Dr. Priganc joins the University of Vermont from Clarkson University, where she was the program director and chair of the developing occupational therapy program. She steered that program through the initial accreditation process and the program was awarded the maximum accreditation for a new program. She is an occupational therapist and a certified hand therapist, and most of her clinical work has been focused in hand rehabilitation. She serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Hand Therapy, the premiere peer-reviewed journal in her field. She recently received her Executive Certification on Home Modifications from the University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. She has also been active throughout her career with the American Society of Hand Therapists. Her research interests involve hand rehabilitation topics such as orthotics, chronic pain, manual edema mobilization, health and wellness, and aging-in-place. Currently, Dr. Priganc is developing the University of Vermont's Occupational Therapy program.
Occupational Therapy Program Director
Research and/or Creative Works
Smith, A., Priganc, V. & Westervelt, K.
- Integrative health coaching in occupational therapy – a core tenant of an already health promoting profession. A scoping review.
Priganc, V. & Towsley, J.
- Senior buddy project and impact on older adults health and wellness.
Kreb, K. & Priganc, V.
- Exploring relationships among embedded occupational therapy fieldwork experiences and CliftonStrengths assessment results with student preparedness, clinical reasoning development, self-reflection and insight.
Priganc, V., & Nafai, S.
- Cultural humility discussion through the utilization of a generic case study among OT students in Vermont and Morocco.
Publications
Naughton, N., Algar, L., Ivy, C., Loomis, K., McGee, C., & Strauss, S. (in press). Assessment and Treatment of non-surgical thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: A Modified Delphi-based consensus paper of The American Society of Hand Therapists. Priganc, V. (Ed.).
Meyer, M. & Priganc, V. (2022). How is home modification addressed in entry-level occupational therapy programs? Education in the Health Professions. https://doi::10.4103/EHP.EHP_22_22.
Doerrer, S., Reese Walter, J., Priganc, V., Winston, K., Barth, R. & Moss, D. (2021). The Impact of Shoulder Pathology on Individuals with Distal Radius Fracture. Journal of Hand Therapy
Priganc, V., Naughton, N., Wilson, S., & Ivy, C., (2021). A follow-up survey on the impact of COVID-19 on hand therapy practice. The Journal of Hand therapy. S0894-1130(21)00109-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2021.07.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34392999.
Priganc, V. (2021). Research and statistics: Clinical applications. American Society of Hand Therapists Test Prep for the CHT Exam, 4th ed.
Ivy, C., Doerer, S., Naughton, N., & Priganc, V. (2021). The impact of COVID-10 on hand therapy practice. The Journal of Hand Therapy. S0894-1130(21)00026-0. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.01.007
Patterson, R., & Priganc, V. (Eds). (2020). Innovation in Hand Therapy [Special Issue]. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 33(2).
Priganc, V., & Patterson, R. (2020). Innovation in hand therapy: A reflection on the past and thoughts for the future. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 33(2), 153-155. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2019.12.001
Patterson, R., & Priganc, V. (2020). What does hand therapy look like in 50 years. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 33(2), 269-270.
Priganc, V., Reese Walter, J., & Sublett, S. (2020). Edema assessment and management practice patterns among hand therapists: Survey research. Journal of Hand Therapy, 33(3), 378-385. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2019.04.005.
Roll, S. (2015). Carpal tunnel syndrome: Improving intervention effectiveness. V. Priganc (Ed.). Brockton, MA: Western Schools.
Jacobs, . & Austin, N. (2014). Orthotic intervention for the hand and upper extremity: Splinting principles and process. Reviewer: Priganc, V. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Priganc, V. (Ed). (2012). Basic science: The building blocks to clinical practice [Special Issue]. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 25(2).
McKee, P., Hannah, S., & Priganc, V. (2012). Orthotic considerations for dense connective tissue and articular cartilage – The need for optimal movement and stress. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 25(2), 233-243.
Priganc, V., & Stralka, S. (2011). Graded motor imagery. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 24(2), 164-168.
Artzberger, S., & Priganc, V. (2011). Manual edema mobilization: An edema reduction technique for the orthopedic patient. In T. Skirven, A.L. Osterman, J. Fedorcyzk, & P. Amadio (Eds.), Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity, 6th ed. (pp. 868-881). Philadelphia, PA: Mosby.
Priganc, V., Vranceanu, A., & Ring, D. (2010). Less common but important Conditions: Factitious disorders, malingering and disproportionate pain and disability. In R. Bindra & T. Brininger (Eds.), Advanced Concepts of Hand Pathology and Surgery: Application to Hand Therapy Practice (pp. 359-366). Rosemont, IL: American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Priganc, V., & Ito, M. (2008). Changes in edema, pain, or range of motion following manual edema mobilization: A single-case design study. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 21(4), 326-335.
Priganc, V., & Henry, S. (2003). The relationship among five common carpal tunnel syndrome tests and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome. The Journal of Hand Therapy, 16(3), 225-236.
Awards and Recognition
- Awarded 2023 Collaborative Graduate Recruiting Pilot Program at the University of Vermont
- Certificate of Appreciation in Teaching Excellence, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2015-2016
- Annual grant funding recipient for federal program, United States Department of Health Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Program Return on Investment Training Award, Saint Wall Street LLC, 2014
- Outstanding Committee Member Award, Research Committee, American Society of Hand Therapists, 2008
- Governance Committee Nominee, American Society of Hand Therapists, 2008
- Teacher of the Year Nominee, University of New England Occupational Therapy program, 2001
- Research grant recipient from Physical and Occupational Therapy Associates, Williston, VT, 1999
- Outstanding Committee Member Award, International Opportunities in Hand Therapy Subcommittee, American Society of Hand Therapists, 1998
Associations and Affiliations
- American Society of Hand Therapists
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- Vermont Occupational Therapy Association
- Journal of Hand Therapy
- Roster of Accreditation Evaluators, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), hand rehabilitation, manual edema mobilization, orthosis, Executive Certificate in Home Modifications (ECHM) from the University of Southern California, aging-in-place
Education
- Ph.D., Occupational Therapy; Nova Southeastern University
- M.S., Movement Science and Rehabilitation; University of Vermont
- B.S., Occupational Therapy; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Contact
- (802) 656-8146
Living Learning Center, Building C, Office C150