Skip to main content

Main menu

  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Our Team
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Health and Economic Impact
    • Strategic Plan
  • Our Research
    • Research Focus
      • Brain Health
      • Cancer
      • Cardiovascular Conditions and Diseases
      • Digital Health
      • Health Policy
      • Immunity and Infectious Diseases
      • Joint Health and Mobility
      • Respiratory and Lung Health
      • Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation
    • Research Centres and Programs
      • BC Centre on Substance Use
      • Centre for Aging SMART
      • Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation
      • Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation
      • Centre for Lung Health
      • Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
      • Immunity and Infection Research Centre
      • International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries
      • Ovarian Cancer Research Centre
      • Vancouver Prostate Centre
      • Community Research Program
      • Emergency Medicine Research Program
      • Hematology Research Program
      • Skin Research Program
      • Other Research Focus Areas
    • News and Stories
    • Researcher Directory
    • Events and Workshops
  • Research Services
    • New to VCHRI
      • Working at VCHRI
      • Regulations and Training
      • Membership with VCHRI
    • Starting Your Project
      • Research Facilitation
      • Awards and Funding
      • Grant Management
      • Operational Approval
      • CST Cerner
    • Developing Your Project
      • Clinical Trials Administration
      • Clinical Research Unit
      • Research Privacy
      • Financial Policies and Procedures
    • Additional Support
      • Education and Training
      • Communications and Branding
      • Media Relations
      • Study Recruitment Support
      • Innovation and Industry Partnership
    • Internal Awards
    • Clinical Research
    • Innovation and Partnership
  • Participate in Research
    • Reasons to Participate
    • Participant Stories
    • Find a Study
    • Recruitment Support

User menu

  • Log in

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Our Research
  3. News and Stories
  4. People in profile: Debra Field

People in profile: Debra Field

Aug 6, 2015 3 minutes

Meet Debbie – occupational therapist and researcher empowering children with mobility challenges.

Q: What is your research area and why does it interest you?
A: 
My research area focuses on identifying appropriate measurement tools to evaluate how power mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, ride-on toy cars, scooters, and standers, make a difference in the lives of children who have difficulty walking. I hope that through research, I’ll be able to support children and their families in doing what they want to do.  

My motivation is empowering individuals with physical disabilities to optimize their participation in meaningful life activities, often using assistive technologies to enhance their independence. 

Q: You had a successful career as an occupational therapist when you began your PhD. What prompted you to focus on research?
A:
 Having spent more than 25 years working with children and adults as an occupational therapist, I want to measure treatment effectiveness more accurately, especially when using assistive technologies. There is increasing demand to demonstrate that the therapeutic interventions we use are backed by research evidence. I am excited to become a clinician scientist, staying involved in clinical practice while contributing to this research.

Q: What has been your proudest achievement so far?
A:
 In 2013, I had the pleasure to work with Dr. Veronica Schiariti and colleagues, developing the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets for children and youth with cerebral palsy. It was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with respected international leaders in paediatric rehabilitation and to contribute to the creation of a template for other ICF paediatric core sets.

In my personal life, my proudest moments relate to parenting my four children – guiding and supporting them as they become the amazing people that they are. 

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A:
Life is a journey, so enjoy the ride!

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A:
Being busy with my PhD, I enjoy the simple pleasures —having a cup of tea, spending time with my husband and kids, and going for walks with my two West Highland terriers. I’m looking forward to travelling and spending time with family and friends when my PhD is complete. 

Q: What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?
A: 
Given that I initiated my PhD later than most, I hope to still be healthy and active in life-long learning and mentoring others.

Q: If you won a free vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A:
My second son was born while we were living in Melbourne, and I’d love to go back to Australia to visit and catch up with friends. While there, I’d connect with health professionals and researchers who share similar interests. 

Researchers

Bill Miller

Related Articles

People in profile: Mina Salehi

Empowering women leaders in health research

People in profile: Barbara Allan

Share:

  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Email

Related Research Centres/Programs

Centre for Aging SMART

Get the latest research headlines in your inbox

Subscribe

Recent News and Stories

Type
Stories

Computer-aided detection and diagnosis of colorectal cancer

May 19, 2023 cancer, technology, gastrointestinal
Type
Stories

Ask an expert: How can I reduce my risk of developing skin cancer?

May 16, 2023 skin, sun, preventative
Type
Stories

Celebrating 20 years of innovation and excellence in research at VCHRI

May 10, 2023 knowledge translation
See more news

Get updates!

Join our newsletter mailing list to stay up to date on features and releases.

Subscribe

Quick Links

  • News and Stories
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Media Enquiries

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

© 2023 VCHRI. All rights reserved.

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy