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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Education
Education

David Saldana MA ’19

David Saldana MA ’19

Hometown: Whittier, CA
Program: Entry-Level Master’s, Class of 2019

What brought you to occupational therapy?
In 2009 my older brother sustained a TBI from a car accident and he had to relearn how to speak, eat, and walk. He went to rehab at Rancho Los Amigos in Downey where I was really inspired by the occupational, speech, and physical therapists as they helped my brother regain his independence.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I am really interested in inpatient adult rehabilitation for a population with neurological conditions. I saw my brother go through this intense and challenging rehab process and I want to help others become more independent just like my brother.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
In the summer we had a Kinesiology course and we had some amazing activities and amazing professors which made this challenging course super fun. It was a blast to learn about OT and Kinesiology at USC.

What do you think is the greatest invention of mankind?
Virtual Reality is pretty awesome. It has some promising potential for adult rehab interventions.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
Probably Sour Strawberry Belts. I ate a lot of those as a child.