Senior Director of Neuropsychology, Lincoln and Omaha Campuses
[email protected]

Education
BA (1985), University of South Dakota
MA and PhD (1992), University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Professional Interests
Neuropsychology, rehabilitation psychology, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, dementia

Populations Served
Adults with neurological impairments or other disabling conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, or dementia for both inpatients and outpatients.

Former program leader for Madonna’s multidisciplinary CARF-Accredited Spinal Cord Injury Program (2000-2007)

Therapy Specialty Areas
Cognitive assessment, rehabilitation psychology, behavioral management, adjustment counseling. Assessment and differential diagnosis of dementia.

Advanced credentials in specific areas of therapy
Certified Instructor for Crisis Prevention Institute since 2008-2017.

Professional Organizations and Boards
American Psychological Association

Selected Presentations
“Distinguishing Dementia Syndromes”
Saint Francis Medical Center, Grand Island NE, 6/30/09

“Coping with Dementia”
NE Alzheimer’s Association, May 2009

“Medical Aspects of Dementia”
NE Alzheimer’s Association Annual Conference, 2/21/09

“Attitudes and Interactions in Rehabilitation”
2008-2009 Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital (Multiple Audiences)

“Psychosocial Aspects of Stroke”
2007 Nebraska Stroke Symposium, 10/13/06

“Behavioral Problems in Alzheimer’s Disease”
NE Alzheimer’s Association Support Group, 8/9/06

“Preparing Spinal Cord Injured Patients for Rehab”
Truman Medical Center, Kansas City MO, 2/16/05
Creighton Medical Center, Omaha NE, 1/3/05
Nebraska Social Workers Association, 10/22/04
BryanLGH West Trauma Rounds, Lincoln NE, 8/23/02
St Joseph’s Hospital, Omaha NE, 10/24/01

“Negotiating Professional Boundaries in Medical/Rehab Settings”
Madonna Respiratory Therapy Dept, 1/26/05
Madonna Ventilator Assisted Unit, 1/3/05
Chip Woods Assisted Living Home, 10/24/00
NE Day Services Association, 4/12/01

“Overview of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation”
Nebraska Health Services, Omaha NE, 3/23/03
Lincoln Neuropsychology Group Grand Rounds, 10/15/02
Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney NE, 4/2002
Nebraska Medical Records Technicians Assoc, Lincoln NE, 3/15/02
Midlands Rehab Discharge Planners Meeting, 1/14/02
Lancaster Society of Clinical Lab Scientists, Lincoln NE, 3/8/01

“Spinal Cord Injury Cure Research”
Lincoln Neuropsychology Group Grand Rounds, 12/10/03

“Traumatic Brain Injury and Behavior”
ESU#9, Hastings NE, 3/16/99

“Relaxation Strategies for Staff”
Nursing Staff, Crete Municipal Hospital, 5/12/99

“Preventing Spinal Cord Injuries”
Lux Middle School, Lincoln NE, 3/6/98

“Finding Meaning in Adversity”
Lincoln SCI Support Group, 6/9/99

“Dealing with Noncompliance in Medical Settings”
Fillmore County Hospital, Geneva NE, 10/20/98

“Aging and Traumatic Brain Injury”
Brain Injury Association of Nebraska. 10/10/98

“Managing Disorganized Behavior”
Fillmore County Hospital, Geneva, NE, 9/96

“Managing Interpersonal Conflict”
NE Multiple Sclerosis Society, 6/96

“Psychosocial Aspects of Stroke”
Metro Community College, 2/95

“Managing Noncompliance”
Nebraska Hospital Association, 10/94

Selected Research Activities
“Two Efficient Cognitive Tests to Assess Fall Risk Following
Rehabilitation for Stroke” (2006; unpublished research study)
Travis Groft, PhD; Bill Shuart, PhD; Linda Storz, OTR/L; Susan Houchens, COTA/R;
Megan Waldren, OTR/L; Judy Harvey, MS, CCC-SLP

A Comparison of Three Types of Auditory Cueing on the Responses of Normal Persons and Persons with Dementia. (1998; unpublished research study)
Travis Groft, PhD; Jan Fitzsimmons, RN

Groft, T. (1992) “Stressful Events, Social Support, and Burnout Among Mental Retardation Professionals”
Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Groft, T & Sarata, B. (1989) “Commitment and Burnout in Human Services Employees”
Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln