Kent State professor appointed to state therapy board

Abby Prulhiere

Kent State’s athletic training education program coordinator, Kimberly Peer, is now a member of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board.

According to the official website of the State of Ohio, the board is responsible for “issuing and renewing licenses, investigating complaints against licensees, monitoring education requirements and educating licensees of services.”

As a board member, Peer said she will attend meetings, review state statutes, ensure compliance to ethical standards and serve as a liaison to the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association.

Peer said she is excited to make legislative decisions while serving on the board.

“It is a tremendous honor to serve on the board,” Peer said. “It is an opportunity to guide the profession from a legislative perspective and work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals on the board.”

Lynne Rowan, director of the School of Health Sciences, said she is excited for the addition to the board because Peer is enthusiastic, stimulating and insightful.

“[Peer’s] love for her profession comes across clearly as she teaches,” Rowan said. “She has high expectations for her students, and she inspires her students to begin to think of themselves in professional roles.”

Robyn Yeager, Kent State alumna, said she worked with Peer during her last two years of high school and her first two years of college.

“Dr. Peer will absolutely be valuable on the board,” Yeager said. “She has great insight to the field. She knows what the field needs to continue to grow.”

Peer began teaching at Kent State in 1999. She recently received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association award for outstanding education and research in the field. She was also inducted to the Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame.

Peer’s term on the board began Nov. 5, 2012, and will end Aug. 27, 2015.

Contact Abby Prulhiere at [email protected].