Dr. Snodgrass is the Area Chair and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Milligan College (TN). In addition, he holds a graduate faculty appointment at Walden University (Ph.D. programs in public health and health services). Dr. Snodgrass graduated with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University and a M.P.H. with a concentration in Public Health Administration from East Tennessee State University . He holds a Ph.D. in Health Sciences with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from Touro University International. He is a consultant to the American Occupational Therapy Association on an evidence-based research project. He is the Chair of the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Dr. Snodgrass has published peer-reviewed research and practice-oriented articles and presented at the local, state, and national levels covering such topics as administration and leadership, ergonomics, and rehabilitation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. He holds clinical specialty certifications as Certified Work Capacity Evaluator and Board Certified Disability Analyst. He is a fellow of the American College of Disability Analysts. He is licensed to practice occupational therapy in Tennessee and Virginia . He maintains active membership status for the American Occupational Therapy Association, Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association, American Public Health Association, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Dr. Snodgrass is married to Shellena, a pediatric occupational therapist, and has two children, Ansley and Aiden.

In addition to directing the MSOT Program at Milligan, Dr. Snodgrass is responsible for instructing courses in health care administration, health policy and regulation, adult orthopedic physical dysfunction, kinesiology, and work rehabilitation .

Current Research Projects: Leadership and Administration in Health Care and Higher Education, Evidence-based OT Interventions for Work-Related Injuries, and Rehabilitation Workforce Needs Assessment.

Isbell holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and a Master in Health Sciences with a speciality in occupational therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. Her Ph.D. is in Child Development and Family Studies from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville . Dr. Isbell is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and has more than 16 years of experience. She has worked in school systems, hospitals, outpatient facilities, homes and child-care centers. She is trained in Neurodevelopmental Treatment and Sensory Integration Treatment of children. Dr. Isbell maintains her clinical expertise by providing OT services to infants and toddlers. She has co-authored three books which are published by Gryphon House: Sensory Integration: A Guide for Preschool Teachers (2007), The Inclusive Learning Center Book for Young Children with Special Needs (2005) and The Complete Learning Spaces Book for Infants and Toddlers (2003).

In addition to her role as Admissions Coordinator, Dr. Isbell is responsible for teaching the child development, human development and pediatrics coursework.

Research Interests: Fine Motor Development, Sensory Integration with Preschoolers, Play and educating child care employees.

John-Paul Abner, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology and Occupational Therapy

John-Paul Abner graduated with a bachelor's of science degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1987 and graduated from the University of Florida with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Child and Adolescent emphasis) in August of 1996. Following three years of teaching at East Tennessee State University, he joined the faculty of Milligan College in 1999 as an assistant professor in psychology, research coordinator for the occupational therapy graduate program, and Director of Academic Advisement. In addition to his roles at Milligan College , he is currently a licensed psychologist in the state of Tennessee and operates a small private practice conducting psychological assessments and providing psychotherapy for children and adolescents. He also is the Director of Parent Child Interaction Therapy at the ETSU Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody. His areas of interests and expertise include learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, depression, intellectual giftedness, and Parent Child Interaction Therapy with oppositional defiant children and children who have been abused and neglected. He speaks regularly at churches and professional organizations on parenting issues, child abuse, and other child welfare issues. He is an avid volleyball player and enjoys ultimate Frisbee, tennis, basketball, hiking and camping with his wife, Pam, and trying to keep up with hiss seven year old son, John-Phillip, his five year old daughter Brynn, and Matthew (age 2). He has been an active volunteer in youth ministry for almost 20 years. John Paul and Pam currently volunteer with the college ministry at their church.

In the occupational therapy program, Dr. Abner teaches the research curriculum, psychopathology, and Christ and Calling in Health Care.

Dr. Fellers received her A.S. from Walters State Community College . She holds a B.S. with a major in Biological Sciences and a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Milligan College . She received her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences with a concentration in adult neurological dysfunction.  She has worked for 6 years as an acute care OT in a Level I Trauma Center where she specializes in the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with neurological illness or injury as she holds a clinical specialty certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment.  Fellers came to the profession of Occupational Therapy with a background in neuromuscular massage (NMT). She worked as a licensed NMT for 7 years before returning to school for her B.S. and M.S. As an NMT, Christy specialized in the treatment of acute and chronic injuries of the back and neck. She also worked under the supervision of a Psychiatrist assisting patients with biofeedback training for pain management. She maintains her OT clinical expertise by continuing to work on an as needed basis in an acute care setting and in geriatric skilled care units.

Dr. Fellers is responsible for teaching the clinical reasoning, activities of daily living, the physical dysfunction portion of diagnostic considerations, and the adult neurological dysfunction coursework.  Additionally, Christy is the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator responsible for the successful placement and supervision of MSOT students during their fieldwork experiences.

Claire Marr
Occupational Therapy Office Manager and
Admission Representative

Claire currently serves as Office Manager and Admissions Representative for Occupational Therapy. She graduated from Milligan College in 2005 with a B.A. in English. Originally from South Vienna , Ohio , she is a transplant to the southern states but occasionally enjoys a sip of sweet tea. Claire and her husband TJ were recently married and are enjoying the “honeymoon” stage of marriage.

Ron holds a B.S.in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University and a post-professional doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) from the University of St. Augustine . He has 18 years of clinical experience and has served in diverse roles within the profession. As a practicing clinician, Dr. Sheppard's experience is in the area of adult physical neurorehabilitation and pediatrics with neurological disorders. Ron has been instrumental in the development and directing of three different OT outpatient departments over the years, and brings considerable professional experience to his role as adjunct instructor. He is a Board Certified Disability Analyst (Fellow) and holds a certification in NDT (neurodevelopmental treatment) specializing in adult CVA and head injury. Dr. Sheppard maintains active membership status for the AOTA, NDTA, NDTO, ABDA and maintains licensure as an occupational therapist in Tennessee and Virginia . He has facilitated many NDT labs in the local area to both Physical and Occupational Therapy clinicians/students. Ron has been an adjunct instructor in the MSOT Program at Milligan for the past 4 years. He designed and developed the Geriatrics class that he teaches for the second year students.

Jill Smith, MS, OTR/L
Assistant Professor of
Occupational Therapy

Jill has been an occupational therapist for 9 years and holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University .  Prior to teaching at Milligan, she was a private practice therapist working with adults with developmental disabilities. She also worked as a staff occupational therapist at the Greene Valley Developmental Center in Tennessee . Before becoming an occupational therapist, Jill held positions as a counselor, social worker and case manager. She also provides trainings and workshops on creativity and creative thinking.

Jill is responsible for the psychosocial coursework in the Milligan occupational therapy program.

Research and Other Professional Interests: Creativity and Creative Thinking, Community-Based Intervention, Developmental Disabilities, Wellness