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Vicky Alvarez MA ’16

What brought you to occupational therapy?
After suffering an injury in college, I had to do physical therapy for a few weeks. My sessions took place in a therapy gym, shared with other clients. On my first session, I remember being intrigued by what the therapist and client near me were doing in the kitchen area. I asked my PT about it and she said, “She’s an OT, and she’s helping the client cook.” My immediate thought was, “Cooking in therapy?! That’s awesome!” I started doing more research on OT, and it didn’t take long for me to know it was the profession for me.

What area of practice are you interested in?
Pediatrics and Adult Rehab.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Dance is my preferred occupation. When I can, I like to take modern/contemporary and ballet classes in different studios in LA. It is such a great work out and it just makes me feel great mentally, physically, and emotionally. I also enjoy hiking, yoga, traveling, and trying out new food places.

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
Milk, Greek yogurt, almond butter, eggs, fruit, Trader Joe’s salads, and left over meals.

What do you think is the greatest invention of mankind?
The airplane; it makes visiting far-away loved ones and exploring the world so much easier.

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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.