Latest Chan Division News
Community and Partners

Ten Years of Occupational Therapy in Africa ⟩
April 22, 2015

Chan in the Media Community and Partners Diversity, Access, Equity International Students

More than 200 USC students have taken advantage of an ‘amazing journey’ that led to Ghana

By Jamie Wetherbe/USC News Bonnie Nakasuji ’74, MA ’94, OTD ’08 first went to Ghana in 2003 with a simple mission. She wanted to match patients with wheelchairs. Two years later — thanks to her passion for occupational therapy and a good deal on airfare — Nakasuji returned to Ghana with 10…

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Video game developed at USC lets patients play their way through rehab ⟩
April 20, 2015

Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty Health and Wellness Research Technology

Mystic Isle tracks the coordinates of players’ movements, giving therapists valuable data on progress and future sessions

By Tanya Abrams/USC News Video games for health are not just for fitness gamers who’d rather stumble through Zumba alone than with a judgy gym rat. Clinicians and game developers at USC are teaming up to advance and validate video games for rehabilitation, a segment in the games-for-health…

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The Help Group and USC form a new partnership ⟩
March 6, 2015

Autism Community and Partners Faculty Research

By Mike McNulty The Help Group is pleased to announce an innovative partnership between The Help Group and the University of Southern California (USC) Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. The Help Group – USC Occupational Science Initiative is dedicated to developing…

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Life redesigned (USC Trojan Family Magazine) ⟩
December 12, 2014

Autism Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty Health and Wellness Lifestyle Redesign

The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy helps people live life to its fullest, no matter what challenges they face

By Jessica Raymond/USC Trojan Family Magazine USC has been putting occupational therapy on the international map for decades by building the science behind occupational therapists’ work with patients. And with a recent gift from USC Trustee Ronnie C. Chan MBA ’76 and his family, USC cemented its…

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Self-care among Latinos with diabetes studied ⟩
September 11, 2014

Awards Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty Health and Wellness Research

Elizabeth Pyatak seeks ways to make health an everyday habit for teens and young adults

By Paul Karon/USC News USC occupational scientist and occupational therapist Elizabeth Pyatak helps young people with diabetes adopt the self-care habits and protocols recommended by their physicians. In a vote of confidence, the National Institutes of Health has given the assistant professor a…

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Occupational therapy student named 2014-15 Albert Schweitzer fellow ⟩
June 20, 2014

Awards Clinical Community and Partners Health and Wellness Students

By Mike McNulty Alyssa Concha MA ’14 Master's student Alyssa Concha MA ’14 has been named one of 15 Los Angeles-area recipients of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship. In partnership with Esperanza Community Housing Corporation, Concha will be designing and implementing training resources to…

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Two faculty members earn year-end nods ⟩
May 8, 2014

Awards Community and Partners Faculty

By Mike McNulty IPGC wins Extraordinary Engagement Award Two division faculty members received year-end awards from university organizations in recognition of their dedication to serving students and the community. Assistant clinical professor Ashley Halle (pictured second from left) received an…

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JEP and occupational therapy — New mini courses ⟩
May 8, 2014

Academics and Courses Chan in the Media Community and Partners Health and Wellness Students

JEP pilots its first semester introducing OT mini courses with great response from students

By Madison Aguirre MA ’14/USC JEP Newsletter April marks the start of OT Awareness Month. But, what is OT? As a second-year master's student in USC's Division of Occupational Science (OS) and Occupational Therapy (OT), I am quite familiar with this question. According to USC's Division of OS and…

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OT Practice magazine highlights division’s efforts in primary care ⟩
April 28, 2014

Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty

Occupational therapists are breaking new ground in working with other medical professionals within a key emerging health care model — primary care

By Andrew Waite/OT Practice As Michelle Farmer OTD, OTR/L, described the patient who was 12 weeks pregnant, extremely disorganized, anxious, depressed, and hallucinating, Brian Prestwich, MD, wanted to offer his perspective. “So what do I see as a physician?” asked Prestwich, the then medical…

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Dental visits can be daunting for autistic children ⟩
April 25, 2014

Autism Chan in the Media Clinical Community and Partners Faculty Research

Sharon Cermak wants to make the experience more kid-friendly

By Rob Russow MA ’14/USC Today Professor Sharon Cermak Do you dread going to the dentist? You may have good reasons: With its whirring drills, bright operatory lights and strong scents, the dental office experience can overwhelm even the most stoic patient. But for children with autism — many of…

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