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Occupational Therapy Faculty

Amy Nwora, PhD, OTR
Chair of Occupational Therapy, Assistant Professor
Dr. Nwora's clinical experience centers around school-based treatment and psychosocial disability in children. She has worked extensively with children diagnosed with emotional disturbance, ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. Dr. Nwora has a BS/MS in Occupational Therapy from D’Youville College, and has recently obtained her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University at Buffalo. Current research pursuits include: sensory processing disorders/treatment, new treatment methodologies for dyslexia, and student perceptions of the school environment. Dr. Nwora teaches courses in evaluation and documentation, systems in which OT’s work, child development, and in various research courses, and works with students in their community practice course in the graduate year.

Merlene C. Gingher, EdD, OTR, PT
Associate Professor
Dr. Gingher has served as the Chair of the Occupational Therapy Program at D’Youville College from 1997-2008 and has taught graduate courses in thesis proposal development, professional issues, and aging and has advised students in thesis and research project development. She has also taught introductory courses in OT process and theory and community and health care systems. Dr. Gingher’s research interests include gerontic occupational therapy, functional independence in the elderly, faculty development, and interdisciplinary education. She has completed research in the area of entry-level gerontic occupational therapy, assistive technology for the elderly, psychosocial factors that contribute to oral health self-care and independence in the elderly and range of motion standards and their application to the elderly.

Michele Karnes, MS, OTR
Clinical Assistant Professor
Ms. Karnes earned an AA degree in Occupational Therapy from Erie Community College and a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the State University of NY at Buffalo. She earned an M.S. from Capella University in education with an emphasis in distance learning. Ms. Karnes has experience in physical disabilities, having practiced in hospitals, long term care facilities and in home care. Ms. Karnes is active in the Niagara Frontier District of the New York State Occupational Therapy Association, currently serving as Membership Chairperson. Ms. Karnes teaches child and adult development, medical and social conditions, management in occupational therapy and systems in which occupational therapy is delivered. Ms. Karnes is the Admissions Coordinator for the department, the Student Occupational Therapy Association Advisor and an academic advisor. She is involved in developing distance-learning components for OT curricula. Her interests include developing continuing education opportunities. Recent work has been in the area of developing Service-Learning opportunities within the OT Department.

Leslie Krentz, MS, OTR
Clinical Assistant Professor, Admissions Coordinator - Undergraduate Program
Ms. Krentz earned her B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her B.S./M.S. in Occupational Therapy from D’Youville College. Ms. Krentz has experience in the areas of rehabilitation, outpatient, home care, and more recently sub-acute care. Ms. Krentz currently teaches in functional anatomy and neuroscience, and teaches in adult development and interpersonal skills courses in conjunction with other professors. In addition to being a full-time instructor at D’Youville College, Ms. Krentz continues to provide consultative services to the Catholic Health System. Ms. Krentz is active in the New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA) and is the Co-Chair of the Planning Committee for the 2007 annual conference scheduled in Buffalo. Ms. Krentz is the Admissions Coordinator for the undergraduate OT program.

April Collins Rockwood, PhD, MS, OTR
Associate Professor
Dr. Rockwood's clinical specialty is in pediatrics. She has extensive experience in working with children in preschools, elementary schools, early intervention community programs, and in centers for children with multiple disabilities. Previously, she was the director of the Pediatric OT clinic at SUNY Buffalo and was the supervisor of the Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy departments at UCPA (Aspire) Children's Center. She was the chairwoman of the OT district special interest group on developmental disabilities and school-based practice. She has given numerous presentations on Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Treatment to professional organizations and agencies. Dr. Rockwood has a B.S. in OT, an M.S. in Health Science Education and Evaluation, and has earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology from SUNY Buffalo. She has special interests in Multiple Intelligences research, brain-based education, ADHD, and in partnering with teachers in inclusive educational settings. She teaches courses in neuroscience for rehabilitation, child and adult development, functional anatomy, pediatric evaluation and intervention and courses for the Education Department in Special Education.

Elizabeth Stanton, PhD, OTR
Associate Professor
Dr. Stanton's clinical expertise is in the area of mental health, with experience in addictions services, eating disorders and geriatric psychiatry. She has been involved in research using the Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation with patients who have eating disorders and has authored an article on the subject. Dr. Stanton currently teaches course content in medical and social conditions, interpersonal skills, group process, adult and geriatric intervention, and in various research courses. She is an item writer for the national examination developed by NBCOT. Dr. Stanton is interested in the social and cultural aspects of disability, health and therapeutic intervention. She has a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from SUNY Buffalo.

Theresa A. Vallone, MS, OTR
Clinical Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Ms. Vallone's clinical experience is in the areas of long-term care and adult/geriatric rehabilitation. She served as Director of Occupational Therapy for ten years overseeing both the rehabilitation program as well as the provision of occupational therapy for the long-term residents. She also served as a consultant to area nursing homes in WNY. Ms. Vallone has provided educational seminars throughout her career and in 2003 became a Trainer for CFIDS/CDC-sponsored Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Provider Education Project. Ms. Vallone has taught various courses and labs in the OT program and coordinates Level I and Level II Fieldwork in her current capacity. She holds an M.S. degree in Health Services Administration from D’Youville College.

Margaret Griffith Frye, MA, OTR
Instructor
The majority of Ms. Frye's clinical experience is in adult physical disabilities with special interests in burn treatment, neurorehabilitation, prosthetics, orthotics, and spinal cord injury. Ms. Frye has implemented occupational therapy programs in a new regional burn center and a new adult rehabilitation facility. Ms. Frye currently teaches courses in adult and geriatric intervention, evaluation and documentation, and community practice. Ms. Frye is active in the New York State Occupational Therapy Association and is an item writer for the National Board for the Certification of Occupational Therapists.