Aug. 30, 2026
Rachel Wolpert, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FACRM, associate professor and associate chair for research in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the Mizzou College of Health Sciences, has been named the Encompass Health Professor in Rehabilitation. The professorship recognizes a faculty member whose scholarship, innovation and leadership advance their discipline and improve patient outcomes.
“Dr. Wolpert is a leader in rehabilitation research in the field of occupational therapy and is well deserving of this recognition,” said Stephanie Reid-Arndt, dean of the College of Health Sciences.
Wolpert’s research examines how technology can support health, independence and participation in everyday activities. Her current projects include studies of smart-home sensors for older adults and new approaches to helping people adapt and thrive after stroke. She serves as a principal investigator and collaborator on multiple federally funded research projects. In 2024, she was named a Fellow of both the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
“We are grateful for the continued support of Encompass Health,” said Todd Pridemore, senior director of advancement. “This endowed professorship position helps us recognize and retain exceptional faculty in the College of Health Sciences.”
