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 earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Master of Occupational Therapy, both from the University of New Mexico, followed by a Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. She completed an interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Personal Statement
Dr. Burns develops, tests, and implements digital health assessments and interventions that improve community living outcomes for people with disabilities. Her second area of research addresses cognitive rehabilitation, where she develops assessments and technology-enhanced interventions for adults living with post-stroke executive function impairments. As a rehabilitation research scientist, she contributes expertise at the intersection of post-stroke executive function impairment and community living. Dr. Burns disseminates her work through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, service on national boards, and mentoring. She has secured competitive extramural, intramural, and foundation funding as principal investigator, co-principal investigator, and co-investigator.
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
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, PhD, MOT, OTR/L, ATPBiography
Dr. Mary Thelander earned a Bachelor of Science in History from Eastern New Mexico University, a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University. She also completed a certification program in assistive technology through the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology. In addition to her national occupational therapy certification and state license, Dr. Thelander holds the nationally recognized Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) credential.
Personal Statement
Dr. Thelander brings more than 15 years of clinical experience in adult rehabilitation, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of people with complex neurological and cardiovascular conditions as well as Veterans with spinal cord injuries. In addition, she serves as the fieldwork educator for the New Mexico AgrAbility Project, where she provides assistive technology consultation and support to farmers and ranchers managing health-related challenges that affect their ability to complete the occupations of production agriculture.
Dr. Thelander’s scholarly work has focused on the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for successful occupational therapy private practice, as well as the application of assistive technology to enhance participation and independence. Her contributions to the profession have been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, scholarly presentations and invited lectures at regional, national and international conferences and journals. Dr. Thelander has successfully secured competitive extramural funding as Principal Investigator with the NM AgrAbility Project, supporting research and programmatic initiatives in occupational therapy and assistive technology.
Dr. Thelander values the greater occupational therapy community, and has served extensively with the New Mexico Occupational Therapy board as Treasurer, Secretary, Continuing Education Chair and Webmaster.
Contact Dr. 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: jsalaza2@salud.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
