Introducing the Measurement Innovations Task Force:

Co-chairs: Andrew D. Delgado, andrew.delgado@mountsinai.org, and
Zijian Huang, zijian.huang@pitt.edu

We are pleased to announce the formation of a new Task Force within our community, dedicated to advancing the use of machine learning and digital technologies in clinical research. This initiative will focus on enhancing research design and data analysis practices in rehabilitation. Our vision is to become a leading collaborative platform, setting global standards and driving innovation in the integration of these technologies to transform clinical research and practice in rehabilitation.

We invite those with a passion for machine learning and digital technologies to join our efforts. Over the coming year, our objectives include: (a) developing protocol and reporting standards for the use of technological measurements, such as wearable devices, in rehabilitation; (b) creating “cheat sheets” for study design and data collection with wearable devices and machine learning, aimed at guiding investigators; and (c) producing “cheat sheets” for data reporting and analysis, tailored for investigators using these technologies in their research.

If you’re passionate about advancing equitable measurement practices, we’d love to have you on board for this important initiative. To get involved, please reach out to Andrew D. Delgado.

Introducing the Equity and Inclusivity in Measurement Task Force:

Co-chairs: Anthony H. Lequerica, alequerica@kesslerfoundation.org, and Jamilah Alqahtani, alqahtja@mail.uc.edu

We are excited to announce the establishment of a new Task Force within our community dedicated to advancing equity and inclusivity in measurement practices. With a mission to foster culturally responsive approaches and bridge disparity gaps across diverse languages and cultures, this task force seeks to promote fair and accurate assessments, particularly within linguistic and racial/ethnic populations. Our vision is to create a collaborative platform that sparks innovation in measurement methodologies. We invite individuals passionate about cross-cultural measurement, linguistic appropriateness, cultural responsiveness, and addressing measurement inequities to join us. Together, we aim to conduct impactful projects, initiate collaborative efforts, and address key challenges identified through a comprehensive needs assessment survey among ACRM members.

If you share our commitment to equitable measurement practices, we encourage you to reach out and contribute to this vital initiative. Contact Anthony H. Lequerica or Jamilah Alqahtani to get involved; your expertise and dedication are crucial as we work towards a more inclusive future in measurement science.

Congratulations to the esteemed 2023 ACRM Measurement Awardees! 

• Patricia Grady-Dominguez is recognized with the Early Career Poster Award for her outstanding work on the “Indices of Responsiveness for The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised in a Clinical Trial of Amantadine for Patients With Disorders of Consciousness” (#2522509). 

• Angela Benfield receives the Measurement in Action Poster Award for her significant contributions to the “Further Development of the Measure of Evidence-Informed Professional Thinking” (#2372632). 

• Yun Shi is honored with the Advancing the Science of Measurement Poster Award for her impactful research on the “Dynamics of Social Isolation, Health-related Symptoms, and Daily Activity Patterns Among Individuals with Stroke” (#2443338). 

Well done to these exceptional individuals for their dedication to advancing measurement science!

The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) has announced that Allen Heinemann, PhD, director, Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR), will receive the 2024 ACRM Gold Key Award, its highest honor for lifetime achievement.
Dr. Heinemann has been with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab since 1985, leading CROR to manage a research portfolio nearing $10 million and overseeing the Rehabilitation Measures Database, a valuable online resource with over 570 summarized rehabilitation measures. Beyond his research and administrative roles, Dr. Heinemann is a respected figure in the rehabilitation field, both nationally and internationally. He is a past-president and fellow of ACRM, past-president of the Rehabilitation Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association (APA), and holds a diplomate in Rehabilitation Psychology. He also serves on editorial boards for key journals and contributes to the Social Security Administration’s Disability Programs.
Dr. Heinemann will be honored on Nov. 2 at the 2024 ACRM annual conference in Dallas. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Heinemann on receiving the prestigious 2024 ACRM Gold Key Award.