Lisa Abernethy
Background
Lisa Abernethy, MSPO, CPO/L, is the Associate Director of Clinical Education in the Baylor Prosthetics and Orthotics Master’s degree program. She is currently the Co-Chair of the AAOP Craniofacial Society, the Secretary of the Texas Society of O&P Professionals, and a POP ambassador.
Lisa is passionate about improving patient access to care by filling research gaps and advocating for health insurance coverage. She has presented and published studies, articles, and a textbook chapter on cranial as well as media portrayal of limb loss.”
Why did you apply?
I wanted to investigate any potential long term psychosocial and other medical effects of having plagiocephaly, but I knew the response rate would be too low without some financial incentive. I did not even realize all the other costs included in a study of this scale, even for just a chart review and survey.
How did the funding help you meet your goals?
With the funding, I was able to award gift cards to increase response rate, purchase validated outcome measures, and hire translators and statiticians.
How did the funding impact your career?
This award enabled my team and I to investigate on a much needed topic. I hope to keep collaborating and investigating to provide a more robust evidence base.
What did the funding mean to you personally?
This study would not have been possible without this award. It provided me with the funding and confidence needed to pursue a hunch I had regarding negative effects of untreated plagiocephaly. I used to rely on others to fulfill needed research but I now know that even those without phd’s can contribute meaningful work to the field of O&P.
