Student Blog
Cara

Day in the Life of a First-Year E-OTD Student ⟩
November 2, 2025, by Cara

Classes Community School/Life Balance Videos

Come spend a day in my life as a first-year student in USC Chan’s Entry-Level Doctorate program! One of my favorite things about this program is that I am never bored with the curriculum. The curriculum ranges from foundational courses like philosophy, kinesiology, and neuroscience to exercising my creativity through reflective practices and crafts. No two days are alike, and I leave each class more passionate about the profession and inspired by the impact I want to make as a future practitioner.

If you have questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Protect the OT Voice: An Interview with Dr. Samia Rafeedie ⟩
September 22, 2025, by Cara

Community Getting Involved

Some people you meet leave a positive, lasting impression. Dr. Samia Rafeedie is one of those people for me. Ask anyone at Chan and they’ll tell you that her superpower is empowering others. Not only is she a beloved professor and the director of our E-OTD program, but she also serves as the President of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). Recently, she delivered an inspiring speech to the new E-OTD class about joining OTAC and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Afterward, I had the privilege of speaking with her 1-on-1, where she shared insights about OTAC’s work, why advocacy matters, and how to maximize the profession’s future both as students and practitioners.

Path to Leadership
Dr. Rafeedie has always carried a strong sense of responsibility and values giving back. In 2009, a colleague encouraged her to chair OTAC’s Education Committee. From there, she co-led the OTAC Conference Committee, revised the submission process for conference abstracts, served as the Political Action Committee Chair, and eventually was encouraged to run for President. Now, she oversees board meetings and committees, participates in California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT) meetings, and travels, often to Sacramento, to discuss with policymakers about bills affecting the profession. And, she does this all voluntarily.

About OTAC
In describing OTAC, Dr. Rafeedie said, “OTAC is the only entity that protects our profession in California.” Of OTAC’s 2,500 members, 1,500 are students. But, OTAC provides opportunities to support both students and practitioners. First, the OTAC Education Alliance invites all 40 OT and OTA programs in California to join as institutional members, providing resources such as advocacy and leadership lectures and opportunities to meet ACOTE standards. “Our goal is to groom them [students] into becoming leaders,” Dr. Rafeedie said. Since Spring 2025, 7 programs have joined (4 have already paid, and 3 more have checks on the way!). Secondly, the OTAC Education Passport helps members earn continuing education for license renewal, providing a free monthly professional development unit (PDU) that can be applied toward their renewal credits. The success of these initiatives, Dr. Rafeedie said,is testament to the fact that her job cannot be done single-handedly, but is a team effort. A Board of Directors, five regional directors, committee chairs, and lobbyists all play an integral role in making OTAC’s work possible.

Advocacy = Career Insurance
Oftentimes, we assume that if we choose a career not directly related to politics, we avoid it. But, politics is everywhere. And as Dr. Rafeedie noted, our profession is inherently political by virtue of being part of healthcare, whether we like it or not. Then, when asked why people should advocate for the profession by joining our national and state associations, her answer was straightforward: it’s like career insurance. Without it, Dr. Rafeedie said, decisions will be made for the profession, often not in our favor. Yet fewer than 4% of practitioners are members of OTAC, leaving much of the profession at risk of being undervalued with less opportunities to be effective agents of change.

Advocacy in Practice
Amidst her busy schedule, Dr. Rafeedie still clinically practices, drawing confidence from her involvement with OTAC to ensure OT’s worth is recognized and respected among other healthcare professions. “If you don’t get in there, no one will ever hear your perspective - the OT voice. And, If we don’t speak, we lose an opportunity,” she said. She advocates for patients as she does for the profession, ensuring OT is inserted where it belongs and pushing back when necessary. Her voice extends to Chan, from teaching to leading the first annual OTAC ResearchSymposium. “I don’t just do my job, I am the job — I do feel like the President when I am advocating for my patients or for my profession.”

Advice for Students & Practitioners
Whether you’re a new student or practitioner, becoming a member and renewing your membership is the first step. But, Dr. Rafeedie encourages being as proactive as possible. Here are her suggestions:

- Attend OTAC conferences, symposiums, or special topic forums
- Join student organizations like OTSC, PTE, or COTAD
- Talk to professors
- Take the lead on group projects
- Present at conferences
- Volunteer on committees
- Stay informed about efforts by the state and national associations
- Encourage colleagues to join OTAC and AOTA

Going forward, Dr. Rafeedie envisions OTAC will “move away from focusing on the trees so that we can get into the forest.” In other words, she hopes to expand partnerships with larger organizations that can help increase subscriptions to OTAC’s programs from OT and OTA schools throughout the state. She also seeks to enrich the Education Passport by offering continuing education courses that practitioners need for license renewal, and collaborate with healthcare entities, including Cedar-Sinai, Rancho Los Amigos and Kaiser.

The last thing Dr. Rafeedie wanted to share was a quote from Maya Angelou: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” She stressed the importance of advocating for yourself rather than complaining, reminding us that being uninvolved only leaves problems unresolved and, as she put it, gets us “chewed up and spit out.” To put it simply, her advice is to be bold and courageous. “Challenge the status quo, take chances, and don’t be so apathetic about the profession.”

While it may seem counterintuitive to advocate for ourselves in a profession centered on compassion for others, it is equally important. Without compassion (and advocacy) for ourselves, the less we have to give to our patients.

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My Summer Reading Picks ⟩
August 7, 2025, by Cara

School/Life Balance

At the start of the year, I made a resolution to read more – at least one book a month. A couple of years ago, I bought two trending books, but they ended up just sitting untouched on my desk. Between school, work, and extracurriculars, I rarely found the time to sit down and read.

This year, however, I made it a priority to set aside time to read. As a result, I’ve read 8 books between spring and summer. Each one has left me with something valuable –  whether it was a new skill, a life lesson, stress management tools, or better self-awareness. If you’re looking for something new to read, here are some I recommend. 

1. The Comfort Zone by Kristen Butler

This was one of those books I bought years ago, but I’m glad I didn’t ignore it any longer. It challenges the common belief that we need to step outside of our comfort zones to thrive, and instead argues that your comfort zone is the powerhouse for growth. Inside your comfort zone, you can focus on your strengths and passions, boosting both motivation and confidence. That doesn’t mean never stepping out, just doing it thoughtfully so you adapt without stress. Simply put, setting small achievable goals. The diagrams, mindfulness exercises, and journal prompts included throughout the book not only helped me retain the concepts but also gave me tools to refer to whenever I find myself outside my comfort zone.

2. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

Part of what drew me to this book was its funny title, but also its focus on communication and personality types. It classifies people into four colors – red, yellow, green, blue – which represent different ways of thinking, feeling, perceiving, reacting, and being productive. The main takeaway is that if you want to connect better with others, you need to adjust how you communicate based on their style, not just your own. It really helped me recognize my habits and the ways in which I interact with others, both personally and professionally.

3. Dharma Is Everywhere by Revs. Bob and Patti Oshita

I grew up Buddhist, and this book is a collection of messages from two retired reverends at my church, shared during their time serving the California State Assembly. Being away from my local temple, this book has given me a comforting sense of home. I could picture myself seated in the hondo (main hall), surrounded by the sweet fragrance of burning incense, with my head bowed, eyes shut, and hands pressed together in reverence for the reverend’s speech. Each message is heart-felt and thought-provoking, and I often return to certain ones when I’m facing situations similar to what Rev. Bob and Patti experienced, using their reflections to help me find a solution.

4. The Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

I’m halfway through this book, and I like that it’s written as a discussion between a philosopher and a young man, which makes me feel like I’m right there listening to their conversation. It breaks down theories from Adlerian psychology and focuses on the notion that we aren’t trapped by our past but shaped by the goals we pursue. So far, it’s helped me realize how much I’ve let others’ opinions affect me, and why it’s important to stay true to myself.

Taking the time to read has cultivated a lot of meaning and self-growth for me. I hope one of these books can do the same for you. Happy reading!

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OT & PT: Same Team, No Games ⟩
June 25, 2025, by Cara

Community What are OS/OT?

One of the most common questions I’m asked at outreach events is, “What’s the difference between OT and PT?” If you’re unfamiliar, there’s a bit of a running joke about the OT versus PT rivalry. It’s something I first noticed while shadowing in an inpatient setting, and now experience personally with my sister, who’s a PT. But what is often overlooked is how OTs and PTs complement each other. So let’s clear up the confusion.

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
OT empowers individuals to live their fullest lives by improving the fine motor, emotional, cognitive, and social skills needed to re-engage in everyday activities, or “occupations,” that provide meaning. Whether that’s getting dressed, cooking, socializing, a hobby, working, or self-care. The goal is to find alternative ways to maintain a sense of normalcy and fulfillment when adversity affects how they usually perform these activities.

What is Physical Therapy (PT)?
PT, as my sister described, is about the body’s gross motor skills such as ambulation lifting mechanics and balance. The goal is to reduce pain and injury risk while helping individuals move more freely, which in turn supports their ability to do their occupations.

Simply put, PT gets your body moving again, and OT teaches you to apply that movement towards something functional, like feeding yourself or getting dressed.

How do OT and PT work together?
During my time in an inpatient setting, I often observed OTs and PTs do joint treatments. PT would gently stretch the lower body, while the OT assessed upper body motion and strength. The OT also helped with getting out of bed and personal hygiene, and the PT helped them practice walking and standing. In my sister’s experience working in schools, she partners with OTs to address sensory-seeking behaviors she encounters among students, combining their expertise to provide more holistic support.

OTs and PTs may tease each other, but at the end of the day, there’s mutual respect. While we focus on different aspects of care, we share the same goal: supporting individuals in finding motivation, purpose, and direction in doing what matters most to them. So no, neither profession is “better.” We’re just different pieces of the same puzzle, and it’s only through collaboration that the full picture is complete.

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Two Letters, One Enlightening Minor ⟩
June 2, 2025, by Cara

Beginnings and Endings Community What are OS/OT?

Though it’s been a few weeks since graduation, I find myself constantly reminiscing. My undergraduate experience was nothing short of exhilarating and transformative. A large part of that was due to being part of the OS Minor. The below is a love letter to the program and everything it gave me. 

Dear OS Minor,

It’s not often you find an environment that makes it worthwhile to show up to class. But you were one of those hidden gems. You arrived when I needed it most, turning the fear that comes with transferring into a sense of community, direction, and opportunity.

The courses themselves weren’t just theoretical — they were opportunities for self-expression, connection, and catharsis. I gained practical skills both for my OT toolbox and to thrive in life. Whether it was intimate class discussions, creative group work to understand OT across the lifespan, or service-learning like beach clean-ups and interacting with shelter animals, I learned to build meaningful connections and approach every space I occupy with open-mindedness, humility, and inclusivity. Additionally, I better understood who I am and what matters to me. Embracing the power of personal narrative allowed me to express my values to inspire others in my community, like Thrive Pod, a newsletter column for USC’s AAPI community, encouraging students to break the stigma and prioritize self-care.

But what truly makes the program valuable isn’t fun, unique courses that merely fulfill credit. It’s the professors, some of the most wholesome and remarkable individuals I’ll ever know.

To the faculty: there will never be enough words to do you justice. From the start, you created a welcoming and nurturing space, where every student was on a first-name basis with you all and going to office hours didn’t feel formal or intimidating. I’ll never forget Ashley’s sweetness and natural talent for breaking the ice, Diego’s childlike energy, Arameh for being the ultimate girl boss, Gabe for being down-to-earth, and Kate who, put simply, is the epitome of “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. Thanks to all of you and the comfort you provided, I found the reassurance I needed that USC was the right place for me, and that I’d be supported with the quality education and support concomitant with my aspirations. 

Besides your personalities, what sets you apart from other professors is the way you constantly enhance learning. It’s not just in your thoroughly written syllabus, but rather through the compassion you give so sincerely and freely. You took the time to understand my interests, offered mentorship, helped me get involved on campus, guided me through graduate school applications, and believed in my potential as an OT. I greatly appreciate your investment in me as more than just a student and hope to embody that same warmth, empathy, and dedication for my future patients.

Oh — and I can’t forget about being an Undergraduate Student Ambassador. From outreach efforts to filming faculty doing the silliest social media trends for recruitment, this was one of the highlights of my time at USC. It gave me the opportunity to give back to the program, promote OT, support prospective students, and become more connected to the Chan OSOT community. To everyone I’ve worked with this past year — thank you for the wonderful memories and friendships.

While part of me wants to freeze time, I’m eager for what’s next. This isn’t goodbye, OS Minor, for you were the foundation for everything to come. Sometimes I wonder what my college experience might’ve been like without the minor, but I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

✌️
Cara

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