Education
OT Professional Education
- 2023
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Assistive Technology and Universal Design
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 2005
Master of Science
Occupational Therapy
University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas
Additional Training
- 2003
Bachelor of Science
Health Sciences
University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas
Licensure & Certifications
- Occupational Therapy License
State of Texas
License Number: 117550 - Occupational Therapist Registry
Initial Certification: 17 January 2006
Any other Certifications Format:
- Assistive Technology and Accessible Design
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Memberships Accordion
- 2006 – Current: American Occupational Therapy Association
- 2019 – Current: Texas Occupational Therapy Association
- 2015 – Current: World Federation of Occupational Therapy
Research & Clinical Expertise
Clinical Expertise
- Military Occupational Therapy: Over 15 years of experience as an Army Occupational Therapist specializing in the care of service members with physical, cognitive, and mental health injuries.
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: Expertise in the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
- Assistive Technology: Skilled in integrating assistive technology into therapeutic interventions, including consulting with the video game industry for accessible gaming solutions.
- Burn Rehabilitation: Directed burn care services, specializing in comprehensive rehabilitation for burn survivors.
- Amputee Rehabilitation: Developed and led amputee occupational therapy programs, focusing on prosthetic training and adaptive techniques for functional independence.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Extensive experience in developing and managing occupational therapy programs for mild traumatic brain injuries in military settings.
- Acute Care and Inpatient Rehabilitation: Provided comprehensive assessments, personalized treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions in inpatient and acute care settings.
- Video Game Therapy: Pioneered the use of video games as therapeutic tools for over 15 years to enhance treatment outcomes.
- Adaptive Gaming Consultation: Worked with Microsoft on the Xbox Adaptive Controller and 343 Industries on accessible gaming representation.
Teaching & Learning Expertise
- Expertise in teaching and integrating inclusive design principles, with a focus on assistive technology and accessible content creation.
- Emphasizes experiential learning techniques in the classroom, integrating hands-on and real-world applications into teaching.
- Extensive experience incorporating technology, including video games and adaptive technology, into teaching practices to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Specialized instruction in the therapeutic implications of prosthetics and orthotics for Occupational Therapy students.
- Proficient in managing diverse classroom environments, promoting equity and inclusivity in learning settings.
- Experience teaching graduate courses in occupational therapy, including subjects like musculoskeletal conditions, therapeutic processes, and professional writing.
- Facilitates interdisciplinary learning and collaboration among students from different health science programs.
- Provides mentorship and guidance for doctoral capstone projects, especially those focused on accessible gaming and adaptive technologies.
- Actively participates in professional development workshops and conferences to stay current with the latest teaching methodologies and trends in occupational therapy education.
Scholarly Focus
- Therapeutic Use of Video Games in Rehabilitation: Investigating the use of digital media and video games as therapeutic tools to enhance treatment outcomes.
- Accessibility in Gaming: Researching adaptive gaming technologies and accessible design to promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.
- Occupational Therapy for Military Populations: Exploring occupational therapy interventions and outcomes for service members and veterans, including those with traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and burns.
- Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation: Focusing on the development and integration of assistive technology in clinical practice to enhance patient engagement and independence.
- Burn and Amputee Rehabilitation: Advancing evidence-based approaches for the rehabilitation of burn survivors and individuals with limb loss.
- Interprofessional Education and Collaboration: Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare education to improve student learning and patient care outcomes.
- Equity and Inclusion in OT Practice and Education: Committed to enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in both clinical practice and educational settings.
Presentations
2024
- Johnson, E. (2024). A Master of None: Lessons Learned When Compassion and Imagination Supersede Intelligence. 24th Annual John J. Bazyk Distinguished Speaker Day. Keynote Presentation, Cleveland State University
- Johnson, E. (2024). Where’s the Start Button? An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Assessing and Addressing Accessible Gaming. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Platform Presentation, Orlando, FL.
- Johnson, E. (2024). Cultivating Kindness: An OTs Guide to Civility, Appreciative Inquiry, and Collaborative Communication. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Platform Presentation, Orlando, FL.
2023
- Johnson, E. (2023). Empowerment Without Extensions: Supporting Veterans with Upper Limb Loss. National Congress on Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Short Course Presentation, Ukraine.
- Johnson, E. (2023). Exploring the Rewarding Career in Providing Occupational Therapy Services for our Nation’s Heroes. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Panel Presentation, Pasadena, California.
- Johnson, E. (2023). After the Storm: OT Implications for Service Members After Discharge. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation,Pasadena, California.
- Johnson, E. (2023). The Prevalence of Fictitious Citations in Hand Therapy Protocols Generated by ChatGPT. American Society of Hand Therapy Annual Conference. Scientific Session Lecture, San Antonio, Texas
- Johnson, E. (2023). Your Next Call of Duty: How to Craft Your Treatment Approaches to Include Technology and Gaming. Invited Platform Presentation, Dallas, Texas
- Johnson, E. (2023). A Master of None: Lessons Learned When Compassion and Imagination Superseded Intelligence. 5th Annual Interprofessional Symposium. Keynote Presentation, Birmingham, Alabama
- Johnson, E. (2023). High Tech, Low Tech, What the Heck? RESNA Annual Conference. Poster Presentation, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Johnson, E. (2023). Technology Inclusion and Accessible Design. Technology Inclusion and Accessibility Summit. Invited Panel Discussion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2022
- Johnson, E. (2022). Aftermath: The Complex Journey to Independence After Suffering Polytraumatic Injuries. National Congress on Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Short Course Presentation, Ukraine.
- Johnson, E. (2022). Occupational relevance: The importance of harnessing technology for use as a therapeutic medium. The OT Show. Platform Presentation, Birmingham, England.
- Johnson, E. (2022). The Switzer Lecture – A Master of None: Lessons Learned When Compassion and Imagination Superseded Intelligence. Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions Annual Conference. Keynote Presentation, Long Beach, CA
- Johnson, E. (2022). After the Storm OT Implications for Service Members after Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Platform Presentation, San Antonio, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2022). How Occupational Therapists Can Use Social Media Platforms to Support Online Peer Participation Among Young Adults with Disabilities. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Poster Presentation, San Antonio, TX.
2021
- Johnson, E. (2021). Healing Humanity: Occupational Therapy Addressing Individual and Historical Trauma. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference: Inspire. Virtual Panel Discussion.
- Johnson, E. (2021). Ready Player One: Harnessing the power of activity and fun using a digital medium. US Play Coalition’s Annual Conference. Virtual Platform Presentation. Clemson, SC.
2020
- Johnson, E. (2020). After the Storm: OT Implications on Mental Health for Veterans after Discharge. Texas Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference. Platform Presentation (Virtual). Texas.
- Johnson, E. (2020). After the Storm: OT Implications for Wounded Warriors and Veterans After Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Virtual Conference Webinar.
- Johnson, E. (2020). Innovative Immersion: What’s Next? Healing through immersion & Entertainment. South By Southwest. Panel Presentation. Austin, TX.
2019
- Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Inclusive Considerations for Gamers with Disabilities. Hanger Clinic’s EmpowerFest Podium Presentation and Workshop, Dallas, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Therapeutic Implications for Gamers with Disabilities. Brooks Rehabilitation and Microsoft’s Adaptive Gaming Event and Workshop. Podium Presentations and Workshop, Jacksonville, FL.
- Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Inclusive Considerations for Gamers with Disabilities. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
- Johnson, E. (2019). Re-engage: Accessible Solutions and Inclusive Considerations for Gamers with Disabilities. Halo: Outpost Discovery, Podium Presentation,Houston, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2019). Ready Player One: Accessibility Strategies to Enable the Single or Bilateral Upper-Limb Amputee to Engage in Gaming. Amputee Coalition’s Annual Conference and Expo, Podium Presentation and Workshop, San Antonio, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2019). Re-Engage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Application of Technology in Treatment. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference and Expo, Podium Presentation, New Orleans, LA.
- Johnson, E. (2019). Respawn: A Gaming Based Approach to Play That Optimizes Therapeutic Success Through Adaptive Engagement. US Play Coalition’s Annual Conference, Podium Presentation and Workshop, Clemson, SC.
- Johnson, E. (2019). Reengage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Applications of Gaming in Occupational Therapy. Game Accessibility Conference, Podium Presentation, San Francisco, CA.
2018
- Johnson, E. (2018). Reengage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Application of Technology in Treatment. Texas Occupational Therapy Association’s Mountain Central Conference, Podium Presentation, Sugarland, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2018). Ready Player One: Accessibility Strategies to Enable The Bilateral Upper Limb Amputee to Engage in Gaming. Skills For Life 5: Bilateral Upper Limb Loss Workshop, Podium Presentation, Houston, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2018). Using Video Games in Clinical Practice. Operation HEAL: Suicide Prevention Conference, Webinar.
- Johnson, E. (2018). Respawn: Optimizing The Healing Power of Video Games in a Therapeutic Setting. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Johnson, E. (2018). After the Storm: OT Implications for Wounded Warriors and Veterans After Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Johnson, E. (2018). The Use of Technology in Therapy. Glocal Impacts – Health Care and Education: Innovations, Opportunities, and Challenges Podium Presentation, Fez, Morocco.
2017
- Johnson, E. (2017). Don’t Not Be Great. New York State Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference, Keynote Presentation, Albany, NY.
- Johnson, E. (2017). Reengage: Accessible Solutions and Practical Application of Technology in Treatment. New York State Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference, Podium Presentation, Albany, NY.
- Johnson, E. (2017). The Role of Occupational Therapy Within Military Settings. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
- Johnson, E. (2017). The Unseen Injuries: Mental Health and Cognition Implications for Service Members During and After Their Time in Service. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
- Johnson, E. (2017). Future OT treatment lies in the Virtual World. Texas Occupational Therapy Association’s Mountain Central Conference, Podium Presentation, Austin, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2017). After the Storm: OT Implications for Wounded Warriors and Veterans After Discharge. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Philadelphia, PA.
- Johnson, E. (2017). Respawn: Applying Applicable & Relevant Technology-Focused Treatment to Our Current Generation of Veterans. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Philadelphia, PA.
- Johnson, E. (2017). Virtual Reality Therapy: Treatment for the World. South By Southwest, Panel Presentation, Austin, TX.
2016 and Later
- Johnson, E. (2016). Respawn: Optimizing Therapeutic Potential Through the Healing Power of Video Games. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
- Johnson, E. (2016). Respawn: Optimizing Therapeutic Potential Through the Healing Power of Video Games. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Pasadena, California.
- Johnson, E. (2016). Seize Your Existence and Don’t Not Be Great. CaliforniaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Pasadena, California.
- Johnson, E. (2016). Seize Your Existence and Don’t Not Be Great. GeorgiaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation,Atlanta, Georgia.
- Johnson, E. (2016). Optimizing the Healing Power of Video Games in a Therapeutic Setting. GeorgiaOccupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Atlanta, Georgia.
- Johnson, E. (2016). Occupational Therapy for the Wounded Military. Congreso Internacional De Estudiantes De Terapia Ocupacional (IV CIETO) Keynote Presentation, Alicante, Spain.
- Johnson, E. (2016). The Wounded Warrior and The Art of Independence. Congreso Internacional De Estudiantes De Terapia Ocupacional (IV CIETO) Workshop,Alicante, Spain.
- Johnson, E. (2016). Video Gaming The Health Care System. South By Southwest, Podium Presentation, Austin, TX.
- Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. Occupationaltherapy.com Webinar.
- Johnson, E. (2015). Seize Your Existence and Don’t Not Be Great. IllinoisOccupational Therapy Association Keynote Presentation, Chicago, Illinois.
- Johnson, E. (2015). Occupy Yourself: Don’t Not Be Great. Columbia University Occupational Therapy Commencement Keynote Presentation, New York, NY.
- Johnson, E. (2015). Innovative Apps for Rehabilitation and Community Reintegration of the Wounded Warrior. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Nashville, TN.
- Johnson, E. (2015). The Emergence of Technology Within the Shifting Paradigm of Occupational Therapy. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Nashville, TN.
- Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Nashville, TN.
- Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. Occupational Therapy Student Research Conference Keynote Presentation, Peabody, MA.
- Johnson, E. (2015). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. Reba L. Anderson Memorial Lecture, Nova Southeastern University Keynote Presentation, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
- Johnson, E. (2014). Adult Neural Stem Cells and OT Practice. Bridging The Gap, Texas Women’s University Panel Presentation, Denton, Texas.
- Johnson, E. (2014). Occupational Therapy’s Role in Polytrauma Treatment in a Military Treatment Facility: The Spectrum of Care. International Congress World Federation of Occupational Therapists Workshop Presentation, Yokohama, Japan.
- Johnson, E. (2014). An Interdisciplinary Approach to Medication Management for Persons with Cognitive Deficits. International Congress World Federation of Occupational Therapists Platform Presentation, Yokohama, Japan.
- Johnson, E. (2014). Concussed: Reconditioning the mTBI when Business is Booming. Brain Injury Symposium of Mid-Michigan Keynote Presentation, East Lancing MI.
- Johnson, E. (2014). The Wounded Warrior and the Emergence of Treatment Based Technology. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Podium Presentation, Baltimore, MD.
- Johnson, E. (2014). The Wounded Warrior and the Art of Independence. American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Baltimore, MD.
- Johnson, E. (2014). Occupational Therapy and the Battle for Independence. Saginaw Valley State Student Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference Keynote Presentation, Saginaw, MI.
Professional Service
- 2023 – Present: Member, Board of Trustees, American Occupational Therapy Foundation
- 2021 – 2023: Member, Nominations Committee, Texas Occupational Therapy Association
- 2022 – 2023: Faculty Advisor, League Cru Student Organization, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
- 2017 – Present: Chief Medical Officer/Occupational Therapist, Warfighter Engaged, Wayne, NJ
- 2016 – Present: Consultant/Occupational Therapist, Microsoft/Xbox Accessibility Team, Seattle, WA
- 2016 – 2021: Medical Director/Occupational Therapist, Operation Supply Drop, Austin, TX
- 2016 – 2018: Chief Medical Officer/Occupational Therapist, Idego Virtual Engagement
Teaching
Tarleton State University
- N/A
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Foundations of Occupation: Movement
- Therapeutic Processes in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Performance: Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Adult Practice: Community Context
- Integrative Project I, II, III
- Professional Writing in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Engagement Using Technology
- Prosthetics and Orthotics in Occupational Therapy
- Introduction to Occupational Therapy and its Connection to Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Intro to Assistive and Rehab Technology