Lab History |
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Dr. Michael Sussman initiated the laboratory in 1988 through the auspices of the University of Virginia and several granting funds including the Alton Jones Foundation and the Lillian Pratt Fund. The first director was Dr. Kit Vaughn, who established the research agenda of the laboratory and secured the laboratory’s first NIH funding in a project to study the effects of bracing in cerebral palsy. Drs. Mark Abel and Diane Damiano joined the University in 1993 during Dr. Vaughan’s tenure. Dr. Abel is the current medical director and Dr. Damiano moved to the Washington University in St. Louis in 2000. Since 1993, the growth of the laboratory has been remarkable. The laboratory currently has a database of over 450 studies on patients with cerebral palsy as well as a database of normal children. The laboratory is unique in having data not only on walking characteristics, but also a data base of strength profiles in normal children and children with cerebral palsy. In 1997, Dr. Kevin Granata was recruited to become the engineering director of the laboratory. He brought to the laboratory an expertise in measuring spinal movements, es pecially as related to back injury in the workplace. At the current time, the laboratory sees approximately three to four patients per week referred from within the state of Virginia and the surrounding states. The quality of the data is assured through the expertise of Dr. David Carmines, the laboratory engineer and Patty Payne, the senior physical therapist in the laboratory. Marc Gilgannon joined the laboratory as a full-time senior physical therapist in 2001. In addition, Barbara Leech, the laboratory manager, oversees scheduling and financial issues. This core clinical staff is complimented by other physical therapists and research assistants from the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Therapy. Consequently, the activities of the laboratory remain vibrant at all times. We welcome you to visit our laboratory at any time. |