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

Karen Lai MA ’19

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I became interested in occupational therapy when I saw the positive results it had on my cousin’s life. He experienced brachial nerve injury when the obstetrician pulled him too fast from his mother’s womb. Through the persistent efforts of occupational therapists and his coach, he won gold in the 2.5 km standing classic para male event during the Canada Winter Games. His story inspired me.

What area of practice are you interested in?
That’s a good question. I believe I am equally interested in pediatrics and adult rehabilitation and in the application of technology in OT practice. I also wonder what administration and policy is all about.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I enjoy hiking and biking with family and friends, as well as riding a Segway.

What do you think is the greatest invention of mankind?
Electricity. Electricity frees us from the constraints of the solar cycle and enables us to use the Internet and power lights and other transportation vehicles.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
The aroma of Cantonese Dim Sum.

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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.