Bonnie Hodsdon, BS, OTR/L
Bonnie Hodsdon is the Chief of Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a Retired Captain in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Her study of rheumatoid arthritis has resulted in national interdisciplinary teaching opportunities and practice awards. She holds a patent for a device which prevents accidental needle sticks to healthcare workers. Her research activities have included collaborative investigation assessing the functional impact of connective tissue disease in drug efficacy trials with the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and collaborative examinations of the potential of motor training and splinting to modulate changes in hand function for patients with dystonia (writers cramp) with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Leora Ellen Comis, MPA, OTR/L
Leora Ellen Comis is a senior staff occupational therapist in Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from The City University of New York at Baruch College specializing in health care management and planning. Her clinical and research interests include the development of advanced standards of care for people with chronic, rare and/or complex medical conditions with a specialization in neurological and neurosurgical diseases. She currently serves as Associate Investigator for Institute research on Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.
Laurie DeLaney, MSOT, OTR/L, ATP
Laurie DeLaney is a staff occupational therapist in Occupational Therapy and an assistive technology practitioner at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree at Culver-Stockton College and her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Her clinical practice is focused on the evaluation and treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders and she serves as the clinical liaison for occupational therapy to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases satellite clinic. She is certified in the administration of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, is the Wheelchair Program coordinator, and is on the task force that is spearheading the development of a web-based RMD Toolbox of Assessments used in research. She serves as an Associate Investigator in a Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome protocol with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and in the phenotyping of obesity protocol with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Kathy Farrell, MS, OTR/L
Kathy Farrell is a staff occupational therapist in Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Towson University and Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. Her clinical practice addresses evaluating and treating adults with a variety of physical disabilities focusing on neurological disorders. Research activities with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke include serving as an associate investigator for a drug efficacy trial assessing fine motor skills of children and adolescents with Friedreich's Ataxia and evaluating the effects of direct current brain polarization on upper extremity performance in adults with Corticobasal Syndrome.
Hanna Hildenbrand, MS, OTR/L
Hanna Hildenbrand is a senior staff occupational therapist in Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Evansville and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Rush University. She has received specialized training in the Assessment of Motor Process Skills and is a certified administrator of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. Her primary clinical focus is in the areas of pediatric behavioral health and pediatric physical disabilities. Currently, she is an associate investigator for the National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the National Institute of Child Health and Development. Her presentations and publications associated with these research studies have focused on sensory processing in Smith-Magenis Syndrome and activity of daily living in Neonatal Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease.
Frances Oakley, MS, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA
Frances Oakley is a senior staff occupational therapist and RMD Research Coordinator in Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia, is a Captain in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, is Board-Certified in Gerontology, and has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is actively engaged in clinical care, teaching and research. She is a co-investigator in several NIH research studies and has designed functional assessments that are used to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacologic intervention. In addition, her contributions are recognized through her numerous publications and national and international presentations
Rebecca Parks, MS, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA
Rebecca Parks is a senior occupational therapist/Pediatric Specialist and Education Coordinator in Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She is a Captain in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and holds a Master of Science degree from Columbia University. She has achieved Board Certification in Pediatrics from the American Occupational Therapy Association and is a Fellow of the AOTA. She is also certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. Her clinical practice is mainly in the areas of pediatric and adult physical disabilities. Her primary collaborative research activities are with the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders. She has numerous national presentations and peer-reviewed publications associated with her research and clinical practice with general pediatrics and pediatric/adult oncology populations.
Susan Robertson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Susan Robertson is a senior staff occupational therapist and a mental health specialist in Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She earned her PhD from the University of Maryland in human development. She holds a Master's degree and Certificate in occupational therapy from San Jose State University and has been named a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is actively engaged in clinical care, research, and education with emphasis on adults with mood and anxiety disorders. Her research seeks to better understand relationships between self-regulation and occupational therapy process as they influence client outcomes. She serves as Associate Investigator for institute research on obesity and primary ovarian insufficiency. Professional publications and presentations have targeted research outcomes, leadership development, and intervention to foster mental wellness.
Lucy Swan, MOT, OTR/L
Lucy Swan is a senior staff occupational therapist and the Clinical Coordinator for Occupational Therapy at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her undergraduate education at Guilford College and her Master of Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman's University. Her areas of clinical practice include adult physical disabilities and mental health. Her research interests include the use of functional outcome measures in the Infliximab study for polymyositis with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the obesity protocol with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases investigating the functional impact of bariatric surgery.
