Spatial Neglect Continuing Education Opportunity

Learners will be able to:

1. Describe what spatial neglect is including at least one subtype
2. Define the prevalence of left and right-sided neglect
3. Describe the consequences of spatial neglect
4. Identify assessments used to detect spatial neglect (including the KF-NAP) and explain why it is key to use more than one
5. Describe specific evidence-based treatments available to treat spatial neglect, including the KF-PAT

Kimberly Hreha, EdD, OTR/L

Dr. Hreha graduated from Misericordia University with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. She worked at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation as a clinician on the stroke unit, for 11 years eventually collaborating with the Kessler Foundation scientists on stroke research. This is when she co-developed the Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP®) and Prism Adaptation Treatment (KF-PAT®). She then pursued a research doctorate at Teachers College, Columbia University. After, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Washington and then was supported as a K12 scholar in the Rehabilitation Research Career Development Program, at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She now works as an Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy as well as Ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on improving the visual and cognitive health needs of aging stroke survivors. The overall purpose of her lab is to improve functional outcomes and reduce disparities for people living with spatial neglect and/or vision impairments. She is principle investigator of a K01 award from NCMRR.

Peii (Peggy) Chen, PhD

Dr. Chen is a senior research scientist and the intellectual property liaison at Kessler Foundation and a research associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University. Dr. Chen obtained her doctoral degree at the Pennsylvania State University, where she was mentored by Prof. J. Toby Mordkoff and Prof. Cathleen Moore. Trained as an experimental cognitive psychologist, Dr. Chen started out her postdoctoral career in 2007 and became a neurorehabilitation scientist with the focus on spatial cognition and its disorders after brain injury, especially stroke. Dr. Chen is devoting her career to the study of spatial neglect and its related deficits, real-life impacts, and solutions. Dr. Chen is a recipient of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)’s 2017 Distinguished Switzer Research Fellowship. She is the lead developer of the Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP®) and Prism Adaptation Treatment (KF-PAT®).