Brenau University

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.