Nancy Lowenstein, MS, OTR/L, BCPR

Clinical Associate Professor

Phone:617-358-1064/617-353-6569
nlowe@bu.edu
Curriculum Vitae

Education

• 1984 – 1987 Boston University, Boston, MA.
  Master of Science: Occupational Therapy
• 1975 – 1977 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
  Master of Arts: Art Therapy.
• 1972 – 1975 Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
  Bachelor of Arts; psychology

Courses Taught

SAR-OT317 Professional Preparation Seminar for Occupational Therapy

Preparation for the OT graduate professional program through participation in a practicum experience and critical discussion. Emphasis on developing independent and reflective learning, critical reasoning skills, and professional behaviors required for effective participation in graduate-level curriculum. Students will examine key issues in health and disability, culture, and values as they influence occupational therapy practice. Includes both a seminar and practicum component. Junior students in the BS/MSOT program only.

SAR-OT500 Integrative Seminar I

This is the first in a four-seminar sequence. It is designed to develop and enhance clinical observation and reasoning by integrating knowledge and skills from previous educational and work experiences and from concurrent OT courses with weekly fieldwork experiences. This seminar focuses on reasoning related to topics including professional socialization, ethical practice, group dynamics, analysis and adaptation of activities, occupational performance across the life course, client-centered and evidence-based practice, as they relate to working with persons and populations of all ages in a variety of OT practice contexts. The professional portfolio is introduced. Self-directed and collaborative learning, class participation, and reflective journaling are essential aspects of this seminar.

SAR-OT524 Introduction to the OT Process

This course introduces students to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Process of intervention. Through collaborative learning, students will experience the process of evaluation, intervention planning and implementation, and discharge for occupation-based, wellness interventions. Students will learn to administer the COPM, support their interventions with evidence, practice interviewing and therapeutic use of self, and develop clinical reasoning skills related to OT practice.

SAR-OT538 Assistive Technology

This course provides a lecture- and laboratory-based introduction to the use of assistive technologies and related issues, such as funding and legislation. It is designed to provide a basic understanding of various types of technologies, user populations, and environments.

SAR-OT566 Client Factors and Occupational Performance

This companion course to OT565 Skills-2 provides students the knowledge and resources needed for effective clinical reasoning about occupation-based evaluation and intervention applying the biomechanical and neurorehabilitation frames of reference. Topics covered include diagnostic conditions and disorders, models and theories of practice, research evidence, and practice contexts/environments. Content is applied to individuals living with long-term conditions who are most likely to benefit from remediation interventions to enable performance of meaningful occupations, e.g., ADL/IADLs, work, education, play, leisure, and social participation.

Add OT 502

Electives:

SAR-HP722 Health Management For Older Adults: Developing An Interdisciplinary Approach

Health management for older adults is a major issue in contemporary society. Policy, economics, organizational structure, and clinical care are intermingled in responding on societal, institutional, and clinical levels. This course will challenge the inquisitive and creative student to approach the health of the older adult by addressing these complex issues. It will focus on effective outcomes and understanding the range of roles professionals may adopt. It will provide the knowledge base and skill set necessary for interdisciplinary professional practice.

SAR-OT736-L1 Independent Study

Students are welcome to work with Professor Lowenstein in an area of interest to them as an Independent Study. Student projects have included:

• Creating a pilot Parenting Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis; based on this pilot creating a finished course to offer through the National MS Society
• • Researched the evidence on the effectiveness of Aquatic programs for rehabilitation
• Created adapted games for Perkins School for the Blind out of Triwall (cardboard box material) and other recycled materials
• Worked with Brigham and Woman’s Hospital quality assurance and nursing program to develop a protocol for activity assistants to use in order to reduce restraint use.
• Work with an individual post-stroke, on regaining hand function.

Scholarly, Research, and/or Practice Interests

Prof Lowenstein teaches in the entry-level Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program as a clinical professor. She continues clinical practice at the Mount Auburn Hospital Multiple Sclerosis Care Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and private practice in home care. Prof Lowenstein is actively involved with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s New England Chapter, serving on three Advisory Boards and leading multiple programs for consumers and professionals. In 2005, she was inducted into the National MS Society Volunteer Hall of Fame. She is the author of Fatigue Management in Multiple Sclerosis, a project that involved MSOT students in co-authoring chapters, coauthor of Adult Case Studies through the Health Care Continuum: A workbook for the occupational therapy student. Prof Lowenstein has also co-written chapters in The Successful Fieldwork Student, edited by Karen Sladyk; Developing an Interdisciplinary Approach to Health Management for Older Adults, edited by David Satin; Teaching strategies for health education and health promotion: working with patients, families and communities. Edited by Lowenstein, Foord-May & Romano, and Neurorehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease: An Evidence Based Treatment Model edited by Marilyn Trail, et al. In addition, she is certified by American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) as a Physical Rehabilitation Specialist, served as the chair of the Physical Rehabilitation Specialty Certification panel for AOTA, and currently is a reviewer for board certification in Physical Rehabilitation. Prof Lowenstein serves as the Vice-Chair of the Allied Health Licensing Board for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Current Clinical Practice:

• Mt Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA
  Occupational Therapist for the Multiple Sclerosis Care Center
• Private Practice: Provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare and MassHealth
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New England Chapter
  Waltham, MA
• Adjunct Professor; Harvard Medical School , Spring semester

Scholarship – Recent Presentations

Lowenstein, N. Safriel, L, Gabai, H, Burtner, P. Health and Wellness in Physical Rehabilitation. Workshop, American Occupational Therapy Association, Annual Conference, Charolotte, N.C. April, 27-30 2006

Lowenstein, N., Yarret-Slater, D. 10 Easy Ways to Lose Your License or Commit an Ethical Violation. Presentation, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy, Annual Conference, Westford, MA. Oct, 21 2005.

Berger, S., Brown, M., Kaldenberg, J., Lowenstein, N. Board & Specialty Certification: What’s it all about? Presentation, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy, Annual Conference, Westford, MA. Oct, 21 2005.

Guiod, L., Lowenstein, N. The Role of OT for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Marlborough, MA, October 29, 2004.

Berger, S., Lowenstein, N.. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: HELP. Presentation. Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy, Annual Conference, Marlborough, MA. November 21, 2003

Berger, S., Lowenstein, N. Analyzing and Adapting: Making Something From Almost Nothing. Paper. American Occupational Therapy Association, Annual Conference, Miami, FL, May 5, 2002.

Berger, S, Lowenstein, N. Analyzing and Adapting: Making Something From Almost Nothing. Workshop, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy, Annual Conference, Marlborough, MA. November 1, 2001.

Lowenstein, N. The ADA & Fieldwork: Let’s Talk About It! Presentation, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Marlborough, MA., October, 9, 19

Lowenstein, N. Level II Fieldwork: Alternative Models-Pros and Cons. Presentation, Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy, Annual Conference, Marlborough, MA. November 13, 1997.

Scholarship – Recent Publications

Lowenstein, N. (2008). Teaching with Groups, in Lowenstein, A., D, Foord-May, L., Romano, J (eds) Teaching strategies for health education and health promotion: working with patients, families and communities. Boston, Bartlett & Jones.

Lowenstein, N. (2008). Progressive Neurological Disorders, in Lowenstein, A., D, Foord-May, L., Romano, J (eds) Teaching strategies for health education and health promotion: working with patients, families and communities. Boston, Bartlett & Jones.

Lowenstein, N., Tickle-Degnen, L. (2008). Developing an occupational therapy home program for patients with Parkinson’s disease, in Trail, M, Protas, E., Lai, E. (Eds) Neurorehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease: An evidence based treatment model. Thorofare, N.J., Slack, Inc.

Lowenstein, N. (2008). Introduction: Health Management of Older Adults and disciplinary working relationships: Section C: Teaching Interdisciplinary Teamwork, in Satin, D (Ed) Health Management for Older Adults: developing an interdisciplinary approach. New York, Oxford University Press.

Buchwald, L, Lowenstein, N., Leahy, K., Nutile, S., Pisani, A. (2008). Functioning Interdisciplinary Teams: The Mount Auburn Hospital Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, in Satin, D (Ed) Health Management for Older Adults: developing an interdisciplinary approach. New York, Oxford University Press.

Duncombe, L, Lowenstein, N. (2002). Professional Behaviors. In K Sladyk, (Ed.), The Successful Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Student (pp23-32). Thorofare, N.J. Slack, Inc.

Publications: Peer-reviewed

Lowenstein, N. A self-management approach to Parkinson’s Disease. OT Practice, 14:9, 14-16.

Publications: Monographs

Moskowitz, S, Lowenstein, N. (2005). Assistive Technology. Waltham, Ma. National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New England Chapter Clinical Newsletter.

Scholarship – Recent Activities

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New England Chapter

Professor Lowenstein has been actively involved in the New England Chapter of the NMSS for over 10 years. She has taught wellness courses in fatigue management, empowerment, parenting, managing cognitive changes and adapting the environment for individuals with MS. Additionally, she serves on a variety of advisory boards to the New England Chapter and is the only member of the Rehabilitation professions on the Chapters Clinical Advisory Committee. Professor Lowenstein’s volunteer work for the Chapter was recognized by the National organization in 2005 with induction into the Volunteer Hall of Fame, followed, that same year, with recognition by the New England Chapter as a Volunteer of the Year. Professor Lowenstein frequently includes students in projects with the New England Chapter.

Master Trainer for Gateway to Wellness

Professor Lowenstein is one of 12 individuals who were trained by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to train Gateway to Wellness leaders/facilitators.

Roster of Accreditation Evaluators of ACOTE

Professor Lowenstein was a member of the Roster of Accreditation Evaluators for the American Occupational Therapy Association’ Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education for 9 years. She reviewed self-study documents for Occupational Therapy Programs requesting initial accreditation or programs undergoing reaccreditation. Additionally, she has assisted the Chair with accreditation issues for the BU Occupational Therapy Program.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA):

2007: Health & Wellness Certification Ad Hoc panel for AOTA’s Commission on Continuing Competence and Professional Development (CCCPD). Panel asked to explore the feasibility of developing a specialty or Board certification in Health & Wellness. Panel met from Oct –Dec 2007 by phone conference (final report in supporting materials.)

2005- present: Certification reviewer for Physical Rehabilitation Board Certification for AOTA. (Letters of acknowledgment in supporting materials)

2002 – 2005: Chair for Physical Rehabilitation Board panel, a subcommittee of the AOTA Specialties Board which is under the purview of the Commission on CCCPD. The panel met for 1 ½ years, with phone conference and one face to face meeting to developed a Board Specialty Certification in Physical Rehabilitation, which uses a portfolio based review process. The panel developed the competency and indicators for the Certification (see supporting materials)

1997- 2007: Roster of Accreditation Evaluators. Review academic programs for compliance with ACOTE standards for OT & OTA Education. Attend on- site visits as part of 2-person team to evaluation programs compliance with Standards or act as third reader on self-study. Provide input to on-site team.

2000- 2001: Member of Ad Hoc Strategic Planning group on revenue streams; task group of Executive Board to develop strategic plan for AOTA

Professional Activities

• New England Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society:
• Wellness Instructor and Trainer
• Member Clinical Advisory Committee
• Member Chapter Programs Committee
• American Occupational Therapy Association; Roster of Accreditation Evaluators
• AOTA Board Certified Neurorehabilitation Specialist
• Reviewer for Slack, Inc. for Occupational Therapy texts
• Member of American Occupational Therapy Association
• Member of Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Association

Awards and Honors

• Inductee to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Volunteer Hall of Fame, 2005
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society-New England Chapter Volunteer of the Year, 2005
• American Occupational Therapy Association, Service Commendations, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• Included in the 2010 edition (the 64th) of Marquis’s Who’s Who in America

Licenses and Certifications:

• 2001 California State University, Northridge.
  College of Extended Learning and Center on Disabilities
  Certificate of Advance Professional Development: Assistive Technology Application.
• National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) Occupational Therapist, Registered
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts, License # OT 1890