, singing karaoke and cooking. She lives in Toronto.
Abstract: Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can result in secondary complications related to physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Common secondary health consequences experienced by individuals with SCI include bladder and bowel continence issues, pain, autonomic dysreflexia, and spasticity. Furthermore, as people age with disability, they may begin to experience greater levels of complications and feelings of loss of independence. Generally, the more educated an individual is on managing their health following SCI, the more likely they are to show positive adjustment. However, there is a gap between education services that are desired and those that are available, which supports the notion that formal education is relatively insufficient. Cortree is a free online learning centre developed by Spinal Cord Injury Ontario in collaboration with clinicians, researchers, and persons with lived experience aimed to overcome the gap in available resources for those with disability. It is equipped with tools and resources that can be accessed by those with a disability and the people in their life. The platform also provides professional training, specifically for support workers. This presentation will provide background on the patient-oriented approach to the development of Cortree programs, available programming, and preliminary results on the impact of the platform on those with disability.
SCI-ISIG POSTDOC MATCH PROGRAM
The SCI-ISIG is working to help foster connections between postdoctoral trainees seeking rehabilitation research-related postdoctoral positions and rehabilitation professionals who have these positions available. To do so, we have created a very brief survey to collect information about open positions and trainees seeking positions.
A program application survey was initially emailed to all SCI-ISIG members on Tuesday, 11 January 2022 at 10:44 AM ET. If you are a member of the SCI-ISIG and did not receive an email invitation to apply to the SCI-ISIG Postdoc Match Program, please contact Cindy Robinson, Communications Manager, for assistance.
To participate in the initial phase of matching trainees with postdoctoral spinal cord injury research positions, please locate the application survey in your inbox or spam folder and complete the survey by 5:00 PM ET on Tuesday, 1 February 2022.
We will send out a follow-up email once we have collected all of this information to help connect trainees and professionals with positions.
Please contact the SCI-ISIG Early Career Officer, Nathan Hogaboom, if you have any questions.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Nathan Hogaboom, PhD
EARLY CAREER OFFICER
Research Scientist, Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research
Kessler Foundation
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
The SCI-ISIG is seeking nominations for two officer positions on the SCI-ISIG Executive Committee, including:
- Chair-Elect
- Membership Officer
Self nominations are permitted.
REVIEW QUALIFICATION & NOMINATION DETAILS >>
More details to come in April 2022
CALL FOR SCI PROPOSALS
Plan now to present your latest research or evidence-based knowledge at the ACRM 99th Annual Conference in Chicago, 8-11 November 2022. See submission guidelines and deadlines >>
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
RESEARCH
- Advance SCI research and promote research collaboration
- Establish an interdisciplinary research agenda
- Promote translation of evidence to enhance clinical expertise and practice
CLINICAL CARE
- Conduct state-of-the-art reviews of practice in spinal cord care
- Enhance competencies of an interdisciplinary team member in SCI rehabilitation
EDUCATION
- Participate in continuing education offerings specific to the interests of SCI researchers and clinicians
- Plan an educational course for the ACRM Annual Conference, Progress in Rehabilitation Research
- Develop and receive informational and instructional media, like the FES Task Force Webinar Series
Become involved in an SCI-ISIG task force by contacting the task force chair.
SCI-ISIG BENEFITS
- Continuing education opportunities
- Opportunity to plan educational courses for the ACRM Annual Conference
- Task Force participation
- Collaborative research opportunities
HOW TO JOIN THE SCI-ISIG
The opportunity to participate in more than 20 specialized interdisciplinary special interest groups (ISIG) and networking groups and to engage in their task forces, is one of the most valuable benefits of ACRM membership.
Membership is available at various levels and includes a subscription to the most-cited journal in rehabilitation, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as discounted member pricing on all ACRM products and events.
Click the JOIN NOW button to learn more or contact Member Services at +1.703.435.5335 for personal assistance.
Already an ACRM Member? Click here to log in and join the SCI-ISIG.
SCI-ISIG RESOURCES
- MEMBER GUIDE TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT >>
The Guide describes ACRM products, e.g., fact sheets, journal articles, manuals, and the procedure used by ACRM groups and committees to develop them. Includes a Product Development Worksheet and a Product Review Request Form. - SCI-ISIG BROCHURE >>
- SCI-ISIG BYLAWS
Bylaws for the SCI-ISIG may be found in the ACRM Policies & Procedures Manual. To review the manual, please login to the Member Portal. In the left navigation, select “Members ONLY Access” and click the hyperlink for the Policies & Procedures Manual.
