Latest Chan Division News

Edwards named division’s 2024 commencement speaker ⟩
April 4, 2024

Alumnus is the executive director of rehabilitation and professional services at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and current president of the Occupational Therapy Association of California.

The USC Chan Division is pleased to announce Bryant Edwards MA ’05, OTD ’06, OTR/L, BCP, MPH, FAOTA will be the keynote speaker at its satellite commencement ceremony in May. Edwards is the executive director of rehabilitation and professional services at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. He…

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Jordan named next AOTA Executive Director ⟩
March 15, 2024

Alumni Associations and Bodies Faculty

Regulatory, policy and compliance expert to lead the national occupational therapy professional association.

Associate Chair of Occupational Therapy Clinical Services Katie Jordan Katie Jordan, associate chair of occupational therapy clinical services, has been selected as the next executive director of the American Occupational Therapy Association, effective August 7, 2024, according to an announcement…

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Trojans win their 2024 AOTA elections races ⟩
February 26, 2024

Alumni Associations and Bodies Faculty

Anvarizadeh, Bream and Edwards will assume nationwide volunteer leadership positions on July 1.

By Mike McNulty USC Chan faculty members and alums Arameh Anvarizadeh ’05, MA ’06, OTD ’07 and Sarah Bream MA ’96, OTD ’09, and alumnus Bryant Edwards MA ’05, OTD ’06, have each won their races for volunteer leadership positions in the American Occupational Therapy Association,…

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Three Trojans on the ballot in AOTA’s 2024 elections ⟩
January 29, 2024

Alumni Associations and Bodies Faculty

Meet the faculty and alums running for elected leadership positions in the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Editor's Feb. 26 update: Anvarizadeh, Bream and Edwards have each won their races for volunteer leadership positions in the American Occupational Therapy Association, according to election results released today. They will assume their respective roles beginning July 1. Congratulations, and Fight…

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AI could help in the early diagnosis of autism, USC study finds ⟩
December 20, 2023

Artificial Intelligence Autism Faculty Research Technology

Results indicate an “easy and novel” way to detect autism spectrum disorders, paving the way for tailored therapeutic approaches.

By Leigh Hopper Artificial intelligence, coupled with data from an iPad coloring game, could assist in early diagnosis of autism, a new USC study shows. “These results indicate potential for an easy and novel method for early detection of autism and development coordination disorder,” said…

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Abbey Marterella PhD ’10, 50 ⟩
December 13, 2023

Alumni

Remembering Occupational Science PhD alumna and former USC Chan faculty member.

Abbey Marterella PhD ’10, alumna and former USC Chan faculty member, passed away on Sept. 6. Marterella earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in occupational therapy at Eastern Michigan University. She was an occupational therapist for nearly 25 years, with experience in…

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USC-PKUHSC Dual-Degree OTD Monthly Seminars: Fall 2023 Semester Recap ⟩
December 11, 2023

China Initiative Community and Partners International Students

The third cohort from Peking University Health Science Campus (PKUHSC) kicked off their first semester at USC Chan with the fall series of monthly seminars hosted by the China Initiative team to facilitate the application of their experiences in the United States to different contexts in China.

The China Initiative team hosted the fall series of monthly seminars for the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree cohort 3 students with a unique focus on connecting their learning journey in the United States to their future practice in China. The purpose of these seminars was to support their mixed-track OTD…

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Holistic approach to educational program admissions increases future workforce diversity ⟩
December 7, 2023

Academics and Courses Diversity, Access, Equity Students

Implementation and outcomes of USC Chan’s holistic admission practices explained in new American Journal of Occupational Therapy editorial.

By Mike McNulty USC Chan's holistic admissions model. (Copyright 2023, USC Chan) An editorial published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy details the USC Chan Division’s approach to holistic admissions, the gold-standard processes for reviewing and admitting professional program…

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Q&A with the author of the Model of Occupational Harmony, Dr Yijun Liu ⟩
November 11, 2023

China Initiative Health and Wellness International

Dr. Yijun Liu, author of the Model of Occupational Harmony (MOHar), shared her perspectives on the development and future of MOHar in an interview with the China Initiative.

The China Initiative invited Dr. Yijun Liu, author of the Model of Occupational Harmony (MOHar) and an instructor in the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree program, to share her vision for the development of MOHar and its application in the field of occupational science (OS) globally. The MOHar is a conceptual…

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The First China Initiative Community Reunion ⟩
October 13, 2023

China Initiative Community and Partners International Students

The China Initiative team hosted the first virtual reunion with the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree students and graduates, as well as previous China Initiative OTD residents, celebrating a growing community of professionals advancing OT in China.

Last week, the USC China Initiative celebrated a heartwarming reunion, bringing together students, educators, and professionals in a special virtual gathering. Hosted by the China Initiative team, the event demonstrated the strong and supportive community that has grown out of the unique partnership…

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