In November, Karen Hammar, MHA, MOT, OTR/L, FACHE, was named Director of the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), home base for Iowa’s UCEDD and LEND program, the Hawk-IDDRC, and the Alfred Healy Clinic, where Iowans with disabilities receive a variety of clinical services. Hammar had served as CDD’s interim director since the beginning of 2024, while she continued to manage clinical operations. Throughout 2024, she led CDD through an eventful year, with a focus on unifying leadership and staff. Last summer, she brought together current and former staff in CDD’s courtyard to celebrate more than seven decades of providing care, supports and services to Iowans with disabilities and their families.
Hammar first started at the University of Iowa as a staff Occupational Therapist in 2012 before moving into the Rehabilitation Therapies Manager role at CDD. She added clinical operations to her managerial responsibilities before being promoted to Assistant Administrator of CDD.
When he announced her appointment to the director role at CDD, Jim Leste, Chief Administrative Officer of UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, noted Hammar’s ongoing efforts to develop and foster several clinical programs at CDD, including an expanded Transition to Adult Care Clinic, OT/ SP Hippotherapy, QB Testing, Psychotherapy, the Early Motor Assessment Clinic, and PEERS for Adolescents Certified Training.
“I have appreciated her strategic mindset centered upon improving access for patients and families with disabilities, while working to efficiently manage operations,” said Leste. “Her clinical and academic background, paired with her leadership style and understanding of CDD operations and the impact on people, uniquely positions her for this role.”
Hammar is also an adjunct assistant professor in the UI College of Public Health, and serves as MHA core faculty for Iowa’s LEND program. She mentors students through hands-on experiences at the State Capitol, the Harkin Institute, and the Iowa Hospital Association. Hammar earned an executive master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Iowa. She holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in occupational therapy from St. Ambrose University.
As 2025 opens, Hammar and the CDD leadership team are rolling out a new—and evolving—strategic plan to build on recent accomplishments.
Read about some of them in the 2024 CDD Annual Report:
https://e.issuu.com/embed.html?d=cdd_annual_report_24&u=uihealthcare
Direct any questions about CDD to Meredith Field at [email protected].
