معرفی
Melissa Zahl is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational & Recreational Therapies at the University of Utah, with an adjunct appointment as Associate Professor in Physical Therapy & Athletic Training. She holds a PhD in Parks, Recreation & Tourism from the University of Utah (2009) following prior degrees from the same institution. Her research focuses on spinal cord injury management, disability inclusion, recreational therapy practice, and healthcare workforce dynamics.
Her work explores topics such as workplace inclusion for disabled healthcare professionals, adaptive sports interventions for youth, pandemic impacts on disability health, and clinical supervision standards in therapeutic recreation. Dr. Zahl has led studies on secondary health conditions in spinal cord injury patients, pain management strategies, and multicultural education in higher education.
- Professional Service: Board member of National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (2016-2019)
- Teaching: Courses include Assessment in Recreational Therapy, Rehabilitation Science Seminars, and thesis supervision
- Awards: 2024 Scholarly Achievement Award from American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Her research bridges clinical practice and social science, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to improving health outcomes for individuals with disabilities through therapeutic interventions and policy advocacy.
