Clinical Professor Ellen Cohn Wins Research Award from AOTF

(Boston) – Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College Clinical Professor, Ellen Cohn received the A. Jean Ayres research award for her “scholarship and service [which] has enhanced the understanding of occupational engagement patterns of children and youth, the experiences of parents of children with special needs, research methodologies within occupational science and occupational therapy practice, and clinical reasoning as an element of reflective practice.”

The award, established in 1988 and granted annually by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), is given to individuals who have “demonstrated sustained commitment to the application, development, or testing of theory in occupational therapy”. The AOTF gives the award in honor of A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, who contributed to the profession of occupational therapy through her concentration on developing theory in support of practice.

As a Clinical Professor of occupational therapy at BU Sargent College, Dr. Cohn teaches courses in the areas of occupational therapy intervention; clinical reasoning; evidence-based practice; group leadership; and critical analysis of theory and research in health, adaptation and disability. Additionally, she conducts research on parents’ perspectives of living with and parenting children with a range of diagnostic conditions.

Dr. Cohn is a current member of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy Editorial Board and a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). She has published papers in a variety of journals in the areas of clinical reasoning, fieldwork education and supervision, and consumer perspectives. Two of her most recent projects include studies on culture and communication in hypertension management, and conceptualizations of friendships in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Other accomplishments include receiving BU Sargent College’s 2010 Whitney Powers Award for Teaching Excellence and the AOTA Service Award in 2001 and 2002.

“Boston University is proud to have such an exceptional and dedicated member of our faculty,” says Dr. Wendy Coster, Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy. “Dr. Cohn’s commitment to her work has resulted in the advancement of the field of occupational therapy and exhibits her worthiness of this significant award.”