Marilyn Soliven Martinez OTD ’28

What area(s) of practice are you interested in?

I’m interested in geriatrics and adult rehab!

What are your future plans in occupational therapy, either at USC or in your career?

I grew up playing basketball, and sports have always shaped how I see myself, even now that I’m not an athlete. That’s why I’m passionate about sports OT; I want to help athletes reconnect with themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. I hope to build a pathway in this area and work in a holistic environment that empowers people to return to what gives their lives meaning.

What are “green flags” (i.e., pleasant attributes) and “red flags” (i.e., unpleasant attributes) that you notice about other people?

Green flags I notice in other people:
- People who listen without interrupting; like actually letting you finish a sentence without planning their next monologue.
- When someone remembers little details you mentioned weeks ago. Elite behavior.

Red flag I notice in other people:
- People who constantly need all the attention on themselves. Not just the obvious bragging, but the subtle “let me bring this back to me” in every conversation. Like… we get it.

If you could watch a 5-minute video of any event in human history, what would it be, and why?

I’m a total history buff, and one of my favorite topics is ancient Egypt. I’d love to witness the moment Cleopatra supposedly rolled herself up in a carpet to meet Julius Caesar. Like… did she practice? Was there a dramatic reveal? What did they even talk about after she popped out? Honestly, iconic behavior. Get it, queen!

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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 doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) 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 master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is in Accreditation–Inactive 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.

Professional program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the 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.