Dr. Rebecca Craik, Professor and Chair of Physical Therapy, is one of 13 scientists named to a new blue ribbon medical rehabilitation research panel on Sept. 1.

The panel, which will review medical rehabilitation research at the National Institutes of Health, was convened as a result of discussions between the medical rehabilitation research community, NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., and Alan E. Guttmacher, M.D., Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (See item.)

“The panel members are leaders in the field, chosen for the depth and breadth of their expertise,” said Guttmacher. “We are relying on their combined effort to provide fresh perspective and identify those areas presenting the greatest opportunity for progress in the rehabilitation sciences.”

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting medical research, and seeking causes, treatments, and cures for common and rare diseases. Within the NIH, the NICHD sponsors research on development, maternal, child and family health, population issues, and medical rehabilitation.

“Dr. Craik’s appointment to such a prestigious national panel will not come as a surprise to anyone who knows anything about her work, or Arcadia’s academic excellence,” said Arcadia University President Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III. “We have so many scientific programs of excellence—in addition to providing a top-ranked study abroad experience. Students who are looking for a school where they can get incredible research opportunities with nationally-recognized faculty at a beautiful campus where everybody knows your name—well, Becky Craik shows them the way.”

“The panel will conduct a landmark surveillance of rehabilitation science within the NCMRR and across the NIH to identify the most promising research opportunities,” Dr. Guttmacher said.

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting medical research, and seeking causes, treatments, and cures for common and rare diseases. Within the NIH the NICHD sponsors research on development, maternal, child and family health, population issues, and medical rehabilitation.

The panel will be co chaired by a member of the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council and by a member of the NCMRR Advisory Board, and will report their results to the NICHD Director. A listing of the panel members is available online.