Heidi Sanders, PhD, MA, OTR/LBiography
Dr. Sanders received a B.S. degree in Occupational Therapy (1997), a M.A. degree in Early Childhood Special Education (2006) and her Ph.D. in Family and Child Studies (2024) from the University of New Mexico.
Personal Statement
Dr. Sanders has focused her work in pediatrics. Upon graduating with her degree in occupational therapy, she worked in the pediatric inpatient rehabilitation department at Carrie Tingley Hospital for several years before accepting a position with the FOCUS program. The FOCUS program is an early intervention program working with children and families with issues of substance abuse and other at-risk factors. This position ignited her interest in working with children and adolescents with adverse childhood experiences. Since taking her faculty position with the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, she has developed school-wide self regulation and social skill programs for local charter schools. In addition, Dr. Sanders collaborated with two treatment foster care agencies providing parent-child sensory-based attachment groups, summer camps, in home and school consultations.
Contact Dr. Sanders: hsanders@salud.unm.edu
Suzanne "Suzy" Perea Burns, PhD, OTR/L, ECHMBiography
Dr. Suzanne Perea Burns received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. Dr. Burns also completed an interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship focused on disparities in stroke recovery outcomes at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Personal Statement
Dr. Burns’ research has primarily focused on the development, testing, and implementation of mobile health (mHealth) assessments and interventions to improve community living outcomes for people with disabilities. A second major research focus is on cognitive rehabilitation, specifically, developing assessments and technology-enhanced interventions for people living with post-stroke executive function impairments. As a rehabilitation research scientist, she contributes expertise at the intersection of post-stroke executive function impairments and community living. Dr. Burns’ contributions have been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations; service on national boards; mentoring; and successful acquisition of competitive extramural, intramural, and foundation grants as PI, co-PI, and co-I.
Contact Dr. Burns: scburns@salud.unm.edu
Patricia "Trish" Siegel, OTD, OTR/L, CHTBiography
Patricia Siegel is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico’s Occupational Therapy graduate program. She received her Bachelor of Science at Texas Woman’s University and her post-professional Doctorate at Chatham University, Pittsburg. She obtained a Certification in Hand Therapy in 2009. Dr. Siegel has extensive experience in the rehabilitation of traumatic hand injuries and currently teaches an applied orthopaedics course, kinesiology and a hand therapy elective.
Dr. Siegel co-authored a chapter on Hand Therapy in Tahseen A. Cheema (Ed.) Complex Injuries of the Hand and she co-authored the American Occupational Therapy Association practice guidelines on Rheumatic Disorders. In addition to her teaching and clinic duties, Dr. Siegel has varied research interests in assessments and interventions used by Occupational Therapists and has extensive practice experience in hand therapy.
Personal Statement
As an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, the anatomy and pathology of the upper extremity has always interested me. As a clinician researcher, having evidence-based practice resources ensures that rehabilitative treatment techniques are effective; however, in rehabilitation the evidence is often insufficient or is outdated. This lack of evidence drives me to performing research and investigating the assessments and Interventions used in orthopeadics and hand therapy.
Contact Dr. Siegel: psiegel@salud.unm.edu
Tim Dionne, PhD, OTR/LBiography
Dr. Dionne earned his BS in Occupational Science and MS in Occupational Therapy from the University at Buffalo in 2010 and worked at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now Shirley Ryan Ability Lab) for 5 years. Then transitioned to Rehab Science PhD program at the University at Buffalo, completed in 2019.
Personal Statement
My research emphasis is on supporting therapists provided quality care, through knowledge dissemination and dissemination and implementation research methods. Improving expertise in occupational therapy across urban and rural settings and equity of knowledge are my top research priorities.
Contact Dr. Dionne: tdionne@salud.unm.edu
Biography
Dr. Audi Santos received their BA in Psychology in 2006 from the University of Washington, and MA of Occupational Therapy in 2010 from the University of Southern California. After ten+ years of clinical practice in a variety of pediatric and adult settings, Dr. Santos completed their post-professional OTD in Occupational Therapy in 2022 from Boston University.
Personal Statement
Dr. Santos’ doctoral research focused on social justice in occupational therapy practice through a mixed methods pilot study assessing practitioner experiences of harmful client behavior in the United States. Their clinical and scholarly interests include social justice, climate justice, and social and emotional health and wellness as foundations of occupational therapy practice. Dr. Santos is an active member of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) and Occupational Therapists for Environmental Action (OTEA). They have also served as a consultant for a non-profit organization serving the Latine community in Oregon, providing research support, program development, and grant writing assistance for a culturally and linguistically responsive social and emotional wellness program.
Contact Dr. Santos: ausantos@salud.unm.edu
Geneva Nolan, MOT, OTR/LGeneva Nolan received their Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico with a focus on printmaking and art history (2005). She returned to UNM to complete her Master of Occupational Therapy (2015). Geneva is currently pursuing additional education in adult learning and health equity.
Personal Statement
Throughout her 8 years of clinical practice, Geneva honed her skills in inpatient rehab and acute care settings. While specializing in oncology, neurology, and post-concussion rehabilitation through targeted practice and continuing education, she also discovered a burgeoning interest in generalist practice through her experience as a fieldwork educator. Now, as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and instructor of Introduction to Occupation and Health, she's passionate about guiding students through the rewarding journey of becoming entry-level occupational therapists.
Contact Ms. Nolan: nolang@salud.unm.edu
Mary Thelander, MOT, OTR/L, ATPBiography
Ms. Thelander received a B.S. degree in History from Eastern New Mexico University and a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of New Mexico. Ms. Thelander has worked as a clinical occupational therapist in inpatient and outpatient adult rehabilitation settings, coordinated the assistive technology program at the New Mexico Veterans Administration Health Care System and conducted exoskeleton assisted walking training for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury with the VA Cooperative Studies Program. Ms. Thelander has been an instructor with the University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Graduate Program since 2014. She coordinates Problem-Based Learning and is co-chair of the Occupational Therapy Student Performance Assessment II.
Personal Statement
Thelander has a passion for the historical roots of Occupational Therapy to provide humane treatment to people in inpatient, outpatient and community settings. Thelander has been a part of research on Exoskeleton Assisted Walking for Veterans who have experienced spinal cord injuries, and sees the power of assistive technology to return treasured occupations. Thelander has conducted research to delve into the perspectives of families who are homeschool educators. Thelander is a fieldwork educator with the AgrAbility grant program.
Contact Ms. Thelander: mthelander@salud.unm.edu
Jessica Salazar, MSW, MOT, OTR/LBiography
Jessica Salazar received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Social Work from Tulane University. She is currently working on a PhD in Education and Leadership from Pacific University.
Personal Statement
Jessica’s clinical experience includes outpatient pediatrics, community practice, and home health. She is interested in the impact of chronic conditions on functional outcomes and the role of OT in primary care. She has experience with working with clients with chronic conditions, mental health diagnoses, sensory processing disorder, and chronic pain.
Contact Ms. Salazar: jssedillo17@unm.edu
Janet Poole, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTABiography
Dr. Poole received a B.S. degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO and a M.A. degree in Educational Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel, NC. She completed her Ph.D. degree in Motor Learning/Motor Control at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Personal Statement
Dr. Poole's clinical interest and dedication to people who have scleroderma was fostered by rheumatologists at the University of Pittsburgh and people with scleroderma. She has designed hand and face exercise programs, developed self-management programs and collaborated with people with scleroderma in finding solutions to challenges in performing daily tasks. Her research has focused on the changes in hand function and the impact of scleroderma on people's lives.
Contact Dr. Poole: jpoole@salud.unm.edu
Terry K. Crowe, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Diane Parham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Betsy VanLeit, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Patricia Burtner, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
