Latest Chan Division News
Health and Wellness

A game like no other: Healing Spaces targets Alzheimer’s, dementia patients ⟩
August 23, 2018

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

The game — USC alum Gabriela Gomes’ MFA thesis project — is a multisensory experience created to help adults suffering from neurodegenerative diseases to relax and connect with their caregiver.

By Joanna Clay / USC News Multisensory video game Healing Spaces offers an immersive experience to help adults suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. (Screencap courtesy of Healing Spaces/Gabriela Gomes) Stein Duker pointed out that Healing Spaces is also unique in that it curates a whole…

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Earth Day Q&A with Camille Dieterle ⟩
April 20, 2018

Academics and Courses Faculty Health and Wellness Lifestyle Redesign

In recognition of Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, Camille Dieterle — an assistant clinical professor at USC Chan and passionate advocate for all things environmentally friendly and sustainable — spoke with our Student Ambassador Erika about occupational therapy, the environment and healthier lifestyles.

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok/Pexels In your own words, can you explain the intersection where environment, occupation and health meet? The state of our environment has become a human health issue, now and increasingly into the future. In addition to changes in technology and policy, many scientists…

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Sane in the city: 5 tips to manage the pressures of life in the urban jungle ⟩
April 13, 2018

Chan in the Media Faculty Health and Wellness

Like every major metropolis, L.A. can be a noisy, overstimulating place — but USC experts suggest some ways to stay mentally and physically fit.

By Amber Dance / USC Today Are noise, pollution, and too much screen time making you cranky? USC experts remind us how to stay ahead. (Photo/iStock) Los Angeles is a vibrant, diverse, dynamic city. Urban living in Los Angeles is also crowded, polluted and noisy. "It is overstimulating," said Camille…

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Three ways for “wellderly” living ⟩
March 19, 2018

Events Health and Wellness Lifestyle Redesign

By Jeanine Blanchard MA ’99, PhD ’10 Photo courtesy of Ellen26/Pixabay Jeanine Blanchard is a project manager at USC Chan and was a member of USC Well Elderly Studies research team. It is well known that the aging population is rapidly increasing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the…

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Why I chose USC ⟩
March 19, 2018

Chan in the Media Diversity, Access, Equity Health and Wellness Students

Occupational therapy graduate student Joyce Yoo MA ’19 tells USC HSC News why she chose to pursue her education and training at USC Chan.

By Joyce Yoo MA ’19/USC HSC News Photo courtesy of Joyce Yoo "In order to share why I chose USC, I must first explain why I decided to pursue occupational therapy. Though it has many different definitions, I have defined OT as beautiful disruptions. It goes without saying that life is not…

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Five things people don’t know about multiple sclerosis ⟩
March 15, 2018

Clinical Events Health and Wellness

By Laura Cox MA ’17, OTD ’18 Laura Cox is an occupational therapy doctoral resident at Keck Medicine of USC. Approximately 950,000 individuals in the United States are living with multiple sclerosis (MS), and global rates are continuing to increase. While the worldwide incidence of MS is just…

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Tips for a better bedtime during Sleep Awareness Week ⟩
March 12, 2018

Clinical Events Health and Wellness

By Nick Ogura MA '16, OTD '18/USC Today Photo by Madi Doell/Unsplash Nick Ogura is an occupational therapy doctoral resident at the USC Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice. Do the effects of the Daylight Savings switch seem to linger all year long? You’re not alone. According to the National…

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Okay Cupid, what’s occupation got to do with it? ⟩
February 14, 2018

Alumni Events Health and Wellness

On Valentine's Day 2018, dating coach, occupational therapist and USC Chan alumna Karen McCarthy shares insights from her qualitative study on the habits and occupations of dating. Learn more about McCarthy at karenmccarthycoaching.com.

By Karen McCarthy MA ’04, OTD ’08 with Kimberly Kho A little over six years ago, I made a major life-changing decision: I left my comfortable life in Manhattan Beach, California, and moved to Ireland. I took a major pay cut for my new job, but I did it for love, certain that I would find my…

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New USC study shows occupational therapy improves health, quality of life of young adults with diabetes ⟩
January 19, 2018

Chan in the Media Faculty Health and Wellness Lifestyle Redesign Research

NIH-funded REAL Diabetes study is first occupational therapy research trial to appear in diabetes literature

By Mike McNulty / USC Today / HSC News New results from a University of Southern California-led research study demonstrate the distinct value of occupational therapy for improving the health and quality of life of young adults living with diabetes. Research participants who completed the Resilient,…

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Keeping pain at bay ⟩
December 31, 2017

Chan in the Media Faculty Health and Wellness

Assistant Research Professor Stacey Schepens Niemiec offers tips for better pain management in the New Year

By Lita Smith-Mines/Boating Times Long Island Photo courtesy of Boating Times Long Island The advice “pace yourself” is often expressed when someone appears in danger of burning out by doing too much, too fast. It’s also excellent counsel to persons trying to cope with painful or fatiguing…

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