Gail Fisher
Clinical Associate Professor, Associate Department Head for Administration, Occupational Therapy
Director of MS Admissions, Occupational Therapy
Focus Areas
Office Phone
Office
1919 W. Taylor St., 317A AHSB
Mail Code
811
Office Hours
By appointment
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About
Dr. Fisher has had clinical and administrative roles in a variety of hospital, school and community settings. She has been a clinical faculty member at UIC for over 20 years. She teaches students about the theories used in occupational therapy practice, and a course covering health care and occupational therapy delivery systems, the impact of policy and payment trends on practice, and advocacy. Dr. Fisher completed a PhD in Health Services Research in the UIC School of Public Health and is a nationally known expert on health care reform and its impact on occupational therapy practice in primary care and hospital practice. She was involved in the creation and refinement of two assessments based on the Model of Human Occupation, the Worker Role Interview and the Residential Environment Impact Scale. Dr. Fisher coordinates the department’s participation in the college’s Health & Diversity Academy, which includes community-based service learning experiences for MS students.
Selected Publications
The Environment and Human Occupation in R. Taylor (Ed.) Kielhofner's model of human occupation: Theory and application (5th Ed.), Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
“Comparing and using occupation-focused models”, Occupational Therapy in Health Care
Publication Aggregators
Service to the Community
Ms. Fisher's community partners include El Valor Corp., a community-based agency in Pilsen serving adults with intellectual disabilities, and St. Leonard's Ministries, which provides a high school completion program for formerly incarcerated adults.
Leadership in the Profession
American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee, Chair, 2013-2015; Board Director 2009-2013
American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee, Member, Circle of Advisors, 2015 to present
Notable Honors
2017 - Excalibur Award for Teaching Excellence in Occupational Therapy, UIC College of Applied Health Sciences, selected by graduating MS Occupational Therapy students
2016 - Applied Health Sciences Educator of the Year, UIC College of Applied Health Sciences
2012 - Fellow, American Occupational Therapy Association
2012 - American Occupational Therapy Foundation, founding member of the Leaders and Legacies Society
Education
PhD in Public Health Sciences, Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2017
MPA, Master of Public Administration, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, 1988
BS, Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1980