Saint Francis University

Expertise Areas in Curriculum Include:
Industrial Rehabilitation
Biomechanics/Goniometrics
Back School/Body Mechanics
Ergonomics/Job Analyses

Research Interests Include:
Effective edema control for patients who have experienced a CVA
Ergonomics & technology and their impact on learning in 
   technologically-equipped and traditional Classrooms.
Technological advances for dairy & grain farmers with disabilities

Professional Involvement:     
Member, American Occupational Therapy Association
Member, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association
Past Chair, Commission on Education for  Pennsylvania Occupational    
   Therapy Association
Operations Coordinator for Pennsylvania Special Olympics   

Expertise Areas in Curriculum Include:
OT Approaches in Geriatrics
Psychosocial OT Approaches
Leadership and Management in OT
Occupation-Based Theory
Evidenced Based Practice
Research
Non-Traditional And Emerging areas of OT

Research Interests Include:
Cultural adaptability and student development
OT with technology and home assessments

Professional Involvement:
Member of AOTA and POTA
Alternate RA Representative to ATOA
Former member of the Board for Advanced and Specialty Certifications
Certified Infant Massage Instructor
Board Certified in Mental Health
Presentationas at both the state and national level
Certified Level II Reiki Practitioner
Advisor to Pi Theta Epsilon (National OT Honor Society)

Amy Hudkins
MHS,  COTA/L

Instructor / OT Recruitment Coordinator
814-472-2792
ahudkins@francis.edu
 

Expertise Areas in Curriculum Include:
Activity Analysis / Therapeutic Intervention
Psychosocial OT Approaches and Interventions
OT Seminar (OT 301/OT 302)
Introduction to OT (OT 102/OT 201)
Management and Leadership in OT
Professional Behaviors

Research Interests Include:
Health and wellness promotion in OT

Professional Involvement:
Member of AOTA and POTA
OT Organization Mentor
Certified Level II Reiki Practitioner
Presentations at local and state level 

            M. Patricia Hurley                 
O.T. Department Secretary 
                   814-472-3899                 
mphurley@francis.edu 
 

Member of Saint Francis University Safety Committee for 15+ years.
Has attended a variety of Continuing Education Courses

Dr. Edward Mihelcic
MA, OTR/L
    
MOT Program Director
Research Coordinator
814-472-2760
      emihelcic@francis.edu
 

Expertise Areas in Curriculum Include:
Hand Rehabilitation
Biomechanics/Kinesiology
Leadership/Management
Applied Clinical Research

Research Interests Include:
Retention of allied healthcare majors
Leadership in healthcare
Splinting biceps tendon repairs
Upper extremity related injuries

Professional Involvement:
Member of AOTA and POTA
Maintains 20 hours of clinical practice per month in Hand Rehabilitation
Program Consultant at Indiana Department of Health & Human Services
 

Lorie Rowles
OTD, OTR/L 

Assistant Professor
Curriculum Coordinator
814-472-2749
lrowles@francis.edu

Expertise Areas in Curriculum Include:
OT Approaches in Neuro Rehab
OT Approaches in Pediatrics
OT Approaches with Sensory Processing

Research Interests Include:
Playground accessibility
Nutritional therapy
Distance education and allied health professionals
Toy lending library and guided play sessions

Professional Involvement:
Member of AOTA and POTA
Day of Reflection Committee Member
Relay for Life Participant

Dr. Donald E. Walkovich
MS, OTR/L

Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences  
Department Chair & Associate Professor
   814-472-3899
     dwalkovich@francis.edu

Expertise Areas in Curriculum Include:
Administration / Management
Leadership
Ethics
OT Seminar

Research Interests Include:
Telemedicine/technology
Home assessments & telemedicine
Alternative & complementary medicine

Professional Involvement:
Past President of POTA
President of POTPAC
Member of AOTA and American Society of Hand Therapists
Numerous Professional presentations at Local, State and National Level
Numerous Faculty Committees
Level II Reiki Practitioner