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Kathy Zebracki

Kathy Zebracki Jefson, PHD, MA

Specialties
  • Psychology

Kathy Zebracki, Ph.D., is chief of psychology at Shriners Children’s Chicago. She is also adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and a clinical professor of psychology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

Zebracki received her bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Case Western Reserve University. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and of the American Spinal Injury Association. Zebracki is an active clinician, researcher and educator. Her clinical interests are in the care of youth with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions. Her research is in the area of psychosocial and medical outcomes of youth with spinal cord dysfunctions, including spinal cord injury and spina bifida. She also serves as a clinical and research mentor for clinical psychology doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows.

She has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, 15 book chapters, and 160 presentations at national and international meetings. Zebracki is a co-editor of the textbooks Spinal Cord Injury in the Child and Young Adult and Paediatric Neuropsychology within the Multidisciplinary Context.

Pediatric Care

More About Me

Education and Training

Graduate School
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
United States of America
1/17/2003

Internship
Children's Memorial Hospital
Chicago, IL
6/30/2006

Graduate School
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
United States of America
8/11/2006

Fellowship
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
6/30/2008

Academic Positions and Locations

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Adjunct Professor

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Clinical Professor

Leadership and Memberships
  • 2023-Present: Co-Chair, Paediatric Special Interest Group, International Spinal Cord Society
  • 2017-Present: Board of Directors, Steel Assembly Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury and Dysfunction
  • 2016-2022: Board of Directors, American Spinal Injury Association
  • 2015-2018: Board of Directors, American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine
  • 2014-2016: Chair, Pediatrics Committee, American Spinal Injury Association
  • 2011-Present: Chair, Professional Advisory Council, Illinois Spina Bifida Association
Editorial Positions
  • 2016-Present: Editor-in-Chief, Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
  • 2015-Present: Associate Editor, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
  • 2011-2020: Editorial Board, Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
  • 2012-2016: Editorial Board, Journal of Pediatric Psychology
Awards and Honors
  • 2023: Elected as Fellow, American Spinal Injury Association
  • 2022: Distinguished Service Award, American Spinal Injury Association
  • 2021: Elected as Fellow, American Psychological Association, Division 22 Rehabilitation Psychology
  • 2020: Elected as Fellow, American Psychological Association. Division 54 Pediatric Psychology
Academic Works and Presentations
  • Instructional Course: International Spinal Cord Society Annual Scientific Meeting; Understanding the life-long complications to improve biopsychosocial function and quality of life (10/2023)
  • Invited Lecture: Higgy-Con Annual Higgy Bears Convention; Psychological Needs in Youth with Scoliosis (07/2023)
  • Grand Rounds: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine; Transition to adult care in pediatric spinal cord injury (10/2022)
  • Instructional Course: XIII Congreso Internacional, XXII Congreso Nacional Peruano, Medicina Fisica y Rehabilitacion; Key elements and challenges in transition from pediatric to adult spinal cord injury care (08/2022)
  • Pre-course: Scientific Meeting of the American Spinal Injury Association; Unique needs of children and adolescents with SCI (05/2022)
  • Instructional Course: American Spinal Injury Association Annual Meeting; Management of spinal cord injuries in youth and adolescents (04/2019)

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