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Delila Newman MA ’15

Hometown: I grew up mostly in Boise, ID, but have lived in 10 different states (Texas, Maryland, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Hawaii). I most recently moved to California from Maui almost 3 years ago.

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I grew up as a competitive athlete (gymnastics, snowboarding, track and field) and have always been intrigued by how the human body works. I started college at the University of Colorado in 1998 as a fine arts major (ceramics), but after a year and a half, I wasn’t sure of that path. I took some time off to live in ski resort towns & travel to New Zealand and Australia. While abroad, I realized that I I should further my education. From the time I was a child, I enjoyed giving massages, so I choose to enroll in massage therapy school. It was there that I fell in love with kinesiology.  After several years of being a massage therapist, I returned to school (CalPoly SLO) with an intention to get my Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and my doctorate in physical therapy. After a year, I realized that being a PT didn’t exactly fit me. While I was working as a PT aide, I met an OT who came to the clinic a couple times a week. As she explained her job, I felt an immediate connection. I left CalPoly and continued my career as a massage therapist until 3 years ago when I enrolled at CalState Northridge, finished my Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology & was accepted to USC!

What area of practice are you interested in?
As of now, I’m interested in working at a rehabilitation hospital for physical disabilities on one of the Hawaiian Islands. I want to incorporate aquatic therapy into my treatments when possible.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I run and surf. I’m crafty and make birthday, Christmas and Valentine’s Day cards for my friends and family. I enjoy pushing myself physically and going after an adrenaline rush. I’ve been skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, white water rafting, cliff jumping, scuba diving and I completed P90X as well as running the Maui Marathon. I want to try CrossFit next and then sign up for the Tough Mudder.

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
I pretty much always have juice, vegetables, 12 grain bread, coconut milk, peanut or almond butter, chocolate & cheese.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower it would be the ability to help others get over emotional trauma. I would be able to go do the depths of their pain and assist them in overcoming the hurt, loss and grief. I would be able to magically make their trauma dissolve, so they could go on to lead happy, healthy and amazing lives! That’s why I love OT, because I can accomplish at least a fraction of that superpower. 😊

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USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®).

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.