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

Kristine Frey MA ’23

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I’ve been a private swim instructor since 2014, with a niche for children with disabilities, and seeing what’s possible with the engagement of a meaningful activity led me to research and realize that OT was for me! When my grandmother had a series of strokes, they sent someone to our home and taught my grandma how she should have her shower/bed/etc. set up, how she could continue with gardening safely (she even brought a cutting from her garden for my grandma), how to properly use a walker, all kinds of things, and that woman empowered her the most after such a scary time. Looking back, that woman had to have been an OT. I want to be able to do that for others.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I love to swim with my golden retriever puppy and my husband, spend quality time with my family and friends, go on hikes, visit as many National Parks and State Parks as possible, go to the beach, go camping, go to Dodger games, online “shop” by adding things to my cart and not buying them, read, stretch, do Pilates . . . pre-COVID, I was always at the gym, but now I just do anything to keep me moving. When I have the time, I love to cook and play around in the kitchen.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
In the summer, we had a competition in class and I loved being a part of the “Lumbri-GURLS” team, with our signature sassy lumbrical grip and slogan created by my classmate, now friend, Bryan.

If you could be immortal, what age would you choose to stop aging at and why?
Mentally and wisdom-wise, never — I want to keep learning and gain wisdom. I look forward to mentally growing for the rest of my life. Physically, 25 — I was in great shape!

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
If I could travel anywhere with unlimited funds and time, I’d go to Victoria Falls in Southern Africa, to Patagonia and see Torres del Paine National Park, to New Zealand and visit the Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, and to the Galapagos. I also really want to visit my family all over Mexico — Chihuahua, Durango, and Guadalajara — and visit Ireland and meet the family I have there, too.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Just try. No matter what, always try. — My dad taught me that as a kid.

Like roses, sometimes our lives need to be pruned in order to grow the big, beautiful flowers we want. — My friend told me that during a hard time and it always stuck with me.

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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 accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is accredited by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.