Program Faculty and Staff

Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, FGSA is Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida (UF). Dr. Classen, an academic leader, is an internationally funded prevention-oriented rehabilitation scientist with expertise in fitness-to-drive issues in at-risk drivers through the lifespan with content expertise in clinical assessments, driving simulators, on-road assessments, and autonomous vehicles. She has established SmartDriverTM (2017), a clinical driver rehabilitation program at UF, and developed the 14-credit Post-Professional Certificate in Driver Rehabilitation Therapy—with UF being the sole university in the U.S. teaching this program. Dr. Classen applies a public health, rehabilitation science, and clinical perspective to illuminate the depth and breadth of driver rehabilitation as a specialty area. Since 2002, she has received competitive external funding (totaling >$11 million) from U.S. federal agencies, industry, foundations, state departments, and international agencies. She has (co)authored over 220 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and special journal issues; is the editor of a handbook on driving simulation; and has presented 336 papers at scientific conferences. Dr. Classen is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Gerontological Society of America, an inductee of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research, and Chair of the National Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Research Committee (2022-2024).

Beth Anderson Gibson, OTR/L, CDRS is a clinical lecturer in the Occupational Therapy Department, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida. She is the manager of the UF SmartDriver™ Rehab program which provides driver rehabilitation services to the community. She will be teaching in the Driver Rehabilitation Therapy certificate program. She is participating in driving related research initiatives through the Institute for Driving, Activity, Participation and Technology (I-DAPT). Ms. Gibson is a licensed and registered occupational therapist, certified driver rehabilitation specialist and driving instructor. She completed her BS in occupational therapy at the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Gibson has worked in driver rehabilitation for over 25 years providing comprehensive driver evaluations and training to clients across the age spectrum with an emphasis on low- and high-tech equipment. She currently serves on the professional development committee and the speakers bureau of the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED). She is a former ADED executive board member and has been awarded for her volunteer service to that organization. She has provided continuing education presentations on driver rehabilitation topics including adaptive driving equipment and wheelchair/vehicle compatibility both locally and at national conferences such as ADED and RESNA. Her clinical practice experience includes SCI, TBI, MS, CVA, neuropathy, amputees, muscular dystrophies, MCI, dementia and young adults with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, ASD, ADHD, MID and learning disabilities. She has worked in inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, hospital outpatient and private practice settings in the Atlanta area and has provided driver rehab services in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Mr. Allison is an Occupational therapist with a certification in driver rehabilitation, as well as a former assistive technology professional.

Mr. Allison is currently semi-retired. He formerly worked in Atlanta, GA at the Shepherd Center, a rehabilitation hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury. He was employed full time in the driving program. Prior to that, he was a research associate at the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability of Mississippi State University. While at the T.K. Martin Center, he was providing driver evaluations as well as wheelchair seating assessments.

He has extensive experience with occupied wheelchair transportation training, and is well versed in adaptive equipment from low tech to high tech as well as van modifications. He is past president of The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), former member of RESNA committee on wheelchair transportation, with memberships in the association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) and the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). In 2019 he was named the first “Q’manitarian of the year”, from Q’Straint, a leading manufacturer of wheelchair securement products.