The Teague Award is granted to a VA employee, or employees working as a team, whose achievements have been of special benefit to veterans with service-connected problems. The award honors the late Olin E. Teague, U.S. Representative from Texas, an advocate of disabled veterans who served as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs for 18 years.
"Dr. Cooper's research has contributed to veterans living longer with less pain from secondary disabilities. He has streamlined wheelchairs and through his advocacy efforts has improved access to wheelchairs," said Michael E. Moreland, director, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
"This is indeed a high honor that will be bestowed on our colleague," said Clifford Brubaker, Ph.D., dean, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. "Dr. Cooper continues to distinguish himself, the University of Pittsburgh and the VA with his exceptional accomplishments."
Cooper is considered one of the most visible advocates and scholars in the country in the area of rehabilitation of paralyzed individuals who use wheelchairs. His impact on the lives of people with disabilities has been truly significant and is deserving of this award, said Moreland.
The award recognizes Dr. Cooper's major contributions to the treatment and rehabilitation of paralyzed individuals, including: the design of modern manual and electric powered wheelchairs, the development and implementation of wheelchair standards, promotion of the understanding of secondary disabilities among wheelchair users, persistent efforts to improve the availability of high quality products and services for veterans who use wheelchairs and improving community integration.
Dr. Cooper is recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities in wheelchair design and technology. His work has led to an improvement in wheelchair quality, ultimately improving the lives of those who depend on them. He is driven by a passion for assistive technology and uses it to enhance rehabilitation. He was instrumental in creating an entirely new class of wheelchair, and in expanding the use of the electric powered wheelchair.
He helped the Department of Veterans Affairs create guidelines for the prescription of wheelchairs and helped develop revised eligibility for electric-powered wheelchairs to include veterans who do not have the ability to propel a manual wheelchair due to pain, low cardiovascular capacity, or upper extremity injury.
A bronze medal winner in the 1988 Paralympic Games, Dr. Cooper's expertise in wheelchair design has also made it possible for many more to participate in activities such as wheelchair racing and cycling.