Home ⟩Education at USC Chan ⟩Entry-Level Doctorate (OTD) ⟩Meet the Students

Donna Benji Meir MA ’15

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I wanted a job where I could make a great difference in the lives of others while fulfilling my own passions as well. I did not want to sit behind a desk all day, and aimed to find a career where I could put my “people skills” to good use.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
I went through several career changes prior to finding my passion for occupational therapy. Immediately after college, I contemplated going to law school, but I eventually got involved with diplomacy and international relations and held positions both in the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, Israel and then the Consulate General of Israel’s office in Los Angeles. I also worked in the corporate world for three years in a real estate and finance company, and simultaneously started a small business with my husband. However, none of these fields afforded me the opportunity to help others, and ultimately left me feeling unfulfilled. After some quick research, I fell in love with occupational therapists and the work they do!

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I absolutely love cooking and experimenting with new ingredients in the kitchen. I rarely go by recipes, and instead love to create my own concoctions. I like to think of my food as healthy, creative, and delicious!

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
Kale, celery, eggs, Arizona green tea, and the refill-size Heinz ketchup.

What are two truths and a lie about yourself?
I have had the chicken pox twice. I am allergic to grass and therefore cannot sit on it. I can wiggle my ears.

⋯

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 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) is accredited 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.

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.