Student Blog
Alyssa

A Step Forward! ⟩
May 11, 2017, by Alyssa

Beginnings and Endings

Goodbyes are never easy. So, here I am, feeling a bit sad and reminiscent as I write my final blog post as a student ambassador. I have had the best memories with my fellow student ambassador team!

Graduation is tomorrow (YAA!!!!) and I am so excited to spend the day with my biggest supporters, my family and friends! I have had the most incredible year and I am so thankful that I chose USC. I still remember the initial moment I found out that I was accepted. I was in my dorm and received a cheerful call from Dr. Liz Carley. After this phone call ended, I could not help but to scream, dance, and share the good news! I knew that I had something very worthwhile lying ahead of me!

This journey of mine at USC has been quite transformative, as I have gone back and forth about what practice area (pediatrics, physical rehabilitation, etc.) I want to pursue. Thanks to the incredible faculty here at USC, I have received so much support to leave my “comfort zone,” and explore an emerging area for OT practice, primary care.

Throughout this past year, I have developed a strong interest and passion for helping individuals prevent and manage chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease) by adopting healthy lifestyle routines and habits. Specifically, I find myself passionate about helping these individuals within the primary care setting. I am so excited to share that I will be staying here at USC to pursue my passion and clinical doctorate degree (OTD) in the advanced clinical track! I will be completing my residency at Alta Med Health Care and I can’t wait to start working with other health care professionals on interdisciplinary teams to meet the primary care needs of individuals across the lifespan (pediatrics to adults ☺)

For those of you who are just beginning your journey towards becoming an OT, I wish you the best of luck!

Embrace the value in every learning moment and always ask questions!
Take time to know your classmates and faculty, as these are the people who will teach and laugh with you along the way.
Thank the ones who support you ☺
Challenge yourself! & Most importantly, have fun and enjoy!

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OT Kickoff! ⟩
March 28, 2017, by Alyssa

Community

Hello Spring!!

I apologize for my blogging absence these past few weeks — time flies fast when you are having fun and enjoying your electives!!

I am absolutely thrilled for the Month of April! In fact, so is our whole USC CHAN Division! During the month of April, we celebrate Occupational Therapy!! This past Monday, we celebrated our kickoff to OT Month with an event held at our Health Science Campus. This was a FUN, carnival-style event, with outdoor games, free PIZZA, OT buttons, and a quite informative skit from JRoe and I! I had a blast spending time with my classmates, faculty, and our student ambassador team!

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A visit to a OS minor course! ⟩
January 25, 2017, by Alyssa

Classes What are OS/OT?

Last week, I had the chance to visit Dr. Olga Solomon’s Occupational Science (OS) minor course: Occupational Foundations of Human-Animal Interaction! During my visit, I was able to learn how interacting with an animal can benefit your overall health and wellness. I mean . . . who would have thought that some quality time with a cute creature can boost your social-emotional, physiological, and physical well-being?! In addition to learning more about animal-assisted therapy, I also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Catherine Dorr, the executive director of Assistance Dogs International and an occupational therapist OTD, OTR/L who facilitates canine interventions within her clinical practice. During this classroom visit, I met Ford, who is pictured below with me.  Dr. Dorr shared her experiences with working with Ford and her passion for training other canines to serve as facility dogs.

In addition, the Office for Wellness and Health Promotion (OWHP) at USC has introduced its newest member, Professor Beau. Professor Beau is unlike other canines; he is the first, full-time wellness dog that USC has ever had! Fight on!

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New Year, Big News! ⟩
January 10, 2017, by Alyssa

Community Living in LA

Happy New Year! I couldn’t be more proud to be a Trojan!

With a big football victory and a kickoff to celebrating the OT centennial with a float in the Rose Parade, things are certainly exciting here at USC OSOT! Not to mention, this week also marks the beginning of spring semester. Now when it comes to football, the Trojans made quite the appearance at the Rose Bowl. It had been a long 8 years since USC had played in the Rose Bowl game and were certainly able to FIGHT ON and win 52-49 against Penn State. What a way for USC to start off a new year!

2017 marks a century of Occupational Therapy, which means our national organization and health profession will turn 100 years old! As we move forward into this New Year, the students here at USC OSOT continue to promote our profession, especially the wonderful people we have met and helped. Check out our AMAZING float and learn more about OT! ☺

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The Community Matters! ⟩
December 5, 2016, by Alyssa

Classes Community What are OS/OT?

Currently, I am taking OT 537: Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community! Specifically, this class is about finding a need within the community and developing a program to address it. With this purpose, you become familiar with the process of planning and evaluating a program, proposal writing, and addressing a prevalent health need. With an understanding and love for meaningful occupation, what better way to apply this knowledge and passion than to build and cultivate a program design! My classmate, Lauren, and I both have a strong interest in health promotion and wellness!

With this interest, we decided to research and develop a program within the workplace to address busy professionals with or at risk for developing hypertension. Our purpose was to educate and collaborate with this population in how to self-manage their health needs, incorporate healthy lifestyle habits into their daily routines, and engage in purposeful, occupation-based activities.

In addition, if you would like to learn more about the other courses offered within in the entry-level Master’s program, I highly encourage you to do so. 😊

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