Dear Staff and Student Colleagues 

Congratulations to  Dr Pam Gretschel who was appointed Head of Division: Occupational Therapy on 1 May 2023 in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (DHRS). I wish her all  the best and look forward to working with her.  I am deeply grateful to  A/Prof Helen Buchanan for her leadership and valuable contributions to the Faculty community during her tenure. 

Pam  Gretschel  is a Senior Lecturer whose teaching and research interests focus on paediatric occupational therapy and research methods, with a particular interest in challenging dominant discourses which may limit the potential of practice to respond to social injustices. She is passionate about ensuring that occupational therapy practice for children and their families is positioned to respond to their needs in a relevant and collaborative manner.

Her commitment to this is evident in the support and mentorship she provides to colleagues, postgraduate students and various organisations working to address the needs of children. Pam publishes in peer reviewed journals and contributes to books which share examples of relevant and responsive practice.  Pam  also reviews papers for various journals, and is an assistant editor for the South African Journal of Occupational Therapy. 

I wish you well and looking forward to our future collaboration. 
 
Kaise ke gangans
Associate Professor Lionel Green-Thompson
Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences