Peer Mentorship in Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injury Improves Outcomes

Date of Recording: April 2018

Peer mentorship opportunities within rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries will be discussed and a successful mentorship program described. Opportunities to replicate efforts and begin peer programs in home institutions will be presented.

Webinar participants should be able to:

• Understand use of peer mentorship as a form of person-centered care delivery.
• Realize value of peers in providing rehabilitation as demonstrated by increases in self-efficacy and rehospitalization days post discharge.
• Learn various approaches to providing peer mentorship during rehabilitation.
• Develop ideas for using peer mentorship in home environments.

Presenter Biographies: 

Michael L. Jones, Ph.D., is vice president for Research and Technology and founding director of the Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute at Shepherd Center (www.shepherd.org) in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also co-director of two rehabilitation engineering research centers with partners Georgia Tech, Duke University, and Northeastern University. A behavior analyst by training, Michael’s research interests address the design and management of programs and services that promote full inclusion of people with disabilities. His work includes applications of universal design, information and communication technology, and behavior management strategies to promote health, wellness, and community participation. Prior to coming to Shepherd Center in 1996, Michael was executive director of the Center for Universal Design at NC State University. Michael also served as training director and associate director of the Research and Training Center on Independent Living at University of Kansas from 1982-1988.

Julie Gassaway, M.S., RN is the director of health and wellness research and a senior clinical research scientist at the Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute at Shepherd Center. She has been involved in clinical outcomes research for over 25 years; the past ten have focused on physical rehabilitation. Research interests revolve around improving the transition process from acute rehabilitation to home environments. 

Julie presents research findings at many national rehabilitation conferences, has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, and serves as a reviewer and occasional guest editor for several rehabilitation journals.