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Home ⟩The People of USC Chan ⟩Meet Our Trojan Family ⟩Entry-Level Doctorate (OTD)

Delila Newman MA ’15

Hometown: I grew up mostly in Boise, ID, but have lived in 10 different states (Texas, Maryland, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Hawaii). I most recently moved to California from Maui almost 3 years ago.

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I grew up as a competitive athlete (gymnastics, snowboarding, track and field) and have always been intrigued by how the human body works. I started college at the University of Colorado in 1998 as a fine arts major (ceramics), but after a year and a half, I wasn’t sure of that path. I took some time off to live in ski resort towns & travel to New Zealand and Australia. While abroad, I realized that I I should further my education. From the time I was a child, I enjoyed giving massages, so I choose to enroll in massage therapy school. It was there that I fell in love with kinesiology.  After several years of being a massage therapist, I returned to school (CalPoly SLO) with an intention to get my Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and my doctorate in physical therapy. After a year, I realized that being a PT didn’t exactly fit me. While I was working as a PT aide, I met an OT who came to the clinic a couple times a week. As she explained her job, I felt an immediate connection. I left CalPoly and continued my career as a massage therapist until 3 years ago when I enrolled at CalState Northridge, finished my Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology & was accepted to USC!

What area of practice are you interested in?
As of now, I’m interested in working at a rehabilitation hospital for physical disabilities on one of the Hawaiian Islands. I want to incorporate aquatic therapy into my treatments when possible.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I run and surf. I’m crafty and make birthday, Christmas and Valentine’s Day cards for my friends and family. I enjoy pushing myself physically and going after an adrenaline rush. I’ve been skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, white water rafting, cliff jumping, scuba diving and I completed P90X as well as running the Maui Marathon. I want to try CrossFit next and then sign up for the Tough Mudder.

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
I pretty much always have juice, vegetables, 12 grain bread, coconut milk, peanut or almond butter, chocolate & cheese.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have a superpower it would be the ability to help others get over emotional trauma. I would be able to go do the depths of their pain and assist them in overcoming the hurt, loss and grief. I would be able to magically make their trauma dissolve, so they could go on to lead happy, healthy and amazing lives! That’s why I love OT, because I can accomplish at least a fraction of that superpower. 😊

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USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). The USC entry-level OTD degree program (cost of attendance) has been granted Candidacy Status by ACOTE. View our program’s ACOTE standards public data. ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-6611 x2914, acoteonline.org

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.