Elizabeth Skidmore

Elizabeth Skidmore is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She is a licensed occupational therapist and a rehabilitation scientist with national recognition in neurological rehabilitation and intervention design.

Her research focuses on enhancing cognitive function, reducing depressive symptoms and apathy, and improving activity and participation after acquired brain injury and stroke. She has advanced the use of meta-cognitive strategy training and behavioral activation across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Her work emphasizes rigorous intervention specification and fidelity, serving as a resource for interdisciplinary teams and health systems.

Her recent publications highlight advancements in traumatic brain injury recovery, stroke rehabilitation, and executive function interventions. Collectively, these works reflect a strong commitment to evidence-based practice, translational research, and improving long-term outcomes for individuals with neurological conditions.

Scientific Awards:

• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring (2024)
• Women in Rehabilitation Science, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (2022)
• 100 Influential People in 100 Years, American Occupational Therapy Association (2017)

Dr. Skidmore is an active mentor in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program and has been recognized for her excellence in doctoral mentoring. She contributes to national research initiatives, including leadership in a $5 million NIH-funded training grant focused on learning health systems to improve care for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. She also consults widely on intervention design and implementation across clinical populations.

She is affiliated with major professional organizations, including as a Fellow of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (FACRM) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA), and is a member of the Academy of Research, American Occupational Therapy Foundation.