Bridgett Piernik-Yoder, Ph.D., OTR, has been named interim chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions Dean David C. Shelledy, Ph.D., has announced. She succeeds Karin Barnes, Ph.D., OTR, who is stepping down as department chair in order to focus on her teaching, research and scholarship endeavors as a senior faculty member.
Dr. Piernik-Yoder, an associate professor, is an 18-year veteran of the department. She has served on numerous committees, including the admissions, curriculum, and Paul Ellsworth Scholarship committees. Her expertise includes the areas of rehabilitation outcomes, community service learning and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
She was recently the recipient of the 2016 School of Health Professions Shirlyn B. McKenzie Teaching Excellence Award.