Occupational Therapy
Dr. Don Kallembach is the founding program director for Maria College’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program and an Associate Professor of Health Sciences. Dr. Kallembach is a Registered/Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Dr. Kallembach has worked in human services for more than 30 years and has been an occupational therapist since 1998. Prior to becoming and occupational therapist, he worked for 10 years in social service agencies in both direct service and administrative roles. As an occupational therapist, Dr. Kallembach has worked in mental health, pediatrics, developmental disabilities, community practice and physical dysfunction settings. Notably, he has worked full time in higher education as faculty and program director, for both occupational therapist assistant and occupational therapy training programs, for 13 years.
He is a strong advocate for liberal arts education. His core professional values include the use of evidence-based practice informed by Humanistic and Existential philosophy that places students and clients as the center of education and practice. He believes fervently in service to others, social responsibility, the value of the arts and opportunity education, which are at the core of the Maria College’s Mission.
Dr. Kallembach is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and has presented at national conferences. He has also presented for Occupational Therapy Associations in Missouri, Illinois, and New Mexico. His scholarship work is in the areas of reflective hermeneutics and ethics.
Education
- Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University
- Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Springfield College
- Masters of Arts degree in Healthcare Ethics from Saint Louis University
- Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Chatham University
Contact
dkallembach@mariacollege.edu
(518) 461-1511
Dr. Alton Brisport is a Registered/Licensed Occupational Therapist and National Board-Certified Hand Therapist. His clinical professional career extends the duration of approximately 32 years, with 29 years at the Stratton Albany Veterans Affairs Hospital. His diverse clinical experience is attributed to an amalgamation of employment opportunities at multiple health care facilities, including Hospitals, Hand Specialty Clinic, Nursing Home-Rehabilitation and Home Care.
Dr. Brisport practices rehabilitation of complex orthopedic disorders and pathologies related to the upper quadrant. He is proficient in conducting assessments and therapeutic interventions to resolve and enhance biomechanical efficiency to attain functional performance. Additionally, he performs pre and post-surgical therapeutic intervention pertaining to Orthopedic and Plastic patients. He currently develops and modify patient specific protocol and engages in diagnostic and analysis of disorders and trauma involving the upper quadrant. Finally, Dr. Brisport employs administrative responsibilities, pertaining to the clinical management and intern preceptor/supervisor.
Dr. Brisport completed Post Graduate studies directed in the pursuit of Certified Hand and Upper Quadrant Rehabilitation specialist. He also completed certification in the area Basic Kinesiotaping Certification. Dr. Brisport has aggressively pursued enhancing his clinical skills by attending, participating, and presenting in numerous educational seminars, including monthly Orthopedic /Plastic grand rounds at Albany Medical Center. Additional clinical scholarly endeavors include, writing articles, modifying protocol, designing orthosis and therapeutic hand exercise equipment, and performing multiple clinical article reviews and research.
Dr. Brisport was also employed as an Adjunct Instructor for over 12 years, in higher education institutions, including Maria College, SUNY Schenectady and Mildred Elley (Albany campus). His dedication to the field of higher education was evident by his tenure as a member of the SUNY Schenectady Board of Trustees.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Herbert H. Lehman College
- Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University
- Post-Graduate Professional Program, Certification in Hand and Upper Quarter Rehabilitation from MCP Hahnemann University-Drexel University
- Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy from St. Augustine University
Contact
(518) 861-5227
abrisport@mariacollege.edu
Karyn is an Associate Professor in the MS in Occupational Therapy program. Karyn has worked with both the adult and pediatric populations in varied treatment environments.
Education
- MA in Occupational Therapy, New York University
- Ph.D. Occupational Therapy, Nova Southeastern University
Certifications
- Occupational Therapist, Registered, Licensed
Contact
(518) 861-2535
kshenker-gould@mariacollege.edu
Jessica Evans is a member of the core faculty for the MSOT program at Maria College she is a registered/licensed occupational therapist.
Jessica has taken a strong interest in working with medically complex patients. Jessica took a particular interest in working in the intensive care unit. She piloted many early mobility and ADL participation initiatives and programs alongside fabulous physical therapy and nursing collaborators. From that experience, she learned the value of interdisciplinary care. Jessica was passionate about advocating occupational therapy to be an understood and integral part of the medical team during her time in acute care hospitals.
She campaigned to make occupational therapists eligible to become admissions facilitators for a locally renowned inpatient acute rehabilitation facility. Jessica became the first non-registered nurse to fill the position. The position now is a dynamic, skilled, interdisciplinary team composed of diverse professional backgrounds, each offering a unique, important perspective because of her relentless advocating. She excelled in facilitating the transition from acute care to inpatient acute rehabilitation. She gained extensive medical knowledge while working as a rehabilitation admission facilitator and gained tremendous insight into healthcare systems' critical needs and operations. She still holds a per diem position to continue to build her knowledge and feels passionate that students gain insight to medical and operational information.
She was interested in assessing and treating functional cognitive deficits. She attended many courses and seminars to improve intervention strategies for this population. In the departments she has been a part of, she continues to educate other professionals about the role and skills occupational therapists have to assess and treat people with cognitive impairment. She is a strong supporter of occupational therapy's role within this population. Jessica has worked for some of the most acclaimed facilities in the capital region. These experiences have shaped her professionally, and she has many unique experiences that aid her teaching abilities.
Education
Bachelors of Science in Psychology, Health and Wellness from Russell Sage College
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Russell Sage College
Doctoral Candidate for May 2024- Binghamton University
Contact
(518) 320-0620
jevans@mariacollege.edu
Ms. Kara L. P. Fumarola is a Registered/Licensed Occupational Therapist with National Board Certification. Her clinical professional career extends the duration of 25 years.
Ms. Fumarola’s clinical practice has included experience in short term rehab, long-term care, Director of Rehab for 6 years, acute care, early intervention, home care, school based and outpatient neuro, hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. She also provides OT services for the “Aging in Place Safely Program” and driving assessments.
Ms. Fumarola has completed certifications in Compassion Fatigue, CarFit and the “We Need to Talk” driver safety program. Ms. Fumarola presented at the AOTA conference on “A Needs Assessment Survey of Adaptive Equipment for Cardiac Patients”, which included a prototype for adaptive equipment. Ms. Fumarola won the Maddox Award. Ms. Fumarola has assertively pursued enhancing her clinical and management skills by attending, participating and presenting in numerous educational seminars and conferences. Ms. Fumarola completed weekly orthopedic rounds, teaching the weekly total joint replacement and spine classes, OT monthly meeting leader, management meetings, developing the Aging in Place and driving programs, and assisting in running an out-patient clinic.
Education
· Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational therapy from Russell Sage College
· Bachelor’s Degree in Human Science and Services, Family Studies and Counseling with a minor in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island
· Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Russell Sage College
· In pursuant of a Doctoral Degree in Occupation Therapy from Marymount University with anticipated graduation date of May 2024
· Additional studies in Law, History and Communication at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Contact
(518) 903-6454
kfumarola@mariacollege.edu
OTA
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Meghan is an experienced COTA, vision rehabilitation therapist, and fieldwork educator. She is the Director of Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Maria, who teaches, coordinates all fieldwork, and works as a COTA in pediatrics.
Education
MPH in Public Health from Purdue University
BS in Liberal Studies and Psychology from Excelsior College
Certifications, Licenses, Affiliations
Certified Occupational Therapist, Licensed
Contact
(518) 861-2549
mmalone@mariacollege.edu
Contact
(518) 861-2547
dlebeau@mariacollege.edu