Latest Chan Division News

Neil Harvison, AOTA’s chief of knowledge, to address Class of 2021 ⟩
April 29, 2021

Associations and Bodies Events Lectures and Talks Students

Strategic executive at the national professional association will highlight USC Chan’s May 13 online celebration.

Neil Harvison, Chief of Knowledge at the American Occupational Therapy Association Neil Harvison, chief of knowledge at the American Occupational Therapy Association, has been named the keynote speaker for the USC Chan Division’s 2021 virtual commencement celebration. Harvison manages knowledge…

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USC Chan commits $2.5M to post-pandemic response ⟩
April 26, 2021

Academics and Courses Associations and Bodies Community and Partners Diversity, Access, Equity Pandemic Research

Three-year initiative to fast-track projects addressing occupational needs and health of individuals, families and communities.

By Mike McNulty ReSPONs conceptual schematic The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy has launched a $2.5 million initiative comprising a variety of projects aimed at the coronavirus, economic and racial pandemics, the combined effects of which are sure to be felt for…

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New project aims to increase trust for future autism research ⟩
April 2, 2021

Autism Awards Community and Partners Diversity, Access, Equity Faculty Health and Wellness Research

Two-year project will build formal alliances that accentuate perspectives of autistic people, their family members and caregivers, service providers and researchers.

By Mike McNulty For too long, too few autistic people have had a say in how autism research is designed, developed and disseminated, and researchers have not tapped into the expertise that only autistic people and their families have. A new USC-coordinated project looks to upend that disparity by…

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Finding Global Community and Connection in 2021 ⟩
February 23, 2021

Global Initiatives International Pandemic Students

As we say goodbye to a tumultuous year, all of us at Global Initiatives wish to send our warmest greetings of friendship to all of you, whether you are reading this blog locally in Los Angeles or around the world.

By Daniel Park, OTD, OTR/L Director of Global Initiatives and Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy As we hope that 2021 brings healing to our lives, we know that now more than ever, coming together as a global community is all the more important. Here in the United States, the…

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USC faculty win 2021 AOTF honors ⟩
February 8, 2021

Associations and Bodies Awards Conferences Faculty

Three USC Chan faculty members have been honored with annual awards from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Shawn Roll PhD Program Director and Associate Professor Shawn Roll was named to the AOTF Academy of Research in Occupational Therapy. Inclusion in the academy recognizes exemplary,…

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Support children’s mental health by embracing failure ⟩
February 7, 2021

Clinical Health and Wellness

This year’s Children’s Mental Health Week is February 1-7. The week focuses on the importance of children and young individuals’ mental health. Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy Dr. Shelby Surfas is a specialist in the area of pediatric mental health, and currently serves as the Director of Occupational Therapy at the USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) based at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. There, she has primarily addressed a nationally prevalent gap in occupational therapy services for children with mental health needs, while providing awareness and education, along with direct and consultative services, which have grown more than 500 percent since she became director. Dr. Surfas (interviewed by Student Ambassador Lamoni Lucas ’21) talks about pediatric mental health, the importance of children experiencing failure, and the crucial tips to support young individuals’ mental health.

In occupational therapy, we encourage our students, our families and ourselves to be authentic, take risks and fully experience life. Treatment goals in pediatric intervention highlight the success of occupational engagement and participation. These may include learning to ride a bicycle, performing…

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Pyatak named to NIH study section ⟩
February 1, 2021

Associations and Bodies Faculty Lifestyle Redesign Research

Associate Professor Beth Pyatak has been invited to serve as a member of the Biobehavioral Medicine and Health Outcomes Study Section of the NIH Center for Scientific Review. Her four-year term begins July 1, 2021.

Associate Professor Beth Pyatak Dr. Pyatak’s scholarship focuses on translational research in Lifestyle Redesign®, an occupational therapy intervention framework that promotes awareness of the relationship between daily activities and health, and guides individuals with chronic conditions…

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Faculty winners in AOTA elections ⟩
January 29, 2021

Alumni Associations and Bodies Faculty

USC Chan faculty members and alums Arameh Anvarizadeh ’05, MA ’06, OTD ’07 and Ashley Halle ’08, MA ’11, OTD ’12 will soon be contributing their talents to the national occupational therapy professional association, as each won their respective races for volunteer leadership positions,…

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New study shows children with autism have less activity in brain region that observes, simulates movements ⟩
January 28, 2021

Autism Faculty Research Students

Team of USC and UCLA researchers first to pinpoint reduced frontal lobe activity, helping explain some social characteristics unique to autism.

By Mike McNulty A brain region responsible for processing visual observations of others’ movements then mapping those movements upon one’s own body schema is significantly less activated in children with autism spectrum disorder, compared to typically-developing children and to children with…

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Pineda named double recipient of inaugural NBCOT awards ⟩
January 27, 2021

Alumni Associations and Bodies Awards Clinical Faculty

New award highlights the work of outstanding, certified occupational therapy practitioners.

Assistant Professor Bobbi Pineda The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy has named Assistant Professor Bobbi Pineda a recipient of both an Innovation Award and an Impact Award, two new honors designed to highlight outstanding, certified occupational therapy practitioners across…

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