Lesley Pritchard, PT, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy within the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. Her work bridges clinical practice and academic research in pediatric rehabilitation, with active teaching responsibilities including PTHER 563 (Gross Motor Development and Pediatric Physical Therapy) and REHAB 601 (Research Design in Rehabilitation Research). Her educational foundation includes: PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine (University of Alberta, 2008) MScPT (University of Alberta, 2002) BScPT (University of Alberta, 1996) Dr. Pritchard's research centers on improving rehabilitation outcomes for children with motor disabilities, particularly through understanding family perspectives on service delivery and developing evidence-based interventions for cerebral palsy. She investigates community participation barriers and designs child-focused rehabilitation approaches that prioritize functional outcomes in natural environments. Her recent publication trends (2022-2025) reveal a strategic focus on implementation science and translational research. Key themes include validation of assessment tools like the Gross Motor Family Report, qualitative exploration of family experiences with orthotics and telehealth, and rigorous evaluation of innovative interventions such as robotic gait training. There is strong emphasis on mixed-methods designs and multi-center trials that bridge clinical practice and research evidence. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. As a graduate supervisor, Dr. Pritchard mentors students in rehabilitation research methodology while securing substantial grant funding for projects like the ENGAGE study on goal setting and TIPS for telehealth implementation. Her work demonstrates consistent collaboration with interdisciplinary teams across clinical, academic, and policy domains. She leads the ENGAGE research group focused on child-centered rehabilitation and contributes to the University of Alberta's Pediatric Rehabilitation Research cluster, collaborating with clinicians, families, and international researchers to advance evidence-based service delivery models.

