Our CBIT Team
Co-Director, TS Center of Excellence, COA/UAB Jan Rowe, OTD, OT, OTR/L, FAOTA, earned her doctorate from NOVA Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL., in 2004 and has been working exclusively with Tourette syndrome (TS) and tic disorders patients since 2010. The first occupational therapist to coordinate a comprehensive behavioral intervention program for tic disorders, Dr. Rowe now trains occupational therapists throughout the country to work with children who have Tourette syndrome or tic disorders. In addition, she serves on the Medical Advisory Board for the Tourette Syndrome Association.
Leon S. Dure, MD, Division Director for Pediatric Neurology at Children’s of Alabama, has been on the UAB staff since 1994 and has a strong clinical interest in movement disorders affecting children. The Pediatric Movement Disorders Clinic at Children’s, the first of its kind in the South, addresses a variety of conditions—the most common being tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome. (CBIT is a service of the Pediatric Movement Disorders Clinic.) Dr. Dure served on the Tourette Syndrome Association Medical Advisory Board (1997–2013) and has participated as an investigator in a number of observational and intervention trials in TS.
Co-Director, TS Center of Excellence, COA/UAB Emily Gantz, DO, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Neurology at Children’s of Alabama, she is a board certified child neurologist who completed her residency at Vanderbilt University and her movement disorders fellowship at UAB. She is now a subspecialist in pediatric movement disorders, including tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome.
Deek Cunningham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA: Dr. Cunningham earned his doctorate in Health Education and Health Promotion in the School of Public Health at UAB. His occupational therapy career began in the nursing home field, yet he transitioned to the pediatric arena working in both inpatient settings, psychiatric units, and outpatient settings. Deek later accepted a position in Florida continuing his work with the pediatric population. In 2009, he moved back to South Alabama beginning a new career experience in the field of adult acute care burns, trauma, and home health, while continuing to work with the pediatric population. In 2011, Deek returned to Birmingham and joined the UAB Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health Professions. He is the Director of Clinical Education.
Dr. Cunningham has been offering CBIT services since his certification in 2012. He began working with Dr. Jan Rowe in the established CBIT for pediatrics, and then moved into providing CBIT services for adults.
Tres Helton, Office Assistant, is the first person you will meet when arriving at the CBIT clinic at Children’s. Tres is extremely knowledgeable about insurance payments for CBIT and can assist you with needed information to discuss with your insurance company prior to the evaluation. She can also assist with establishing private pay status if that is needed. She can be reached at the above ‘clinic’ number.
Harrison Walker, MD, Associate Professor/ UAB, Medical Director of Deep Brain Stimulation
Tourette Syndrome Center of Excellence (COfE) – Children’s of Alabama and University of Alabama at Birmingham (COA/UAB)
Since 2019, the TAA CofE at COA/UAB began offering an Adult CBIT Program and together our center is able to provide services to individuals with TS and other tics disorders of all ages. The children (age 4 to 21) are seen at the Children’s of Alabama while adults (21+) are seen at the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Occupational Therapy.
The Adult CBIT program is coordinated by Deek Cunningham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA.. For more information or to make a referral, please send an email to the AdultCBIT@uab.edu or call 205-934-8958.
CBIT Clinic
205-638-6820
