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Kimatha Grice, O.T.D., OTR, CHT, associate professor of occupational therapy, has received the 2016 School of Health Professions Spectrum Award.

The Spectrum Award, given annually, recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates all-around excellence in teaching, service, research and scholarship.  It is the highest award granted to a faculty member by the School of Health Professions.

“Dr. Grice has made significant contributions that impact all three of our mission components – education, research and service,” said Karin Barnes, Ph.D., OTR, chair and associate professor of occupational therapy.  “We are very proud of her accomplishments and continued dedication to our students and practice.”

Excellence in teaching

“Excellence in teaching is demonstrated by Dr. Grice at all levels,” said Dr. Barnes. “She is dedicated to providing evidence-based instruction to all of her students. Her courses are difficult but meaningful and many students appreciate the way she pushes them to develop comprehensive knowledge and skills.”

Dr. Grice has been awarded several teaching awards in the past. She was honored with a Presidential Excellence in Teaching award in 2001 by the University of Texas Health Science Center. In 2008, she was inducted into the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Academy of Master Teachers, and in 2010 was named as a Distinguished Teaching Professor by the UT System.

Excellence in service

In addition to teaching a full load of courses and involvement on many committees for the School of Health Professions, Dr. Grice continues to serve patients as a certified hand therapist.  She also brings smiles and joy to her patients as Tutti Frutti, her clown alter ego. Dr. Grice has been clowning since 1991, bringing Tutti Frutti into the lives of her patients, hospitalized children and adults, charity events, birthday parties, nursing homes and community events.

Excellence in scholarship and research

Dr. Grice is involved in several research projects and collaborations that contribute to the practice of occupational therapy. She is currently a co-investigator on a two projects. “Well Elder” is a project investigating health and its impact on the activity participation among a culturally diverse elderly population and “Occupational Therapy and Alzheimer’s disease: Movement Toward Improvement Research.”