Latest Chan Division News
Students

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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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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Students organize bake sale to benefit Ukrainian refugees ⟩
April 20, 2022

Events Global Initiatives Students

Proceeds will be donated to three humanitarian organizations.

By Danny Park (Photo by Abraham Ramirez) From April 18-21, Global Initiatives is hosting a bake sale fundraiser to benefit organizations supporting the 2.6 million Ukrainian refugees who have fled to Poland. The fundraiser is spearheaded by student Natasha Hikita MA ’23, whose family in Poland is…

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Trojans gather to celebrate Lunar New Year ⟩
January 31, 2022

China Initiative Community and Partners Diversity, Access, Equity Events Faculty International Students

Participants from 9 countries share, reflect and engage in occupations to mark the holiday.

By Danny Park Students celebrating the Lunar New Year (photo/courtesy of Cheng Kai (Jason) Lin) Nearly 50 students and faculty from the USC Chan Division and Peking University Health Science Center gathered together online to celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday on Jan. 28. The Lunar New Year is an…

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Newly published review covers current brain-gut-microbiome and autism literature ⟩
December 16, 2021

Autism Diversity, Access, Equity Research Students

Co-first authors of Nutrients review supported by USC’s DIA JumpStart undergraduate pipeline program.

By Mike McNulty (Illustration by Martina/Adobe Stock) A new scoping review of nearly 200 publications covering the relationships between autism spectrum disorder and the brain–gut–microbiome system was published online today in Nutrients. The review synthesizes the growing body of research…

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A USC Chantastic Friendsgiving Celebration ⟩
November 22, 2021

Diversity, Access, Equity Events Global Initiatives International Students

by Dr. Danny Park On Thursday, November 18, the USC Chan student community came together to celebrate Friendsgiving in one of the largest in-person community gatherings hosted by the Division since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 90 students from all Chan academic programs…

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