Karen Frank Barney

Name and Contact

Training and Advanced Certifications

  • 1966 B.S. Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • 1982 M.S. Continuing & Vocational Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • 1984 Standard Certificates, Teacher of Occupational Therapy and Administrator, Wisconsin Board of Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education

  • 2002 Ph.D., Health Services Research, Minor: Environmental & Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University

Area(s) of Expertise

  • Gerontologic Occupational Therapy: Direct services, consultation, teaching, publishing, and research

  • Research Methods

  • Administration and OT Fieldwork Education

  • Interprofessional models conceptualization regarding justice systems aiming to improve processes, programs, policies and outcomes

Awards and Honors

  • 1965: Eta Kappa Lamda, Residence Halls Leadership Honor Society, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • 1985-1987: Gubernatorial Appointment, 4-year term, to State of Wisconsin Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors Licensing Board - Public Member; Secretary, Designers Section

  • 1986: Independent Living, Inc.: Board of Directors Service Award

  • 1986-1989 : Secretary of Professional Licensing Boards Appointment, 4-year term, to Executive Secretary, Kentucky Occupational Therapy Licensing Board

  • 1990-2013: Served as OT faculty in the Saint Louis University Geriatric Education Center, funded by HRSA

  • 1992-1994: Doctoral Fellowship, Saint Louis University School of Public Health

  • 1993: Breakthrough--Model Standards Coalition for Community Health--focus on older adult services: Service Award on behalf of Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis--first annual award ceremony

  • 1994: Service Award--PROPACT: Academic and Practice Coalition, Saint Louis University School of Public Health and Missouri Department of Health

  • 1997: Missouri Occupational Therapy Association Award of Merit for Outstanding Contributions to the Profession

  • 1998: American Occupational Therapy Association, Roster of Fellows

  • 2000: Alpha Eta, National Allied Health Professions Honor Society

  • 2004: Society for the Study of Occupation: USA--Certificate of Appreciation for Service on the Annual Conference Committee

  • 2004: 24th Annual Saint Louis University Certificate of Leadership Recognition

  • 2009: Promoted to rank of Associate Professor and Tenured (July 1, 2009)

  • 2009: Initiated an interprofessional pre- and post-release rehabilitation model for prison settings

  • 2013: Inducted to Alpha Sigma Nu, Honorary Jesuit Service Society

  • 2013: Saint Louis University Last Lecture Series Honoree

  • 2013: Awarded Professor Emerita Status

  • 2014: Served as Interim Director, Saint Louis University Prison Program

  • 2015: Co-founder, Transformative Justice Initiative

  • 2016: St. Louis business community: Arcus Award for Achievement in Educational Attainment honors a company, organization or institution for providing leadership through the creation of a program or initiative that promotes college degree attainment, improved educational outcomes or on-the-job training

Leadership Accomplishments and Passions

  • Student mentorship for over 50 years

  • Junior faculty mentorship for 20 years

  • While serving with the Geriatric Education Center, developed the Senior Safety Solitaire program materials on an interdisciplinary basis

  • Introduced the concept of a statewide OT/OTA fieldwork council in Missouri; it continues 29 years later

  • While serving as department chair at Saint Louis University: added 9 faculty positions and realized a 300% growth in undergraduate and graduate enrollment

  • Led the development a 5-year strategic plan while serving as Interim Director of the Saint Louis University Prison Program while the founder was on sabbatical

  • Founder, Transformative Justice Initiative, working with multiple aspects of state and federal justice systems, working to integrate an interprofessional process model with OT at the core

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