Dr. Deb O'Rourke is a clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science. Prior to assuming a position as a clinical faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Vermont in 1987, she practiced in the clinical areas of pediatrics and neurological rehabilitation in Canada for 13 years. Her teaching responsibilities in the physical therapy program are in the areas of motor development, pediatrics, developmental disabilities, pain and psychosocial issues in healthcare. Dr. O’Rourke is a former faculty member with the Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VT-LEND) Program, a training grant funded by the Maternal Child Health Bureau to prepare leaders to serve children with developmental disabilities and their families. Her research interests are in the areas of pediatric pain, health-related quality of life in children with disabilities and interprofessional education and practice.
Professor Emerita
Publications
Tupper SM, Swiggum M, O’Rourke D, Sangster M (2014). Physical Therapy Interventions for Pain in Childhood and Adolescence. In: McGrath P, Stevens SW, and Zempsky W, eds. The Oxford Textbook of Pediatric Pain. New York, NY: Oxford University Press
Engel, J.M. & O'Rourke, D.A.(2007). Chronic pain in children: Physical medicine and rehabilitation In: R.F. Schmidt & W.W. Willis (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Pain (pp. 368-371). Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.
Presentations
Dee, J. M., Fondacaro, K. M., & O’Rourke, D.A. Trauma-informed physical therapy for survivors of torture. Education session for the Health Policy and Administration Section, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, February 4-7, 2015, Indianapolis, IN
O’Rourke, D.A., LeMieux, N. P., Melvin, C. S., & Palumbo, M.V. An end of life simulation for nurse practitioner, physical therapy and nursing students. Poster presentation, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, February 4-7, 2015, Indianapolis, IN
O’Rourke, D.A. & Palumbo, M.V. Inter-professional practice for care of elders with chronic conditions by eight disciplines via video conference. Oral presentation, American Academy on Communication in Healthcare Research and Teaching Forum, October 17-19, 2015, Orlando, FL
Favro, M.A., Contompasis, S.H. & O’Rourke, D.A. Does Physical activity have an impact on behavior, social interaction and /or functioning at school in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? Poster presentation, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, December 4, 2012, Washington, DC
O'Rourke, D.A., Owen Sands, P., Barnard, P., Potvin, M.C., MacLeod, M., Wilcox, D. A statewide interdisciplinary journal club to promote evidence-based practice in pediatrics using interactive television. Poster presentation, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, October 30-November 3, 2010, Crystal City, VA
Associations and Affiliations
- American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Psychological Association
- International Association for the Study of Pain
- Society for Research in Child Development
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Pediatric pain, health-related quality of life in children with disabilities, interprofessional education and practice
Education
- Ph.D., Psychology; University of Vermont
- M.A., Psychology; University of Vermont
- M.Cl.Sc., Physical Therapy; University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
- B.Sc., Physical Therapy; University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
- Dip., Physiotherapy; Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Contact
- 802-656-2672
306B Rowell Hall
Courses Taught
PT 215 - Movement Science 2
PT 330 - Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare
PT 346 - Patient Management: Neuromuscular 2