We are a dedicated group of professionals making a difference in rehabilitation science in Haiti.
Linda Robinson, PT, MSPT is a physical therapist at Ferrell-Whited Physical Therapy, with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from the Ohio State University. She has extensive experience in orthopedics and sports medicine, having practiced at Allied PT at Akron Children’s Sports Medicine and the Northeast Ohio Sports Medicine Institution. Linda is certified in Pilates, dry needling, blood flow restriction (BFR), and Kinesiotaping, and has mentored countless students pursuing careers in physical therapy.
Linda’s commitment to Haiti began in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, when she traveled as part of a medical missions team to both community clinics and remote locations. She witnessed firsthand the profound need for ongoing rehabilitation services and recognized that sustainable impact required training local therapists. She connected with Dean Janet O’Flynn and began teaching with the first graduating class of FSRL. She was able to bring the students with her to various mobile clinic sites and observed firsthand the power of patients receiving care in their own language and culture. Since 2015, she has taught each cohort, organized the FSRL English Club, and continues to mentor students and graduates who provide critical care to communities across Haiti.
Linda joined the HRF Board in 2017 and serves on the Liaison and Donor Engagement Committees. Beyond her board work, she mentors high school and college pre-PT students.
Outside of her professional commitments, Linda enjoys running, hiking, gardening, working out, and reading.
Emily Steedman, OTR/L, RAC-CT is an occupational therapist, healthcare executive, and educator with extensive expertise in post-acute care, organizational leadership, and innovative clinical programming. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University and has built a career dedicated to advancing rehabilitation services and improving quality of life for individuals across healthcare settings.
Emily has been involved in rehabilitation education and service initiatives in Haiti since 2001, volunteering in both rural and urban communities. One of her most meaningful contributions was developing and teaching the Team and Patient Communication course at the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL) for the first class of occupational and physical therapy graduates.
Throughout her career, Emily has held clinical, operational, and executive leadership roles within rehabilitation and senior living organizations, including C-suite positions responsible for driving clinical strategy, program development, and organizational growth. She is widely recognized for designing and launching innovative rehabilitation and wellness programs—including outpatient services, diagnostics, and interdisciplinary wellness initiatives—focused on improving clinical outcomes and expanding access to proactive, prevention-oriented care.
Emily is the founder of 10Eleven Life and the creator of Longevity Land, initiatives dedicated to advancing prevention, functional health, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies that support health, wellness, and independence throughout life. She is also a national speaker and adjunct professor in occupational therapy programs.
As a member of the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board, Emily contributes her clinical expertise and leadership experience to support the organization’s mission of strengthening rehabilitation education in Haiti and advancing sustainable, locally led rehabilitation services that improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
David Morrisette is an experienced physical therapist, educator, and researcher with a distinguished career in rehabilitation education and clinical practice. He currently serves as Emeritus Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and holds adjunct faculty appointments at Tennessee State University and the University of the Cumberlands. He also serves as visiting faculty at Sun Yat-sen University Third Affiliated Hospital in Guangzhou, China, contributing to international education and collaboration in physical therapy.
Dr. Morrisette spent much of his academic career at MUSC, where he was a tenured professor and served for 14 years as Director of the Division of PT. His expertise includes orthopaedic physical therapy, manual therapy, human physiology, and interprofessional education. He has published peer-reviewed research in journals such as the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Spine, and Experimental Brain Research, and he serves as a reviewer for several rehabilitation journals. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).
Dr. Morrisette has received numerous recognitions for his teaching, research, and professional service, including the Lisa Saladin Lectureship Award from the South Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association and multiple Teaching Excellence Awards from MUSC.
He joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2016 after volunteering as a visiting instructor at the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne and has returned to teach there multiple times. He previously served as President of the HRF Board. Dr. Morrisette is deeply committed to advancing sustainable rehabilitation education in Haiti and supporting the development of OT and PT programs led by Haitian professionals.
Diana Honorat-Elorreaga, OTD, OTR/L is an OT practitioner, educator, and advocate committed to advancing rehabilitation education and strengthening the OT workforce in Haiti and beyond. She serves as an Associate Professor at Oklahoma Baptist University. Dr. Honorat-Elorreaga earned her Post-Professional Doctorate in OT from St. Catherine University, a MS in OT from Florida Gulf Coast University, and a BS in Community Health from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Dr. Honorat-Elorreaga has focused much of her professional work on education, community outreach, and international collaboration. She has presented nationally and internationally on the recruitment and retention of occupational therapy graduates in Haiti and has served in multiple leadership roles within the Haitian Association of Occupational Therapists. She also self-published a book on interpersonal neurobiology and attachment for children and parents and has developed workshops on these topics for professional conferences. In addition, she trained as a doula to support non-English-speaking Haitian families navigating hospital and clinical settings.
Her contributions to the profession have been recognized with several honors, including the AOTA Early Career Scientist Award, the Soaring Eagle Alumni Award from Florida Gulf Coast University, and recognition from the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL), where she was named Godmother of the Class of 2026 and served as a consultant during the WFOT re-approval process.
Dr. Honorat-Elorreaga joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2024. She is passionate about developing sustainable rehabilitation education in Haiti so that Haitian OTs and PTs can serve their communities and strengthen healthcare systems locally.
Outside of work, Diana enjoys spending time with her husband and children, gardening, and engaging in creative crafts.
Janis Handte is a retired employee benefits consultant whose career focused on health care analytics and strategic consulting. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s College (Maryland), a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science from the University of Chicago, and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy & Management from Columbia University.
From 2006 to 2023, Janis served as Director and Senior Director in the Research and Innovation Center at Willis Towers Watson in New York. She led cross-functional teams in developing and evaluating consulting products, conducted advanced statistical analyses, authored white papers, and built reporting systems supporting more than 110 clients with over two million covered employee lives. She brings expertise in financial stewardship, data-driven strategy, and long-term planning to the HRF Board.
Janis has been involved with Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation since its founding in 2014. A former Board President, she now serves as Treasurer and as a member of the Finance and Construction Committees. After teaching at FSRL, she became deeply committed to strengthening sustainable, Haitian-led rehabilitation education.
Outside of board service, Janis enjoys biking, swimming, pickleball, and gardening. She is married and has two children.
Renee Brown, PT, PhD, serves as President of the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board of Directors. She earned her PhD in Neuroscience from University of Texas at Dallas, a MS in Neurological Rehabilitation from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a BS in Physical Therapy from Daemen University. She currently serves as Senior Associate Dean for Research and Community Engagement in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Belmont University.
Throughout her career, Dr. Brown has held numerous academic leadership roles, including Chair of the School of Physical Therapy at Belmont University and faculty and administrative appointments at Vanderbilt University, Ithaca College, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She has published and presented extensively on interprofessional healthcare education and neurologic rehabilitation outcomes. Her global experience includes participation in rehabilitation service initiatives in Guatemala, Honduras, Ghana, India, and Bangladesh.
Dr. Brown joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2016 and brings deep expertise in academic leadership, international rehabilitation education, and program development. She is passionate about building sustainable rehabilitation systems in Haiti by educating Haitian occupational and physical therapists to serve their own communities. She believes therapy requires ongoing engagement and that developing local professionals creates a culturally responsive, sustainable model of care — a “hand up” rather than a handout.
Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family.
David Merlo is an occupational educator, practitioner, and advocate dedicated to advancing recovery-oriented mental health services and helping people live meaningful, self-directed lives. His OT journey began over 30 years ago volunteering at Buffalo Psychiatric Center, using horticulture to engage patients in therapeutic greenhouse and gardening activities. That experience—along with his work in a Clubhouse Model community mental health program—shaped his belief in the transformative power of meaningful activity, community participation, and recovery.
David has held leadership roles in OT education and mental health. He was Managing Director of Restoration Society, Inc., a peer-operated mental health agency in Buffalo, and founding Program Director of the OT Assistant program at Bryant & Stratton College in Rochester, leading program development, curriculum design, and accreditation. Earlier, he was a professor and fieldwork coordinator at Erie Community College. He has presented nationally and published on mental health practice, assistive technology, and OT approaches that promote wellness, recovery, and community participation. David also served on the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Board of Directors, shaping national OT leadership and advocacy.
David joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2021 and currently serves as Vice President and on the Digital Technology Committee. He is committed to strengthening rehabilitation education in Haiti and supporting Haitian professionals in building a sustainable workforce. He also serves on the advisory board of Caravan for Life–USA, advancing psychiatric rehabilitation initiatives in Karachi, Pakistan.
Andrea Trombley, PT, DPT is a physical therapist, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping individuals build strength, mobility, and lifelong wellness. She is the owner of Andrea Trombley PT, LLC and the creator of Strong Women, Strong Bones, a program designed to help women improve bone health, strength, and functional independence through targeted exercise and education. Dr. Trombley earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont, a Master of Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica.
Dr. Trombley has extensive clinical experience across outpatient rehabilitation and wellness settings. She previously served as a staff physical therapist at Evolution Physical Therapy & Yoga in Burlington, Vermont; the Work Enhancement and Rehabilitation Center at Fletcher Allen Health Care; and Copley Hospital. Her work integrates evidence-based rehabilitation with movement and wellness practices, including therapeutic yoga. She has also contributed to academic research as a research coordinator and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science at the University of Vermont.
Dr. Trombley’s scholarly contributions include multiple research publications and conference presentations focused on movement system impairments and treatment approaches for low back pain. This work has helped advance understanding of how targeted exercise interventions can improve outcomes for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr. Trombley joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2022 after traveling to Haiti to teach physical therapy students at the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL). Inspired by the dedication of the students and the need for rehabilitation services, she is committed to supporting the development of sustainable OT and PT education in Haiti.
Outside of work, Andrea enjoys hiking, running, and promoting active, healthy lifestyles—particularly among older adults.
Dr. Renée Rains is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator in the School of Occupational Therapy at the University of Puget Sound. She earned her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center and her Master of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas Woman’s University. Her clinical experience spans pediatric practice across inpatient, outpatient, NICU, home health, and school-based settings. Since 2021, she has served as volunteer faculty at FSRL.
Dr. Rains’ work focuses on educational excellence, program development, and preparing practitioners for meaningful, community-responsive practice. She has presented nationally on transglobal education and innovative, evidence-based learning platforms in health professions education. She brings expertise in teaching, capstone coordination, program evaluation, and partnership-building to support HRF’s mission.
Her commitment to Haiti began through post-earthquake medical relief service in 2010 and 2013, experiences that deepened her belief in sustainable, locally led rehabilitation education. She joined the HRF Board in 2023 and serves as Secretary and Chair of the Donor & Volunteer Engagement Committee. Outside of work, she enjoys paddleboarding, hiking, travel, reading, and time with her daughter.
Cecile R. Auguste, PT, MBA is a physical therapist and healthcare administrator committed to advancing rehabilitation education and services in Haiti. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from National Taiwan University and an MBA in Healthcare Administration from Taipei Medical University, supported by prestigious scholarships from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF). Cecile currently works as a Physical Therapist Assistant with Powerback Rehabilitation and as an Administrative Coordinator at McLean Hospital, bringing both clinical and operational expertise to her work in healthcare.
Earlier in her career, Cecile served as Vice Dean and faculty member at the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL), where she contributed to the development of rehabilitation education in Haiti. She has also conducted research in global health, including publishing a study on willingness to pay for a cholera vaccine. Her professional strengths include clinical practice, teaching, multilingual communication, and community outreach.
A native of Haiti, Cecile is deeply committed to improving the lives of her fellow countrymen and women through sustainable health system development. She joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board four years ago and currently serves on the Development Committee, while also collaborating with FSRL administration through the Liaison Committee to strengthen partnerships and program growth.
Outside of her professional work, Cecile enjoys property management and entrepreneurship, sewing, coaching, meditation, travel, translation, and spending time with her family.
Catherine Manix Feintuch, PhD, is a biomedical infectious disease researcher and nonprofit leader with a strong background in global and public health. She earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her M.S., Ph.D., and C.P.H. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her doctoral field research in Malawi focused on pediatric cerebral malaria, and she has published multiple peer-reviewed papers on numerous infectious diseases. She brings scientific rigor, global health field experience, and communications expertise to the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board.
In high school, Dr. Feintuch read Mountains Beyond Mountains, about TB and HIV interventions in Haiti, and knew she wanted to dedicate her life to global health. Over time, she came to believe that lasting change comes not from short-term interventions, but from investing in local leadership and professional education. HRF’s mission to train Haitian occupational and physical therapists deeply resonates with her because it strengthens Haiti’s health system from within—expanding access to care while promoting dignity, equity, and long-term impact.
She joined the HRF Board in 2015, has served as Vice President, and leads donor engagement and communications efforts, including oversight of newsletters, annual reports, social media, and donor systems.
Outside of HRF, Catherine is active in church and community leadership, and youth mentoring.
Jean Marc Brissau serves as the Program Manager for International and Graduate Programs at Notre Dame Law School, a role he returned to after an eighteen-month tenure as a Staff Attorney at the school’s Global Human Rights Clinic. A 2008 alumnus of the Law School’s Human Rights LL.M. program, Brissau’s career at Notre Dame began well before his transition to the law school in 2020. For 12 years, he directed the Haiti Program through the Biology Department, leading nationwide health initiatives to combat iodine deficiency and lymphatic filariasis.
Beyond his administrative leadership, Brissau is a dedicated legal advocate and philanthropist. He served as a Legal Advisor to Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (UCREF) in 2017 and, that same year, founded a school in his hometown of Léogâne to provide education, healthcare, and nutrition to underprivileged children. His extensive service—including leadership roles within Rotary International and his critical disaster response following the 2010 Haiti earthquake—earned him the prestigious Notre Dame Presidential Award. Brissau resides with his wife, Marie Michelle, and their two sons.
Janet O’Flynn, OTD, FAOTA, is the founding dean of the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL) at the Université Épiscopale d’Haïti (UNEPH) and one of the founding members of the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation. Her academic preparation includes a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Occupational Therapy (OT) from University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in early childhood education from Syracuse University, and an OT doctorate from St. Catherine University. She also received an honorary doctorate from the Université Épiscopale d’Haïti.
Dr. O’Flynn’s commitment to Haiti began in 1997 when she first volunteered as an OT at St. Vincent’s Center in Croix-des-Bouquets. Seeing the need for locally trained rehabilitation professionals, she and her husband moved to Haiti in 2015 to establish Haiti’s first bachelor-level OT and PT programs—grounded in the belief that Haitians deserve culturally relevant, Haitian-led rehabilitation services.
Dr. O’Flynn’s commitment to Haiti began in 1997 when she first volunteered as an OT at St. Vincent’s Center in Croix-des-Bouquets. Seeing the need for locally trained rehabilitation professionals, she and her husband moved to Haiti in 2015 to establish Haiti’s first bachelor-level OT and PT programs—grounded in the belief that Haitians deserve culturally relevant, Haitian-led rehabilitation services.
A co-founder of HRF in 2015, she now serves as an ex-officio, non-voting board member. She has received Lifetime Achievement recognition from the New York State Occupational Therapy Association and both the International Service Award and Roster of Fellows from the American Occupational Therapy Association. Janet remains connected with St. Vincent’s Center through the organization, Friends of St. Vincent’s, that has a partnership with the adult residents. She is active in the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross and in her Episcopal parish in Montana. She enjoys reading, gardening, music, travel, and making things.
Bergson Louis-Jacques is a native of Haiti, a nation known for its resilience, vibrant culture, and deep sense of community. From an early age, he developed a strong compassion for serving others—an attribute that has shaped both his personal values and his professional path.
For more than twenty-six years, Bergson has dedicated his career to occupational therapy, working across a wide range of clinical settings. His experience includes neurosurgical rehabilitation, stroke (cerebrovascular accident) recovery, pediatrics, and geriatric care. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to helping individuals regain independence, restore function, and improve their overall quality of life.
In addition to his clinical work, Bergson has been actively involved in global health and humanitarian initiatives for over two decades. His service has taken him throughout Haiti, across several Caribbean islands, and into parts of Africa. Through his missionary work, he has participated in efforts to expand access to healthcare in underserved communities, including contributing to the development of a hospital in Haiti.
Guided by his faith, Bergson is deeply committed to living a life centered on service, compassion, and the ministry of love, joy, and peace. He is married and the proud father of three children, and together they share a dedication to faith, community, and caring for others.
Beatrice Hector, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, entrepreneur, and educator dedicated to supporting children and families through innovative, family-centered care. She earned her undergraduate degree in OT from Howard University and later completed her post-professional Doctor of OT in Executive Leadership at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Dr. Hector is founder and owner of Sensory Street Pediatric Occupational Therapy, P.C., a private practice she established in 2011 that provides pediatric OT services, family consultation, and support to educational settings. She also serves as a guest lecturer for OT programs at local universities.
Dr. Hector began her career at NYC Health + Hospitals, working at Kings County Hospital and Queens Hospital in acute care and rehabilitation settings. She later provided services across skilled nursing facilities, home care, and early intervention programs before spending 16 years with Nassau BOCES supporting students with diverse developmental and learning needs in school-based settings. She is the author of the children’s book Ooh That’s Icky!, which raises awareness about sensory challenges in children and earned recognition from Nassau County leadership. She also hosts the podcast Dr. Bea the OT, highlighting the experiences of families raising neurodivergent children.
Dr. Hector joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2020. Introduced to HRF through the late Dr. Yve Roseus, she felt a strong personal connection to the organization’s mission as someone of Haitian descent whose father is from Léogâne.
Outside of her professional work, Beatrice enjoys writing children’s books, designing miniatures, producing podcast content, graphic design, audio editing, and attending musicals and theatre.
Charlotte A. Chatto, PT, PhD is an educator committed to advancing rehabilitation education globally. She earned her Bachelor of Science in PT from Boston University, a Master of Science in Neurologic PT from the Medical College of Georgia, and a PhD in Applied Neuroscience from The Union Institute and University. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Global Health Practice from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Chatto currently serves as the Neuroscience Educational Lead for Clinical Pattern Recognition where she designs educational applications, and as Adjunct Faculty at Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL), where she teaches neuroanatomy and research.
Dr. Chatto has spent more than two decades educating future PTs at Augusta University, where she was named Professor Emerita and received Outstanding Clinical Educator Award and Distinguished Service Award. She most recently served as Professor at the University of the Cumberlands. She has delivered numerous national and international presentations on neurologic physical therapy and education.
Her commitment to Haiti began in 2011 while volunteering with Global Therapy Group, where she witnessed firsthand the limited access to rehabilitation services and the urgent need for locally trained professionals. Inspired by the vision of Haitian-led rehabilitation education, she now teaches neuroanatomy at FSRL and supports efforts toward program development and accreditation. Dr. Chatto joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2023 and serves on the Construction and FSRL Liaison Committees.
Outside of her professional work, Charlotte treasures time with her daughter, Emma Grace and loves walking in the forest.
Richard Sabel is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and an occupational therapist with the Wellness & Age-Friendly Care for Vitality and Empowerment (WAVE) Clinic. He earned his MA in Occupational Therapy from New York University, his MPH in Community Health Practice from the University of Texas School of Public Health, and his BA in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook. His professional background includes leadership roles in inpatient rehabilitation at Beth Israel and Mount Sinai Medical Centers, as well as service since 2018 on the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Occupational Therapy.
Richard has published professional articles and delivered national and international presentations on integrative occupational therapy approaches, including pelvic health, fall prevention, chronic pain, geriatrics, dementia care, mindfulness, tai chi, and restorative yoga. He is the recipient of multiple honors from the New York State Occupational Therapy Association, including the President’s Award and Honorary Membership Award, as well as the Dr. Donald Schert Faculty Excellence Award.
Inspired by a 2021 keynote address by Dr. Janet O’Flynn, Richard began volunteering with FSRL, where he now is one of the faculty for Assistive Technology and Environmental Adaptation and Geriatrics. He joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2024 and serves on the Digital Technology Committee, supporting sustainable, culturally grounded rehabilitation education led by Haitian professionals.
Zara Harris is a retired occupational therapist with a distinguished international career in clinical practice, education, and advocacy. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brunel University in London, United Kingdom. Over the course of her career, she held leadership roles including Head Occupational Therapist at the Maudsley Hospital in London and worked in a wide range of clinical and educational settings, including the Lab School of Washington, DC and several international schools. Zara has also maintained private occupational therapy practices in Argentina, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Germany, France, and the United States, bringing a global perspective to her work with children and families.
Throughout her career, Zara has presented widely on topics such as ADHD, handwriting, executive function, and time blindness at conferences including those of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), CHADD, ADDISS, and the Learning Disabilities Association. She has also published articles in WFOT Journal, Occupational Therapy Practice, and Attention Magazine. Her professional strengths include clinical teaching, international program development, and multilingual communication, including fluency in French.
Zara joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2017 and currently serves on the Executive Committee as Deputy Chair, as well as on the Building Committee. As a practicing Episcopalian, she feels a strong connection to the mission of FSRL within Université Épiscopale d’Haïti and is committed to strengthening rehabilitation education in the region. Outside of her professional work, Zara enjoys choral singing, quilting and crafting, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Dr. Julie Booth serves as the Director of the Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education and is a Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University. She earned both her Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) and Doctor ofPhysical Therapy (DPT) degrees from the University of Michigan and is a board-certified pediatric clinical specialist emeritus.
With over 30 years of experience as a physical therapist, Dr. Booth has provided care across the continuum and throughout the lifespan, with a primary focus on pediatrics. Her professional passions include pediatric physical therapy, adaptive sports and recreation, community engagement, and advancing interprofessional education. At Quinnipiac, she collaborates extensively with departments and schools to design and implement interprofessional programs, ranging from foundational learning experiences to community-based interprofessional clinics. She also teaches undergraduate courses in community engagement and adaptive sports and recreation.
Dr. Booth contributes internationally as a member of the Academic Committee for the Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne at the Episcopal University of Haiti, where she has helped develop and implement an interprofessional occupational and physical therapy curriculum. Additionally, she has participated in interprofessional research initiatives at the University of Connecticut Center for Aging. Her scholarly work includes more than 20 presentations at peer-reviewed conferences on interprofessional healthcare and collaborative practice, as well as two published journal articles.
Throughout her career, Zara has presented widely on topics such as ADHD, handwriting, executive function, and time blindness at conferences including those of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), CHADD, ADDISS, and the Learning Disabilities Association. She has also published articles in WFOT Journal, Occupational Therapy Practice, and Attention Magazine. Her professional strengths include clinical teaching, international program development, and multilingual communication, including fluency in French.
Zara joined the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2017 and currently serves on the Executive Committee as Deputy Chair, as well as on the Building Committee. As a practicing Episcopalian, she feels a strong connection to the mission of FSRL within Université Épiscopale d’Haïti and is committed to strengthening rehabilitation education in the region. Outside of her professional work, Zara enjoys choral singing, quilting and crafting, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mary Anne Kramer-Urner, PT, MPT, has worked for over 30 years as a clinician, manager and
consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has expertise in evaluation and treatment in post-
amputation rehabilitation, vestibular disorders, and a variety of neurological impairments; she
also has extensive experience developing protocols and mentoring staff and students in these
areas. Her connection with Haiti began just after the 2010 earthquake when Physicians for
Peace sent her to help develop a physical therapy clinic at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer’s new
Hanger Prosthetic & Orthotic clinic in Deschapelles, Haiti. There she met a prosthetic technician whom she supported to become a graduate of the FSRL PT & OT program. This allowed her to see the importance of the Haiti Rehab Foundation (HRF) in providing skilled Haitian PT and OT clinicians to be able to provide therapy to the people in their communities. She began teaching remotely at FSRL on the topics of Acute Care & Cardiopulmonary and Orthotics & Prosthetics. She has returned to Haiti seven times and hopes to be able to return in the future.
consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has expertise in evaluation and treatment in post-
amputation rehabilitation, vestibular disorders, and a variety of neurological impairments; she
also has extensive experience developing protocols and mentoring staff and students in these
areas. Her connection with Haiti began just after the 2010 earthquake when Physicians for
Peace sent her to help develop a physical therapy clinic at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer’s new
Hanger Prosthetic & Orthotic clinic in Deschapelles, Haiti. There she met a prosthetic technician whom she supported to become a graduate of the FSRL PT & OT program. This allowed her to see the importance of the Haiti Rehab Foundation (HRF) in providing skilled Haitian PT and OT clinicians to be able to provide therapy to the people in their communities. She began teaching remotely at FSRL on the topics of Acute Care & Cardiopulmonary and Orthotics & Prosthetics. She has returned to Haiti seven times and hopes to be able to return in the future.
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