Federal Group Funding OT Research Celebrates 20th Anniversary
By Stephanie Yamkovenko
Twenty years ago, when Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it quickly became clear that there was a need for more expansive research to improve the lives of those with disabilities. That year, in 1991, the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) was created to become the main entity for medical rehabilitation research within the federal government.
As NCMRR celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is a proud sponsor of the NCMRR Scientific Symposium and Celebration, from December 12 to 13. AOTA leaders and staff attended a celebration dinner in honor of individuals who played important roles in the creation of NCMRR. AOTA President Florence Clark, CEO Fred Somers, Federal Affairs Director Tim Nanof, and Director of Research Susan Lin attended the dinner.
NCMRR says the dinner will bring together the leaders and stakeholders of rehabilitation research, including members of Congress, current leaders in the Department of Health & Human Services, and representatives from the professions related to rehabilitation research.
Following the celebration dinner, Clark and Lin participated in a symposium on December 13 with seven NCMRR-funded scientists discussing their research endeavors and sharing the latest advances in medical rehabilitation research.
For 2 decades, NCMRR has led federal efforts in medical rehabilitation research and helped enhance the lives of people with disabilities. NCMRR actively supports research, trains investigators in national career development efforts, and advances the field of rehabilitation research. Occupational therapy research has benefited from NCMRR grants and federal funds over the past 20 years.
Despite 2 decades of discoveries and advances that have improved health outcomes for people with disabilities, NCMRR says it is just the beginning. Due to an aging population and one in five Americans affected by some type of disability, the need for basic, clinical, and translational advances in research will continue to increase.
Occupational therapy practitioners continue to benefit from the work of NCMRR as recipients of grants and as principal investigators in NCMRR-funded studies. AOTA looks forward to many more decades of innovative medical rehabilitation research.
Stephanie Yamkovenko is AOTA’s staff writer.
