Amy Rowntree Darragh, OTR/L, PhD 

Assistant Professor 

Interests and Expertise
Dr. Darragh's research focuses on occupational and community health. Her current research interests include (1) ergonomics and occupational health; specifically safe patient handling and movement; (2) health literacy as a construct in occupational health and ergonomics; (3) health literacy; specifically interactive health literacy, in individual's and families with disabilities, (3) and the relation between occupational engagement and perceived health. Dr. Darragh's research has included members of many occupational groups (e.g.: farm workers, construction workers, cytotechnologists) and members of a number of disability groups (e.g.: individuals with traumatic brain injury and families of children with disabilities). Her clinical work included clients with a variety of neurological disorders (TBI, SCI, MS), chronic illnesses (diabetes, CHF, COPD), and pediatric disorders (premature birth, cerebral palsy, down syndrome).

Dr. Darragh's teaching interests include research design and methodology, epidemiology and community health, gerontology, and distance education.

Recent Publications
Darragh, A. R., Stallones, L., Bigelow, PL, Keefe, T.J. (2004). The effectiveness of the HomeSafe Pilot Program in reducing injury rates among residential construction workers, 1994-1998. American Journal of Medicine, 45 (2); 210-217

Cooper, S., Darragh, A.R., et al. (2001) perceptions of risk among children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 40:531-537

Darragh, A.R., Krieger, S., & Sample, P. (2001). Tears in my eyes, cause somebody finally understood: client perceptions of practitioners following brain injury. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(2): 191-199

XIang, H, Stallones, L. Hairi, S, Darragh, A, Chiu, Y, and Gibbs-Long, J. (1999). Back pain among persons working on small or family farms-Eight Colorado counties, 1993-1997. Morbidity and Mortaligy Weekly Report, 48 (15): 301-304

Sample, P. & Darragh, A. R. (1998). Perceptions of intervention efficacy: the experiences of women with acquired brain injury. Brain injury, 12(10): 855-874

Darragh, A. R., Stallones, L., Sample, P., Sweitzer, K. (1998). perceptions of farm hazards and personal safety behavior among adolescent farm workers. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, Special Issue(1): 159-169

Darragh, A. R. & Sample, P. (1998). The effect on the environment on functional performance: use of the assessment of motor and process skills with adults with acquired brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, (79): 418-423

Sample, P. & Rowntree, A. (1995). Employment intervention strategies for individuals with brain injury. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, (9): 45-56.

Education
Ph.D., Colorado State University, Epidemiology, 2001
M.S., Colorado State University, Occupational Therapy, 1995
B.A., Barnard College, Psychology, 1988