Dr. David Levine

Levine Receives Occupational Therapy Award from TOTA

Dr. David Levine, UC Foundation professor of physical therapy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, has been awarded the 2003 Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association Award of Excellence by the members of TOTA.

He was honored for his work assisting TOTA members toward becoming certified in Physical Agent Modalities. PAMs are used to control pain and reduce swelling.“For the last three years, David had been instrumental in assisting occupational therapists across the state gain certification,” said Nelia Westenberger, TOTA’s executive director. “He has given up a lot of his time to educate OT professionals.”

PAMs are defined as modalities that produce a biophysical response through the use of light, water, temperature, sound, electricity or mechanical devices, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association. They are typically used as an adjunct to treatment and are used on a wide variety of diagnoses such as low back pain, tennis elbow and stroke among others.

“I have been privileged to work with the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association on this collaborative effort that strives to improve patient care in the state of Tennessee,” Levine said.

Levine has educated hundreds of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants from across the state, Westenberger said. It is Levine’s efforts that continue to strengthen the profession.

Levine is world renowned for researching whether physical therapy after surgery can help injured animals, particularly working dogs like police dogs. He recently was a guest lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College in England where he spoke on veterinary applications to postoperative animal rehabilitation.

“He continues to help us when we call upon him,” Westenberger said. “He is a good friend to the organization.”