As a doctorally trained education specialist, researcher, and practitioner, Dr. Elam currently serves in dual roles as manager of Research and Outreach in the School Intervention Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, and as an adjunct instructor at the University of Cincinnati (UC) in the College of Education.
Dr. Elam earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from UC, including a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education (English/Language Arts), master's degree in Special Education, and doctoral degree in Special Education.
Dr. Elam is deeply impassioned about working with others for greater improvement. This passion, coupled with her expertise in pedagogy, education, and training, ensures that she is well-equipped to be an instrument for change. To date, Dr. Elam has invested much of her career in improving educational outcomes for students with a chronic medical condition. Due to vacancies in legislation relative to addressing the educational needs of these students, much of her work has focused on the examination of policies and legislation and advocacy for improved mandates to advance education in this area. Through this work, she has served in numerous national leadership roles, including holding Vice President, President Elect, and Chairperson roles in professional organizations. In a relatively short period of time, Dr. Elam has become a national expert in her field, making distinct and nationally recognized advances toward transforming the educational landscape for students with a chronic condition through national presentations, publications, the development of teacher training and certification programming, and innovative research.
As a lifelong learner who is committed to advancing her professional know-how, Elam has most recently committed to improving her expertise through the pursuit of MBA coursework through the Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati. Each of these experiences has provided her critical opportunities to serve as an impassioned and effective leader, and to guide others to do the same.
