Skip to main content

Donna L. Gregory, PhD, MBA, CTRS

Search for Additional Doctors

Department

Select the department from the list

Specialties

Select the Doctor's Specialty

Return to Search
dgregory.jpg

Donna L. Gregory, PhD, MBA, CTRS

Chief, Recreation Therapy Section

Rehabilitation Medicine
gregorydo@cc.nih.gov
301-496-2278

Dr. Donna L. Gregory is the Chief of the Recreational Therapy Section in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at the NIH Clinical Center

BS, University of Maryland
MBA, Penn State University
PhD, Clemson University

Dr. Gregory holds a PhD in Recreational Therapy from Clemson University, an MBA from Penn State University, and a BS from the University of Maryland. Prior to joining the NIH Clinical Center in 2007, Dr. Gregory was the Director of the Outpatient Rehabilitation Medicine Department at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital in Pennsylvania. She managed outpatient clinical services, including daily operations, clinical care, financial performance, program development, and quality process improvement.

At the Clinical Center, Dr. Gregory leads a team advancing the field of Recreation Therapy through collaborative clinical care and research for patients enrolled in a variety of behavioral health and medical research studies. She specializes in the use of meaningful activities to facilitate functional improvement, social connection, community engagement, and enhanced well-being. Dr. Gregory's areas of interest include interventions and research addressing the physical and psychosocial health of at risk populations, family centered care, inter-professional collaboration, data-driven quality improvement, and strategic planning.

Dr. Gregory's research has focused on functional outcomes associated with community re-integration and Recreational Therapy interventions for individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. She has also examined the influence of an intentionally designed peer support camp on the emotional health and well-being of siblings of children with cancer.

  • Association of Camp Nursing Research Award, 2022
  • NIH Clinical Center Directors Award – Making an Impact, 2021
  • NIH Clinical Center Directors Award – Quality of Work Life and Well Being, 2021
  • National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification - Excellence in Leadership and Distinguished Service, 2020
  • Clemson University - Brett A. Wright Award for Graduate Student Achievement, 2020
  • American Therapeutic Recreation Association - Best Research to Practice Poster, 2018
  • NIH Clinical Center Directors Award - Education and Training, 2015
  • NIH Clinical Center Director's Award – Science, 2014
  • NIH Clinical Center Director's Award – Strategic Initiatives, 2009

Chapters

Long, D, Gregory, D, Porter, H. “Traumatic Brain Injury” in: Porter H, Blaschko T (EDs.) Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses and Conditions (Idyll Arbor Inc., 2015): 407 – 416.

Journal Articles

Gregory, D., Van Puymbroeck, M., Crowe, B.M., Garst, B., & Amylon, M. (2022). The lived experience of siblings of children with cancer who attended a peer support camp in the United States. Qualitative Health Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323221095478

Gregory, D., Van Puybroeck, M., Crowe, B., Garst, B., Amylon, M., (2021). The Influence of a Peer Support Camp on Mitigating Emotional Distress in Siblings of Children With Cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1177/10434542211041929

Gregory, D., Hawkins, B., Chan, L., (2018) Functional Independence Six Months to Five Years after Traumatic Brain Injury: Opportunities for Recreational Therapy. American Journal of Therapeutic Recreation.