Ashley Halle OTD, OTR/L
Coordinator of Primary Care Residency and Services and Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
CHP 138A
(323) 442-2268
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Ashley Halle graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies and a minor in Occupational Science. She continued at USC to pursue her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and then her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree. Her doctoral work focused on interprofessional primary health care, which continues to be an area of passion and expertise.
Dr. Halle currently balances various teaching, administrative and clinical responsibilities at the USC Chan Division. These roles include providing patient care in primary health care settings, teaching and training students, generating and supporting innovative work in primary care and collaborating on various interprofessional projects. She is passionate about student learning, interprofessional education and collaborative practice, transforming primary health care environments to best meet the needs of patients and populations and expanding occupational therapy’s role in primary health care to help people live happier, healthier and more meaningful lives.
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
2012 | University of Southern California
Master of Arts (MA)
in Occupational Therapy
2011 | University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science (BS)
in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies
2008 | University of Southern California
2023
Jordan, K., & Halle, A. (2023). Administrative and operational considerations. In S. Dahl-Popolizio, K. Smith, M. Day, S. Muir, & W. Manard (Eds.), Primary care occupational therapy: A quick reference guide (pp. 15-29). Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20882-9_3 Show abstract
To successfully integrate occupational therapy services in a primary care setting, it is essential to consider the administrative needs of the organization. This chapter addresses creating a strategic plan, considerations for the primary care environment, reimbursement, populations served, regulatory bodies, and service delivery models of primary care occupational therapy.
2019
Halle, A. D., Kaloostian, C., & Stevens, G. D. (2019). Occupational therapy student learning on interprofessional teams in geriatric primary care. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(5), 7305185050p1-7305185050p10. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.037143 Show abstract
Importance. Geriatric, interprofessional primary care training for occupational therapy students is needed.
Objective. To measure occupational therapy student–reported knowledge, attitudes, and skills after participation in interprofessional geriatric educational programs.
Design. Prospective, observational study with pre- and posttests for the three programs.
Participants. Fifty-nine entry-level and postprofessional occupational therapy master’s students.
Outcomes and Measures. Self-reported familiarity with other professionals’ roles, perceptions of interprofessional training, capabilities to conduct assessments, and attitudes of older adults.
Results. Students of the three programs (Interprofessional Geriatrics Curriculum [IPGC], Student Senior Partnership Program [SSPP], and Geriatric Assessment Program [GAP]) reported different improvements in familiarity of roles, capabilities of assessment, and Geriatric Attitudes Scale (GAS) scores. For example, IPGC and SSPP students had changes in total GAS score (3.91–4.08, p = .002, and 3.84–3.99, p = .003, respectively), but no change was found for GAP students (3.85–3.91, p = .523).
Conclusions and Relevance. More structured interprofessional education with older adults appeared to help prepare occupational therapy students to work on geriatric interprofessional teams in primary care.
What This Article Adds. This article expands on growing evidence to support occupational therapy’s role in primary care by addressing the need to train future generations to work on interprofessional geriatric primary care teams.
2018
Halle, A. D., Mroz, T. M., Fogelberg, D. J., & Leland, N. E. (2018). Health policy perspectives—Occupational therapy and primary care: Updates and trends. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(3), 7203090010p1-7203090010p6. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.723001 Show abstract
As our health care system continues to change, so do the opportunities for occupational therapy. This article provides an update to a 2012 Health Policy Perspectives on this topic. We identify new initiatives and opportunities in primary care, explore common challenges to integrating occupational therapy in primary care environments, and highlight international works that can support our efforts. We conclude by discussing next steps for occupational therapy practitioners in order to continue to progress our efforts in primary care.
Valasek, S., & Halle, A. (2018). Practicing in an established primary care setting: Practical tips and considerations. OT Practice, 23(15), 8–11, 13. https://doi.org/10.7138/otp.2018.2315.f1
2016
Leland, N. E., Fogelberg, D. J., Halle, A. D., & Mroz, T. M. (2016). Occupational therapy and management of multiple chronic conditions in the context of health care reform. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(1), 7101090010p1-7101090010p6. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.711001 Show abstract
One in four individuals living in the United States has multiple chronic conditions (MCCs), and the already high prevalence of MCCs continues to grow. This population has high rates of health care utilization yet poor outcomes, leading to elevated concerns about fragmented, low-quality care provided within the current health care system. Several national initiatives endeavor to improve care for the population with MCCs, and occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to contribute to these efforts for more efficient, effective, client-centered management of care. By integrating findings from the literature with current policy and practice, we aim to highlight the potential role for occupational therapy in managing MCCs within the evolving health care system.
2015
Halle, A. D. (2015, Spring/Summer). Integration of behavioral and mental health providers in primary care: Challenges and opportunities. Outlook: Newsletter of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Full text
2014
Reilly, J. M., Aranda, M. P., Segal-Gidan, F., Halle, A., Han, P. P., Harris, P., Jordan, K., Mulligan, R., Resnik, C., Tsai, K. Y., Williams, B., & Cousineau, M. R. (2014). Assessment of student interprofessional education (IPE) training for team-based geriatric home care: Does IPE training change students' knowledge and attitudes? Home Health Care Services Quarterly, 33(4), 177-193. https://doi.org/10.1080/01621424.2014.968502 Show abstract
Our study assesses changes in students' knowledge and attitudes after participation in an interprofessional, team-based, geriatric home training program. Second-year medical, physician assistant, occupational therapy, social work, and physical therapy students; third-year pharmacy students; and fourth-year dental students were led by interprofessional faculty teams. Student participants were assessed before and after the curriculum using an interprofessional attitudes learning scale. Significant differences and positive data trends were noted at year-end. Our study suggests that early implementation, assessment, and standardization of years of student training is needed for optimal interprofessional geriatric learning. Additionally, alternative student assessment tools should be considered for future studies.
Extraordinary Engagement Award | 2014
USC Civic Engagement
Faculty winners in AOTA elections ⟩
January 29, 2021
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,…
Three faculty members on ballot in 2021 AOTA elections ⟩
January 6, 2021
Meet the Trojans looking to make a nationwide difference for the good of the profession.
Latest issue of AJOT features 23 USC-affiliated authors ⟩
September 30, 2019
Katie Jordan is guest editor of the journal’s special issue on primary care
China Initiative Visits Hong Kong, Beijing, and Fuzhou | December 2017 ⟩
February 15, 2018
Purpose In December, a USC Chan China Initiative delegation visited Hong Kong, Beijing and Fuzhou. In Hong Kong, members of the team visited and dined with Mrs. T.H. Chan and her family including USC Trustee Ronnie C. Chan MBA ’76. In Beijing, team members attended and delivered presentations at…
Shawn Roll is guest editor of latest AJOT on musculoskeletal conditions ⟩
January 23, 2017
Research journal issue kicks off profession's centennial anniversary celebrations
Two faculty members earn year-end nods ⟩
May 8, 2014
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…
85 Trojans representing at 2013 OTAC conference ⟩
October 22, 2013
85 Trojan alumni and faculty will be presenting at the 2013 Conference of the Occupational Therapy Association of California, Oct. 24-27 at the Sacramento (Calif.) Convention Center. On the evening of Friday Oct. 25, be sure to join your USC Trojan Family at the conference's alumni cocktail mixer.…
Collaboration is the key for interprofessional health program ⟩
July 17, 2013
Collaboration between professional students, including occupational therapy graduate students, is key to the success of USC's Interprofessional Geriatrics Curriculum, thanks in part to assistant professor of clinical occupational therapy Ashley Halle. Read more about how Collaboration is the key for…
128 Trojans Presenting at 2013 AOTA Conference ⟩
April 23, 2013
128 USC alumni, faculty, and students are scheduled to present at the 2013 Conference of the American Occupational Therapy Association, April 25-28 at the San Diego Convention Center. Presentation formats include a pre-conference institute, workshops, short courses, research and professional posters…
From Student to Patient: How Keck Medicine of USC Brought Me Back to Life ⟩
Morgan Stephens, in
Trojan Family Magazine | July 25, 2022
USC’s Post-COVID clinic guided this USC alumna on her journey back to health.
Occupational Therapist Assists With Daily Do’s ⟩
Andy Lippman, in
South Pasadena Review | July 15, 2022
Advice from Ashley Halle help one South Pasadena reporter solve everyday post-pandemic problems.
USC community copes with health struggles caused by the pandemic ⟩
Helen Nguyen, in
Daily Trojan | April 28, 2021
The coronavirus pandemic has completely reconstructed how we go about our lives. From the way we live and socialize with others to the way we learn, the pandemic has forced us to adapt to a new virtual environment. As universities like USC continue to adapt to both teaching and learning online, a huge toll weighs on the physical health of everyone involved.
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