Laura Vogtle, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, has been elected as director at large of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. Her three-year term began September 15, 2012.
Vogtle is a professor and director of the occupational therapy post-professional program in the UAB Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health Professions. Her recent research has focused on the use of physical activity interventions for the prevention of secondary conditions, particularly pain and fatigue, in adults with cerebral palsy. She has worked with researchers at Lakeshore Foundation on projects related to this topic. Vogtle is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, and the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association.
Vogtle’s responsibilities on the board include serving as a liaison with certain committees assigned to her and relaying board decisions. The academy was founded in 1947 as a professional organization devoted to interdisciplinary physician education. Over the years, membership was made open to all who have appropriate background, training and experience in the field relevant to care of individuals with disabilities. Current membership is more than 1,200.