The American Occupational Therapy Association has named a UWM College of Health Sciences associate professor as one of the most influential people in her field’s history.

Virginia Stoffel, associate professor of occupational science and technology, appears on the association’s list of 100 people who have influenced occupational therapy in the past century.

Stoffel’s research focuses on mental illness, substance abuse, psychosocial clubhouses, parenting children with autism and students’ transitions from military to civilian life.

The association released the list to commemorate its 2017 centennial. Stoffel facilitated leadership training through the association’s emerging leadership development program and its Middle Manager Leadership Institute. She also served as the association’s president from 2013 through 2016.

“A scroll through the list finds her in rather remarkable company,” said Jay Kapellusch, associate professor and chair of occupational science and technology. “Ginny is an inspirational leader and a strong advocate for mental health.”