Meet Occupational Therapy Faculty

Program Chair

Laura Stimler, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Chair
Associate Professor
lstimler@spalding.edu

Dr. Stimler received a BS in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University and a Post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) with a concentration in Pediatric Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. In 2023, Dr. Stimler earned a Doctorate of Education in Leadership (EdD), from Spalding University. Dr. Stimler is AOTA Board Certified in Pediatrics and currently serves as the Kentucky Representative to the AOTA Representative Assembly. Her clinical experience includes acute care, pediatric and adult long-term care, pediatric rehabilitation, hospital-based schools, and early intervention settings. Prior to teaching, Dr. Stimler worked in acute care rehabilitation oncology, specializing in pediatrics, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Currently, she serves as the ASOT chair and teaches courses including pediatric practice, acute care, oncology, ethics, and research. Dr. Stimler’s research and scholarship aim to contribute to occupational therapy evidence in rehabilitation oncology and pedagogical approaches to maximize student outcomes. Dr. Stimler is passionate about promoting interprofessional collaborative efforts on campus and throughout the community.

Faculty

Melba Custer, PhD, OTR/L

Professor
Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
mcuster@spalding.edu

Dr. Custer received her MS in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University and a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky. Prior to coming to Spalding in 2018, Dr. Custer was on the faculty at Eastern Kentucky University, and her clinical expertise is in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. Dr. Custer teaches research and Capstone classes. Dr. Custer currently is the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator. Past and present research interests include outcomes of occupational therapy, program evaluation, and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Elizabeth “Liz” Grant, OTD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor
egrant@spalding.edu

Dr. Grant earned a BS in Occupational Therapy from Spalding University, preceded by a BA in Communication from the University of Louisville. She later returned to school to earn her Post Professional Masters and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University. Her past clinical experiences have ranged across a variety of settings and the lifespan with an emphasis in pediatrics through early intervention, school base practice, hippotherapy, aquatic therapy, rehabilitation, development and autism. Since 2011 she has focused her time on developmental pediatrics and autism. Areas of emphasis include working with adolescents, groups, and families in developing the highest level of independence in preparation for their transition into adulthood and coaching safety skills in children and families to reduce wandering and elopement with a larger effort to increase quality of life for the individual and family unit. In addition to the clinical experience Dr. Grant has been an executive Board member of KOTA in the past and currently is the Proposal Review Committee Chair for KOTA’s annual conference. Over the years she has had a passion for mentoring and teaching students in the clinic, but now has the opportunity to mentor students through their educational program and Capstones.

Jyoti Heiple, PhD, OTR/L, CHT

Assistant Professor
jheiple@spalding.edu

Dr. Heiple earned a BS in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University, an MHS in Occupational Therapy with a concentration in orthopedics from the University of Indianapolis, and in 2022 a Ph.D. in Health Professions Education from Bellarmine University. She is a Deep Physical Agent Modalities Supervisor (DPAMs) and a Board-Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC). Prior to joining the ASOT faculty, Dr. Heiple specialized in upper extremity rehabilitation at the Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center (Louisville and Southern Indiana locations), obtaining advanced clinical skills in fabricating custom orthotics and treating traumatic upper extremity conditions, including hand replants and hand transplants. Her research interests include evidenced-based occupational therapy assessment and treatment approaches related to upper extremity injuries.

Jeff Lederer, PhD, OTR/L

Professor
jlederer@spalding.edu

Dr. Lederer received his MS in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University and his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Lederer has practiced in a variety of settings including rehabilitation and home health. He also provided school-based occupational therapy services in both urban and rural communities for several years. His research interests include strategies to effectively include students and adults with disabilities in the community as well as developing occupational therapy services in community settings. He is licensed to practice OT in Kentucky and Florida and is a member of AOTA and KOTA. He also serves as a reviewer for the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT).

Rob McAlister, PhD, OTR/L

Professor
rmcalister@spalding.edu

Dr. McAlister has twenty-four years of academic teaching experience and specializes in kinesiology and treatment of adult neurological physical dysfunction. He has also taught multiple research courses and provides mentorship for capstone research conducted by entry level and post professional OTD students. He earned his Ph.D. in Motor Learning and Control from Auburn University in 2006. Dr. McAlister has extensive experience in manual therapeutic techniques, including myofascial release and neuromuscular massage, and has taught continuing education courses on these skills to allied health professionals nationally. Prior to becoming an instructor, he provided OT services for rehabilitation hospitals throughout the southeastern United States.

Stephanie Olson, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CAPS

Assistant Professor
solson@spalding.edu

Dr. Olson earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, a Masters of Occupational Therapy and later returned to earn her Post Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, all from Spalding University. She has specialized in working with older adults in the skilled nursing setting for most of her clinical career. Dr. Olson is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). She currently serves as the co-chair for KOTAs Central District. Her areas of practice include gerontology and older adults, with a research interest in aging in place. Dr. Olson is the student-faculty advisor of SOTA and teaches courses including productive aging, elder mentor project, fundamentals, and aging in place with home modifications. She maintains her status as a clinician in the long-term care community to bring the current clinical practice to the classroom.

Joshua Skuller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP

Associate Professor
jskuller@spalding.edu

Dr. Skuller earned a bachelor of science in Occupational Therapy from Spalding University in 2001 followed by a Masters in Education from the University of Louisville in 2003, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on autism from the University of Louisville in 2011. Before joining the ASOT faculty in 2012, he was a school-based therapist for Jefferson County Public Schools and also continues to practice per diem in the Kosair Charities Pediatric Convalescent Center at the Home of the Innocents. He is board-certified in pediatrics through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and is also certified in Ayres Sensory Integration. Dr. Skuller enjoys researching sensory integration and also mental health outcomes in transition aged youth and individuals experiencing first psychosis. He currently serves on several committees at the state (KOTA) and national (AOTA) levels.

Lisa Potts, PhD

Associate Professor
lpotts01@spalding.edu

Lisa teaches Anatomy and Neuroscience courses for the Occupational Therapy and Athletic Training graduate programs at Spalding University. She graduated from Centre College with a B.S. in Psychobiology and went on to obtain her doctorate in Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology from the University of Louisville. Lisa received training in neurophysiology and neuropharmacology as a post-doctoral scholar at Emory University studying novel treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease in non-human primates. She continued training as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Kentucky working on studies of neuroprotection in non-human primate and rodent models of Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury. Lisa then expanded her study to spinal cord injury as a senior research associate in the KSCIRC at the University of Louisville. Dr. Potts oversees the anatomy and neuroscience courses in the ASOT program and serves as the chair of the University’s Research Ethics Committee.

Juliet Steffe, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Director of Academic Fieldwork
jsteffe@spalding.edu

Dr. Juliet Steffe is the Director of Academic Fieldwork with the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy at Spalding. In addition, she teaches a documentation course in the entry-level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. She graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in 1995 with a Master of Occupational Therapy. Early in her career, she worked for Shriners Hospitals for Children, where she gained interest and experience in pediatric hand therapy. After moving to Atlanta, GA, in 2000, Dr. Steffe joined Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. While at CHOA, she worked with children with neurological and orthopedic conditions. She completed training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment in 2003 and began work on a doctorate in OT with a focus on upper extremity rehabilitation. While completing a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, she worked in the field of adult hand therapy. She earned an OTD from the Univ. of St. Augustine in 2005. In 2006 she received board certification in hand therapy. The focus of her practice as an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist has been working with adults and children recovering from either traumatic or chronic upper extremity conditions. She is working on a Doctorate of Education at the University of St. Augustine. Outside of her work at Spalding, Dr. Steffe volunteers on the Leadership Committee with the American Society of Hand Therapy. She also volunteers with the Louisville chapter of the American Red Cross as a blood drive ambassador.

Laura Schluter Strickland, EdD, OTR/L, CLT, FAOTA

Professor Emeritus
lstrickland@spalding.edu

Dr. Laura Strickland taught in the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy from January 1997 – August 2023. She received her BS in Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She holds a Master of Arts in Behavioral Health from the University of Houston, a Master of Health Science from the University of Florida, and a Doctorate in Leadership from Spalding University. Dr. Laura served on the Kentucky Board of Licensure in Occupational Therapy for over 12 years, and she holds an advanced certification as a lymphedema therapist and is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association. During her tenure at Spalding University, she served in multiple leadership roles including Program Chair of the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy and Associate Dean of the Kosair College of Health and Natural Sciences. Dr. Laura enjoyed teaching ethics, management, and leadership courses, and remains passionate about her role in supporting and guiding ASOT graduates in their journey to successfully complete the NBCOT OTR® Certification Examination.

L. Randy Strickland, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Professor Emeritus
rstrickland@spalding.edu

Dr. Randy Strickland’s tenure at Spalding University ranged from 1996 when he was recruited as the founding director of the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy, until August 2023. Dr. Strickland received his BS in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University and earned his Master of Education (MEd) and doctorate (EdD) from North Carolina State University. He is a fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) and an invited charter member of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Living Legacy Society. He has led extensive rehabilitation programs in several states including Kentucky, Texas, and North Carolina. Past service contributions to the profession include state association president, a member of both the Kentucky and Texas occupational therapy licensure boards, Vice President of the American Occupational Therapy Association, and President of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. After extensive service including practice administration, founding director of the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy, and Spalding University Provost, Dr. Strickland served as a Professor of Occupational Therapy with teaching responsibilities in leadership, management, and program development/evaluation.