Member Spotlight: Dr. Sarah Norring

Please tell us about your professional background.

I received my Ph.D. in Medical Science from the College of Medicine at University of South Florida over a decade ago. Since then, I have engaged in teaching at LECOM to a position with the NIH to assisting with the Rare Disease Clinical Trial Network. Currently, I am the US Director of Clinical Applications and Research for Tyromotion, an innovative medical device technology company based in Graz, Austria.

What inspired you to explore the applications of technology?

I have always loved the field of medicine and finding new ways to help people. Technology was a natural progression from working in pharma as I get to see, firsthand and in real time, how a device can immediately help a patient. Also, that same device can show progression over time and positive outcomes. Technology is a great tool to push the limits of what we currently can achieve.

What interested you in the ACRM Technology Networking Group?

I was invited by a dear friend and colleague to join the group. I was excited to see different areas of research, academia, and industry come together so collaboratively.

Please tell us about your involvement in technology fields or projects?

As a Director at Tyromotion, I get the privilege of performing clinical trainings across the country. We have upper and lower extremity robots that patients use throughout their rehabilitation journey. I also enjoy working closely with therapists to fully implement technology into their standard of care.

In your professional roles, what is a challenge or limitation you have encountered with technology? How did you resolve it, or does the issue persist?

One of the biggest challenges I have encountered is awareness. So many healthcare professionals just don’t know what’s out there and available for them to utilize in their practice for their patients and their community. This issue isn’t going away, but I hope that groups, like this one, will continue to educate and promote technology.

What advice would you give to any healthcare professional who wants to be more involved in technology?

It is not as hard as you think, but you need to do due diligence. Find social media outlets, attend technology conferences, network with vendors, seek out researchers; find out what it takes to create, educate, and/or sell technology.

Outside of professional activities, what hobbies you enjoy?

I am an avid reader and strive for a book a day!

What professional achievement are you most proud of over the past year?

2020 was a difficult year for all of us. And to be perfectly honest, my best achievement is that I am sincerely thankful to still be here, have a job I love, and be healthy.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the technology networking group?

The rehab space is small, and I appreciate the comradery we all have for each other.