Author: Haley Potter

Meet Gabby Imfeld! Gabby is currently a third-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program here at the University of Kentucky. 

Gabby initially found interest in physical therapy in high school when she began shadowing an Early Intervention Physical Therapist. Her interest in pediatrics continued throughout her education. 

For her completion of her undergraduate degree at Cedarville University, her senior research addressed long-term effects of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).

Passionate about addressing the Social Determinants of Health, she identifies these factors in different patient populations for her research. 

Gabby is currently enrolled as a trainee in the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. LEND is a five-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau in partnership with the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University. 

These programs share the overall mission of improving the health of infants, children, and adolescents with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. LEND aims to increase the number of professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based screening and diagnosis, as well as support to individuals and families.

Through the LEND program, Gabby hopes to learn more about individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and looks forward to serving as an advocate for these patients as a clinician.Visit www.hdi.uky.edu/kylend to learn more.

Contact the Kentucky LEND Project Director caroline.gooden@uky.edu with any questions or to schedule an informational session for your department and interested students!

Meet Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jonathan Drummond USAF (retired)! Jon comes to the University of Kentucky with an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Kansas State University) and an M.A. in Social Psychology (Princeton University). Jon is a research assistant for the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute and is pursuing a PhD in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. 

Jon’s primary research interest is the therapeutic value of sequenced physical activity (ie., martial arts, dance, climbing, etc.) for those with neurodevelopmental and other disabilities. Other research interests include:

• Project NEXT: An effort focused on improving academic success in college and job placement for those with autism and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Understanding and addressing the growing epidemic of dynapenia and obesity in youth
• Physiological and psychological aspects of and benefits for women who engage in stereotypically non-feminine sports (ie., powerlifting and fighting)
• Optimization of strength and explosive power in competitive athletes

Lt Col Drummond retired from the United States Special Operations Command in 2010 where he worked with many U.S. allies in the Middle East and ran the Counter-Radicalization Branch. Prior to coming to UK, he created training, education standards, and content for eleven career fields across all military services. 

Finally, Jon has a competitive history in multiple sports with his prime achievement being six world championships in the sport of powerlifting.  

Jon is currently enrolled as a trainee in the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. LEND is a five-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau in partnership with the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University. 

These programs share the overall mission of improving the health of infants, children, and adolescents with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. LEND aims to increase the number of professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based screening and diagnosis, as well as support to individuals and families.

Visit www.hdi.uky.edu/kylend to learn more. Contact the Kentucky LEND Project Director caroline.gooden@uky.edu with any questions or to schedule an informational session for your department and interested students!

Meet Nicholas Hoffman! Nicholas is a fourth-year student at Eastern Kentucky University’s Doctor of Psychology program and is currently enrolled in classes and accruing hours to sit for the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst exam as he works toward becoming a Licensed Psychologist and Behavior Analyst.

Nicholas currently provides services through the EKU Psychology clinic as well as a local private practice. Nicholas has previously worked in a community mental health clinic, as well as a  state psychiatric hospital. All of this work has focused on neurodevelopmental disabilities, particularly with autism. 

Nicholas is currently enrolled as a trainee in the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute’s (HDI) Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. LEND is a five-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau in partnership with the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University. 

These programs share the overall mission of improving the health of infants, children, and adolescents with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. LEND aims to increase the number of professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based screening and diagnosis, as well as support to individuals and families.

Through the LEND Program, Nicholas hopes to learn more about interdisciplinary consultation, and looks forward to incorporating the perspectives of self-advocates in his work.

Visit www.hdi.uky.edu/kylend to learn more. Contact the Kentucky LEND Project Director caroline.gooden@uky.edu with any questions or to schedule an informational session for your department and interested students!

Meet Hope Leet Dittmeier! Hope has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over forty years. Hope has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation from the University of Kentucky, and her work is guided by Social Role Valorization (SRV) theory.

Hope’s interest in the LEND program stems from her three-year-old grandson, Axl, who was recently diagnosed with Autism. Hope is determined to be the best grandmother, YaYa, to him. She achieves this by providing him with assistance to be fully integrated into his home, school, and community and by doing whatever it takes to provide him joy, belonging, and pride.

Within the past fifteen years of her forty year career, Hope has served as a trainer and consultant in Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada. 

She currently serves as the Executive Director at Mattingly Edge,  a non-profit organization that serves the Louisville community. Mattingly Edge cultivates partnerships which enable people with disabilities to thrive in environments such as at work, at home, and in their relationships. Hope was instrumental in transforming Mattingly Center’s previous large-congregated and segregated adult day health care program into Mattingly Edge which provides 100% customized, individualized, and community-based support. 

Hope is currently enrolled as a trainee in the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute’s (HDI) Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. LEND is a five-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau in partnership with the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University. 

These programs share the overall mission of improving the health of infants, children, and adolescents with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. LEND aims to increase the number of professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based screening and diagnosis, as well as support to individuals and families.Visit www.hdi.uky.edu/kylend to learn more. Contact the Kentucky LEND Project Director caroline.gooden@uky.edu with any questions or to schedule an informational session for your department and interested students!