April C. Cowan, OTD, OTR, CHT, is the Chair ad interim and an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the UTMB School of Health Professions. Dr. Cowan received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from UTMB and her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Rocky Mountain University.
Her scholarly interests include the use of tests and measures to assess hand function, post-burn rehabilitation, and evidence-based practice. In addition to her teaching hours, service commitments, and scholarly responsibilities, Dr. Cowan maintains clinical practice in the area of pediatric burn rehabilitation, with an emphasis on managing the severely traumatized hand.
Dr. Cowan is the faculty advisor for the Nu Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon, the national occupational therapy honor society and a member of the board of directors for both the American Hand Therapy Foundation and the Texas Society for Hand Therapy. She maintains active professional memberships in the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA), and the American Society of Hand Therapists.
Teaching Interest
- Anatomy
- Capstone Project Development
- Ergonomics
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Kinesiology
- Mental Health Fieldwork
- Musculoskeletal Practice
- Professional Development
- Sexuality and Disability