Johanne Walker
Role and profile
Johanne is a lecturer in the Occupational Science and Therapy Program, within the Faculty of Health and is situated at the Waterfront campus. Johanne’s main responsibilities at Deakin are: to manage and teach within two Level 2 units; supervise OT students during fieldwork placements; and build internationalism within the OT Program by liaising with relevant stakeholders, such as OT staff and students, relevant international partner organizations and Deakin International staff. In addition, Johanne has teaching responsibilities in other units and year levels within the OT Program. Previous to 2008, Johanne held clinical positions in the field of Occupational Therapy, predominately in the area of physical rehabilitation, with a particular interest in rehabilitation post stroke. This experience has equipped her with an excellent knowledge of the rehabilitation process and appropriate evidence-based interventions for clients requiring neurological occupational therapy. Teaching responsibilities
Unit Chair: HSO207, Neuroscience and HSO206, Occupational Development, Disability and Adaption BDeakin Fieldwork Supervisor: HSO205, HSO206 International Liaison: OT Program Research interests
Johanne is keenly interested in the brain’s plastic capacity, especially following a neurological incident, so research interests include exploration of occupational therapists’ ability to facilitate and harness this capacity, within clinical and health promotion settings. Research projects relate to the facilitation of constraint-induced movement therapy and other evidence-based techniques into clinical practice and an exploration of the experience of using a novel cognitive program with a healthy older population. Awards and prizes
Walker, J. (April, 2012). Sponsored guest lecturer, OT Program, VIA University College, Aarhus & Holstebro Campuses, Denmark. Topic: Occupational Therapy and Brain Plasticity. Walker, J. (2004 - 2008). Australian Government Rural and Remote Health Professionals Scholarship. (For professional development education - Master in Occupational Therapy) Walker, J. (2007). Certificate of Achievement, Barwon Health Quality Improvement Award: Introduction of evidence-based somatosensory discrimination retraining to community OT neuro-rehabilitation service, McKellar Centre. Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria. Memberships
Australian Association of Occupational Therapists
Service to the University, discipline or community
Peer reviewer for Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
Conferences
Walker, J. (2012). Evidence-based Techniques in Stroke Rehab: Meeting the Challenges. Oral presentation given to Hamilton Health Allied Health Staff, Hamilton Hospital.Walker, J. (2011). Facilitating neuroplasticity: Evidence-based novel interventions for occupational therapy practice. Oral presentation given at the National Occupational Therapy Conference, Gold Coast. Walker, J. & George, R. (2010). Barriers and Enablers. The use of constraint induced movement therapy within Victorian occupational therapy practice. Oral presentation given at the Australian State Occupational Therapy Conference, Melbourne. Walker, J. & Carey, L. (2008). Predictors of success following generalized somatosensory training in the hand following stroke. Oral poster session presented at the Australian National Occupational Therapy Conference, Melbourne, Victoria. Walker, J. (2007). Characteristics influencing success following generalized somatosensory training in the hand following stroke. Oral presentation given at the Allied Health Forum, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria. Walker, J. & Wild, D. (2003). Forced use: Does it force recovery? Poster session presented at the Australian National Occupational Therapy Conference, Melbourne. |
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21st May 2012