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Vannessa Fung MA ’15

What brought you to occupational therapy?
Coming from a background in psychology, I’m constantly seeking out ways to help others overcome their mental health challenges, for I believe that people’s mental well-being plays a major role in shaping their physical well-being. Occupational therapy offers a holistic approach that addresses both the physical and mental aspects of health, which is something that I greatly value. The provided autonomy and encouraged creativity that occupational therapists enjoy further empowers us to provide the best care possible.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I’m interested in working with older adults with chronic medical conditions. With people living ever longer, helping an aging population stay active and healthy is becoming ever more crucial to healthcare.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Hanging out with friends and family, cooking and baking, playing badminton.

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
My packed lunch, left-overs, desserts, and chocolate.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have one superpower, I would want to be able to read other people’s minds. Such an ability would allow me to understand their thoughts, actions, and emotions. Oftentimes, much of the conflict that arises comes from misunderstandings that arise when verbal communication fails. Being able to understand the workings of others’ minds would allow me to understanding them at a far greater level than otherwise possible.

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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 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.