Linda Hunt, Ph.D., OTR/L
Associate Professor
Linda discovered being an occupational therapist is a perfect fit for what energizes her, providing opportunities that help people reach goals. She believes that creative problem solving is the basis for occupational therapy practice and teaches her students to be resourceful problem solvers. Linda has been an occupational therapy educator for over 17 years. Her primary practice is with older adults, specifically in wellness programs, low vision, and driving rehabilitation and community mobility.
Linda has received grant funding that enabled her to examine the effects of aging and dementia on driving ability. Her current research focuses on life style redesign for certified nursing assistants (CNA). Linda believes that clients will receive optimal care if CNAs work in an environment that supports the valuable work they do including caring for individuals during end of life. She is currently starting a wellness program that promotes stress reduction, education, and career path development for CNAs.
In addition, Linda has published her research results in numerous journals and books, and has presented to audiences worldwide. She has taught exercise classes to clients with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Linda keeps occupied by hiking, walking, biking, cross country skiing, and yoga. She enjoys the outdoors and great food with her husband and daughter. Her favorite pastimes are bird watching, reading the newspaper and literature, and going to inspiring films. She never misses the Academy Awards.
Education
Graduate:
- 2001 Ph.D., in Physiological Optics, School of Optometry, University of Missouri St. Louis
- 1991 Master in Health Care Services, Health Care Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis
- Undergraduate:
- 1983 B.S., Occupational Therapy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.
- 1974 B.S., English and Education, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO.
Recent Accomplishments/Awards
- 2006-2009 Editorial Board of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy
- 2006 Serving on the Aging Advisory Council for Flathead County Area IX Agency on Aging
- 2005 Guest member Advisory Board Nursing Program, Salish Kootenai College
- Advisor to American Medical Association for Physicians' Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers
- 2000-2002 Grant Reviewer for National Institutes of Health
- 2001 President's Award for Exemplary Service in Scholarship, Maryville University
- 2001 Honorary Member (selected by students) of Omicron Delta Kappa the National Leadership Honor Society
- 2001-2004 Task Force Oder Drivers Medical Conditions Transportation Research Board
- 1999-2002 Editorial Board of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy
- 1990 Member Task Force, Psychiatric Disorders and Commercial Drivers Expert Panel Interface Conference Documentation Plan, Washington D.D.
- 1989-92 American Occupational Therapy Association State Liaison for Gerontology Special Interest Section
- 1990-92 Greater St. Louis Chapter of American Parkinson Disease Association Medical Advisory Board.
Selected Publications
- Hunt, L.A. & Arbesman, M. (2008). An evidence-based and occupational perspective of effective interventions for older clients that remediate or support improved driving performance. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. In Press.
- Hunt, L., Salls, J., Dolhi, C., Kratz, D., & Martin, K. (2007). Putting the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework into practice: Enlightening one therapist at a time. OT Practice. 12, 17-20.
- Duchek, J.M., Carr, D.B., Hunt, L., Roe, C. M., Xiong, C., Shah, K., Morris, J.C. (2003) Longitudinal driving performance in early stage dementia of the Alzheimer type. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 51, 1342-1347.
- Duchek, J.M., Hunt, L.A., Ball, K., Buckles, V., Morris, J.C. (1998). Attention and driving performance in Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Gerontology, 53B, 130-141.
- Hunt, L.A., Murphy, C.F, Carr, D., Duchek, J.M., Buckles, V., Morris, J.C. (1997). Reliability of the Washington University Road Test. A performance-based assessment for drivers with dementia of the Alzheimer type. Archives of Neurology, 54, 707-712.
- Stav, W., Hunt, L., Arbesman, M. (2007). Driving and Community Mobility for Older Adults: Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines. AOTA.
- Davidson, D.A., Hunt, L., & Carluccio, L.W. (2004). Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Counseling. In Rizzo, M. & Eslinger, P. J.(Eds.) Principles and Practice of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychology. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.
- Hunt, L.A. (2003) Driving and dementia automatic cessation of driving? Generations, American Society on Aging, Summer.