Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Formed

BUFFALO, N.Y -- The School of Health Related Professions (HRP) at the University at Buffalo has formed a Department of Rehabilitation Sciences to provide a comprehensive and unified approach to the field of rehabilitation science.

The new department, which will become active as soon as a chair is recruited, will combine the Department of Occupational Therapy with the physical therapy resources from within the Department of Physical Therapy, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (PTENS), said Maurizio Trevisan, interim dean of HRP.

Since both the fields of occupational therapy and physical therapy deal with issues related to rehabilitation, the newly configured department will provide the "opportunity for an interdisciplinary, integrated approach to both teaching and research," Trevisan said. He added, "In the sciences, we favor the big picture, rather than the small picture."

He noted that Frank Cerny, current chair of PTENS, will remain as chair of the new Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.