Latest Chan Division News

Start of Level II Fieldwork for the 1st Cohort of PKUHSC Students ⟩
January 18, 2021

Academics and Courses China Initiative Community and Partners International

The inaugural cohort begins their first 8-week Level II fieldwork rotation to prepare them for entry-level competence as future OT practitioners.

The start of the new year signaled another “first” for the inaugural cohort of master’s occupational therapy students at the Peking University Health Science Center (PKUHSC). Having finished their master’s level academic coursework last semester, the inaugural cohort officially started their…

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OTD Alumni Talk About Finding Their First OT Jobs ⟩
January 8, 2021

Academics and Courses Alumni Clinical Pandemic Students

As many of our Master’s students have already applied to the OTD Program and some continue to consider their options for next year, five recent alumni from our OTD Program — Ana Sanchez, Elissa Taylor, Nicole Wright, Ozan Yay, and Patrice Zhao — discuss their experiences searching and applying for jobs under unprecedented circumstances with our OTD Student Ambassador Daniel Padilla Vega.

Where did you complete your OTD Residency? Ana: I completed my residency at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), which is a community college. Elissa: LAC+USC Medical Center’s Adult West Primary Care clinic (supported by the USC LRCC research lab). Nicole Wright OTD, OTR/L, CIMI Nicole: I completed…

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Three faculty members on ballot in 2021 AOTA elections ⟩
January 6, 2021

Associations and Bodies Faculty

Meet the Trojans looking to make a nationwide difference for the good of the profession.

Editor's update: According to election results released in late Jan., Anvarizadeh and Halle won election for their respective positions. Congratulations, and Fight On! USC Chan faculty members Arameh Anvarizadeh, Sarah Bream and Ashley Halle are each running for volunteer leadership positions in the…

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USC applying for 2022 move to accredited entry-level OTD ⟩
December 9, 2020

Academics and Courses Associations and Bodies

USC's post-professional OTD graduates have traditionally worn cardinal colored gowns at Commencement. (Photo by Amber Morgan) The USC Chan Division has formally initiated the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® process to transition its current accredited entry-level…

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Celebrating unsung heroes during National Family Caregivers Month ⟩
November 25, 2020

Clinical Faculty Health and Wellness

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a nationwide observance that recognizes those who dedicate their time and effort towards caring for family members in need. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of family caregivers and praise their strength and support. Within occupational therapy, including the family in treatment provides a wealth of benefits, and families can also act as a catalyst for further healing and engagement.

Six members of the USC Chan Division — faculty members Allison Chu, Celso Delgado, Janet Gunter, Stacey Schepens Niemiec, and students Delaney Smith MA ’21 and Adam Strizich MA ’21 — discuss the importance of including families in occupational therapy.

By Calvin Lee MA ’21 Allison Chu OTD, OTR/L Chu: It’s often been said that when you get married, you’re not just marrying that person but you’re marrying their family as well. Similarly with OT, when you’re working with a client, you’re not just working with the client but you’re also…

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How to cope with a complicated winter amid COVID-19 ⟩
November 17, 2020

Chan in the Media Faculty Health and Wellness Pandemic

Days are getting shorter, the pandemic continues and the holidays may be more isolating than ever. USC experts offer advice on how to make the best of it.

By Gary Polakovic and David Medzerian / USC Today Months of being in isolation can take a toll on your psyche, especially during the holiday season. (Illustration/iStock) "Winter is coming, and it will be challenging," said Ashley Uyeshiro Simon, an associate professor of clinical occupational…

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Baranek receives alumni award from University of Illinois at Chicago ⟩
November 12, 2020

Awards Faculty

Associate Dean and Chair Grace Baranek, the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Applied Health Sciences. Associate Dean and Chair Grace Baranek was named the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award…

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Four alums earn 2021 induction to AOTA Roster of Fellows ⟩
November 2, 2020

Alumni Associations and Bodies Awards Faculty

Four USC alumnae, including current faculty member Arameh Anvarizadeh, to join AOTA Roster of Fellows in 2021.

Four USC alumnae, including one current faculty member, have been named 2021 inductees to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Roster of Fellows. The Roster of Fellows recognizes occupational therapists who have, through their knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy and guidance,…

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BFA students add minors alongside dance training ⟩
September 29, 2020

Academics and Courses Chan in the Media Students

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is a dance conservatory in a university setting. Students in the [Bachelor of Fine Arts] program take a myriad of dance classes along with school-wide general education requirements. This allows BFA students to explore subjects outside of dance, as well as add minors to complement their dance training.

By Brigid Murphy / USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Bella Allen and India Dobbie (BFA ’22) perform "Ancient Chaos" by Bella Allen. (Photo by Mary Mallaney) Bella Allen (BFA ’22) took advantage of the abundant academic offerings at USC and chose to pursue a minor in Occupational Science within…

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Healthier aging through sharing life stories ⟩
September 28, 2020

Academics and Courses Faculty Pandemic Students

September is Healthy Aging Month, a national observance to draw attention to the lifestyle choices and behaviors that can promote healthy aging for older Americans. In her course, “OT 538: Adulthood and Aging,” Associate Professor of Research Stacey Schepens Niemiec assigns students a project using the power of personal stories to highlight occupations that contribute to meaningful older life experiences. To learn more, Student Ambassador Lamoni Lucas MA ’21 asked Schepens Niemiec to explain the inspiration and purpose of the “Life Story” project, and four OT 538 students to reflect on the project and its mementos.

Schepens Niemiec: Life storytelling — sharing one’s personal life experiences and stories with others — is a meaningful, culturally rich, shared occupation that can be powerfully health-promoting. Life storytelling can help people make sense of their lives, become more aware of the scripts…

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