National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability
The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD, pronounced "Nic-Pad') is a research center and public health practice which promotes health for persons with disabilities. It was founded by Jim Rimmer in 1999 at the University of Illinois at Chicago as the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD).
Rimmer and the center were invited to relocate to Birmingham in 2012. Rimmer was made the inaugural Lakeshore Foundation Endowed Chair in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Sciences at the UAB School of Health Professions. NCHPAD operates as part of the UAB Lakeshore Research Collaborative, and shares offices with the Lakeshore Foundation at 4000 Ridgeway Drive in Homewood.
Since its founding the center has been funded by grants from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2021 the CDC awarded NCHPAD a five-year $25 million grant to expand its enrollment and training programs.
References
- Rimmer, Jim (n.d.) "NCHPAD with an “H” for Health and a New Home!" NCHPAD.org
- Patchen, Tyler (October 18, 2021) "National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability receives $25M grant." Birmingham Business Journal