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Deena Alhusseini MA ’20

What brought you to occupational therapy?
My passion for helping others started since I was little, being the eldest daughter and granddaughter in both sides of the family gave me the responsibility of taking care of my siblings, cousins and the elderly. My passion grew into a profession when I came upon a YouTube video of an occupational therapist teaching a father how to dress himself after a stroke, at that moment I knew where my future lies.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I am interested in working with pediatrics. I found passion in Sensory integration, mental health, school based and early intervention.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
My favorite occupations include swimming, going on hikes, leisure reading, going to theme-parks, watching movies and playing with pets.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
In general, the diversity and learning about different cultures is what makes the division very special and unique. I enjoy grabbing lunch with my friends and talking about stories and experiences that made us who we are.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I would love to travel to Alaska to see the northern lights. Also, visiting New Zealand is on my bucket list, the nature there is breathtaking.

If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
I would hope that it’s something science related, like discovering a cure to a disease. But most probably I’ll fall down and embarrass myself on YouTube.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
My sister got me a picture frame before I travelled to California and it says: “Chase your dreams but always know the road that will lead you home again.”

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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.