Theresa Berner, MOT, OTR/L, ATP

Berner Theresa 825x990Overview

Theresa F. Berner, MOT, OTR/L, ATP
Rehabilitation Clinic Manager for the Assistive Technology Center

Division of Occupational Therapy

Morehouse Pavilion, 3A
2050 Kenny Road
Columbus, Ohio 43221

614-293-3847

theresa.berner@osumc.edu

Professional Areas of Interest

  • Wheelchair Seating and Positioning
  • Assistive Technology
  • Adapted Sports 
  • Outcomes related to wheelchair use and assistive technology
  • Spinal Cord Injury and  Neuromuscular Disease

Overview

My career mission is to bridge research, policy, and practice so that wheelchairs are not just devices, but lifelines to dignity and independence. In my daily work, I see how proactive, equitable, and evidence‑based service delivery can fundamentally change the lives of wheelchair users, including those in rural, underserved, and minority communities who often face systemic barriers to accessing CRT. I am passionate about the role of the clinician as part of the complex rehab team to advocate for the needs of the patients. Engagement in the OT program directly advances that mission by strengthening the scientific foundation needed for early detection of emerging musculoskeletal risk, individualized wheelchair configuration, and preventative, follow‑up-driven models of care.

Recent Publications

Beauregard, T. A., Schein, R. M., Berner, T. F., McKernan, G., Schmeler, M. R., Dicianno, B. E., & DiGiovine, C. P. (2025). Investigation of stakeholder perceptions of the wheelchair service delivery process. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-9.

Nooijen, C., Berner, T., Di Giovine., C. (2025) Power Assist Devices and Other Alternative Drive Mechanisms for Manual Wheelchairs. In M. Lange & J. Minkel (Eds.), Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a Clinical Resource Guide (2nd ed., pp. 317-332). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003526377

Mhatre, A., Zhao, M., DiGiovine, C., Berner, T., & Gauen, E. (2024). Identifying risk factors for wheelchair damage, part failure, and adverse consequences to the user. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2428296

Stojkov, A. D., Schein, R. M., Berner, T., Beauregard, T., & DiGiovine, C. P. (2024). Common reasons for non-participation during the outcome measurement process: wheeled mobility service delivery quality improvement reporting. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 19(4), 1210-1216.

Worobey, L. A., Bernstein, J., Ott, J., Berner, T., Black, J., Cabarle, M., ... & Betz, K. (2023). RESNA position on the application of ultralight manual wheelchairs. Assistive Technology, 1-18.

Recent Presentations

Berner, T. Considerations for delivering effective, efficient, and engaging presentations. OSUMC OT Fellowship Grand Rounds. August 2020. The OSU Medical Center. Columbus Ohio.

Berner, T., Professional Behavior and Ethical Considerations. OSUMC OT Fellowship Grand Rounds. June 2020. The OSU Medical Center . Columbus Ohio.

Berner, T., Brown, R., Erickson, D., Dexter, B., Powell, K., Delivering Effective SCI Rehabilitation Therapies Through Telemedicine. Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Webinar. 6/26/2020

Berner, T., DiGiovine, C., Roesler, T., Faieta, J. Manual Wheelchair Propulsion – An update on the literature, and the application in clinical practice. ISS March 2020
Vancouver British Columbia

Berner, T., Increasing Independence in Mobility by Understanding Options for Complex Rehabilitation Technology Adena Medical Physician Grand Rounds. 1/29/2020/ Adena Health System. Adena Ohio

Major Awards

  • 2022 Samuel McFarland Mentorship Award; Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), Arlington Virginia
  • 2018 Ohio State 2018 Outstanding Clinical Partner Award. The Ohio State University OT Division
  • 2017 Values in Action Award. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • 2016 TLC Distinguished Clinical Award, Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals
  • 2016 Certificate of Appreciation for extraordinary contributions to the advancement of Occupational Therapy in the state of Ohio. Ohio Occupational Therapy Association

Education

  • Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio
  • Child Development (BS), The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
  • Certification: Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP), RESNA