Latest Chan Division News
Community and Partners
Growing by design ⟩
April 21, 2023
Community and Partners Events Health and Wellness Pandemic Students
When designing the USC Peace Garden, student landscape architect Daniela Velazco prioritized people and planting.
By Mike McNulty USC Peace Garden designer Daniela Velazco MLA+U/MHC ’23 (Photo by Hannah Benet) "A garden is a physical manifestation of people coming together, doing the work and enjoying themselves along the way," says Daniela Velazco MLA+U/MHC ’23. Velazco spent the better part of last summer…
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USC Chan Student Completes Externship at PKUHSC in Beijing, China ⟩
April 3, 2023
Academics and Courses China Initiative Community and Partners International Students
USC Chan Entry-Level Master’s student Tina Peng discusses her externship at Peking University Health Science Center (PKUHSC) in Beijing, China, focused on building leadership skills and learning about local occupational therapy (OT) practice.
Every spring, second-year Entry-Level MA students participate in a student-driven externship assignment designed to build their leadership skills, provide opportunities to learn about non-clinical roles of occupational therapists, and help develop a sense of professional identity. As part of this…
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Chan Bakes for Earthquake Relief ⟩
March 12, 2023
Community and Partners Events Global Initiatives International Students
From March 6-10, more than 50 USC Chan students, staff, and faculty worked together to host a bake sale fundraiser in support of earthquake relief efforts after the February 6 earthquake in Syria and Turkey.
Amber Butler MA ’23, Philanthropy Chair of USC’s Occupational Therapy and Science Council, initially proposed the idea for the bake sale, saying “I was feeling helpless watching the news and seeing all the devastation in Syria and Turkey. I was heartbroken watching families and rescue officers…
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Chan Partners with LA Community Organizations in Blanket Drive ⟩
March 10, 2023
Community and Partners Global Initiatives Students
USC Chan Global Initiatives partnered with the Bless One Foundation to hold a Winter Blanket Drive on behalf of the St. Joseph Center in Long Beach, California.
USC Chan student Maquela Noel OTD ’25 spearheaded the Blanket Drive and shared “Helping individuals in need has always meant something to me because I feel as though everyone deserves equal opportunities. The Drive allowed us to make an impact in the Los Angeles community, which I will cherish…
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USC-PKUHSC Dual-Degree Graduates and Current Students Discuss Transition to OT Careers ⟩
February 10, 2023
Academics and Courses China Initiative Community and Partners International Students
China Initiative team leads an information session between graduates (cohort 1) and current students (cohort 2) of the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree program to support their transition from student to OT practitioner in China upon graduation.
Due to their unique experience in the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree program, the cohort 2 students who will graduate in August 2023 typically seek additional guidance in preparing for their return to China and planning their career trajectory. The hiring process in China follows a strict timeline, in which…
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Significant PKUHSC News and Updates ⟩
February 9, 2023
Academics and Courses China Initiative Community and Partners International
A variety of exciting changes are on the horizon for the Peking University Health Science Center’s educational structure and administration.
Beginning in 2016, when USC Chan formed a partnership with Peking University Health Science Center (PKUHSC) to develop an innovative dual-degree program, the goal has always been to advance occupational therapy (OT) education, practice, and research standards in China. As we approach the third year…
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Four new, early-stage projects selected for internal research funding ⟩
February 3, 2023
Autism Community and Partners Faculty Pandemic Research
Aims of projects include increasing social connections in mental health clubhouses, improving return-to-work, developing trauma-informed framework for minoritized families of autistic girls and better understanding autistic sensory strengths
Three projects have been selected for the upcoming funding cycle of the Responding to Society’s Post-pandemic Occupational Needs (ReSPONs) Initiative, the USC Chan Division’s seed grant mechanism for early-stage projects that address the intersecting pandemics — COVID-19, systemic racial…
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Study highlights barriers, facilitators to telehealth occupational therapy for autistic children during the pandemic ⟩
January 17, 2023
Autism Community and Partners Pandemic Research Technology
Qualitative research explores perspectives of occupational therapists, clinical administrators and caregivers.
By Mike McNulty Telehealth became an essential way for occupational therapists to work with clients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, nearly three years after the March 2020 stay-at-home orders, researchers from USC Chan’s Disparity Reduction and Equity in Autism Services (DREAmS) lab published…
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USC-PKUHSC Dual-Degree OTD Monthly Seminars: Fall 2022 Semester Recap ⟩
December 14, 2022
China Initiative Community and Partners International Students
China Initiative team hosts monthly seminars for the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree students in the OTD program to integrate their mixed-track residency experiences and apply their learning to their future role in China.
Some of the more challenging difficulties students studying abroad have to overcome are related to cultural and language barriers. The USC-PKUHSC dual-degree students are no exception, and these concerns were magnified during the clinical portion of their time at USC. Due to the significant contrast…
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USC OT/PT Summer Institute is diversifying tomorrow’s workforce today ⟩
July 28, 2022
Community and Partners Diversity, Access, Equity Students
How a six-week undergraduate pathway program empowers future occupational, physical therapists from underrepresented minority backgrounds.
By Mike McNulty Xavier University of Louisiana junior Blake Harris (Photo/courtesy of Blake Harris) On most days in season, you can find Blake Harris on the field under the sweltering New Orleans sun or putting in work at the gym. The rising junior is a long jump and triple jump athlete at Xavier…
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