M. Irma Alvarado, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Professor, School of Occupational Therapy
Joined Brenau University: 1996
EDUCATION
Associate Applied Sciences, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX
Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX
Master of Arts, Behavioral Sciences, University of Houston, Clear Lake, TX
Doctor of Philosophy, Child and Family Development, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
RECENT AWARDS
Service Commendations
American Occupational Therapy Association, 2019
Georgia Occupational Therapy Association, 2016-2018
Roster of Fellows – Educator, Evidence-Informed Practitioner, Entrepreneur, Cross-Cultural Advocate American Occupational Therapy Association, 2018
Sealy Society member. University of Texas Medical Branch, Recognizes benefactors who make significant contributions to the university in a given calendar year. 2016
Distinguished Alumnae School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 1994
PRACTICE EXPERTISE & SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS
Graduate Certificate Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies
Sensory Integration Praxis Test Certification
Therapeutic Listening
Pediatric Occupational Therapy – Early Intervention, School System, Burn Injury, Private Practice
COURSES OFFERED
OT613 Research Seminar I
OT614 Research Seminar II
OT 711 Research Supervision
OT 721 Thesis
OT 990 Capstone Project and Seminar
HS 350/550 Global Health Perspectives
RESEARCH INTERESTS
International Field Work
Applied Research. Electronic Auditory Stimulation effect; Auditory Processing/Sensitivity/Listening therapy
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Burch, E., Allison, J., Cook, D., Wolkow, N., Stockton, J., Espino, I., Alvarado, M.I., The Effect of the Electronic Auditory Stimulation Effect Application (EASe app) With Individuals 11 to 27 Years of Age with Sensory Processing Deficits, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July 2015, Vol. 69, 6911515233p1. Doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.69S1-PO7082
Alvarado, M. I., (2004). Mucho camino: The experiences of two undocumented Mexican mother participating in their child’s early intervention program. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(5), 521-530.
Alvarado, M. I. & Stoneman, Z. (2004, March), “I don’t want my children to have to toil and struggle to live.” Immigrant families: Stories of young children with disabilities: Countering stereotypes about undocumented Mexican immigrant families. Institute on Human Development and Disabilities. The University of Georgia, Athens
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
Virtual Lighting Talk, Todd, A., Alvarado, M. I. Global Occupational Therapy: Yes, It Can Be Sustainable (June 2019) Twelfth Global Studies Conference: The “End of History” 30 Years On: Globalization Then and Now, Krakow, Poland
Poster Presentation, Alvarado, M.I., Todd, A., Shotwell, M. Developing, Sustaining, and Evaluating International Field Work in Yucatan, Mexico, (April 2019). American Occupational Therapy Association Conference & Expo, New Orleans, LA.
Poster Presentation, Todd, A., Alvarado, M. I., Garcia-Leonard, A, Patton, L. Student implementation of occupational therapy services in an inpatient psychiatric hospital in Merida, Mexico; Using the Hildago Model: A collaborative approach (May, 2018), World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Capetown, South Africa,
Panel Discussion – Role of Professional and Administrative Staff, Genie Charvet, OTD, OTR/L President, Washington Occupational Therapy Association, Karen C. Polastri, IOM Executive Director, Occupational Therapy Association of California, M. Irma Alvarado, Ph.D, OTR/L President, Georgia Occupational Therapy Association; Affiliated State Association Presidents, 2018 ASAP Annual Meeting, Pre-conference Meeting April 17, 2018, AOTA Annual Conference, April 19-2018
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
World Federation of Occupational Therapy, Member 2017 – Present
American Occupational Therapy Association Affiliated State Association Presidents, AOTA Member 2016 – 2019, Member 1974 – Present
President, Georgia Occupational Therapy Association 2016 – 2019, GOTA Member 1994 – Present
Peer Reviewer, Annual Conference (2018-2019). American Occupational Therapy Association. Bethesda, MD.