Student Blog
Getting Involved

A Day of Celebration ⟩
February 4, 2013, by Amber

Getting Involved

Before deciding to change careers and become an occupational therapist, I worked for many years as a corporate event manager. I still have a love for pulling off great events, so in my “spare” time I work occasionally for an event production company helping with day-of event management and coordination. The pinnacle of my time working for this company was when I had the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama at a private fundraiser in 2011. I do have a picture of us together, and if you really want to see it post a comment below and I’ll put it up for you!

But this blog is about a wonderful event I worked this weekend: the grand opening of a new patient care tower at CHOC Children’s hospital in Orange County. The day before the event, I had the opportunity to tour the new facility, which is still empty. It was incredible to see the shiny new hospital with all the latest technology. There were so many little improvements that will make a huge difference in patient care. For example, there is a nurse’s station between every two rooms, with windows looking directly into the rooms. This allows the child to see someone nearby at all times, and allows the nurse to monitor the child more closely. Also, they mounted all their equipment from the ceilings, with the knowledge that the number one error in operating rooms is tripping over equipment.

The celebration on Saturday was free and open to the public. It was the most elaborate community festival I had ever seen. There was a Disney-sponsored dedication ceremony and entertainment featuring famous child stars from Disney and Nickelodeon. In-N-Out Burger, Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, and other vendors handed out free meals to the attendees. Games and giveaways were spread throughout the festival area. Stilt walkers, clowns, and princesses roamed the closed-down street. The public also got the opportunity to tour the new facility in small groups. It was a beautiful day celebrating a great cause, and I was proud to be part of the crew that made it happen!

⋯

Alisa Goes to Ohio ⟩
November 27, 2012, by Alisa

Getting Involved

I don’t get to travel a lot, but I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel across the country a few weeks ago! The Division generously supported a selected number of students to attend the AOTA/NBCOT Student Conclave in Ohio, Columbus in November. I got to learn about the culture and realized the power of OTs. We are unstoppable! Being at the same place as 500 other OT/OTA students provided a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from each other. As a student ambassador, I also tabled at the USC booth and met many students who expressed interest in doing the MA/OTD/PHD programs. I also met an USC OT alum who graduated in the ‘70s and is now a professor at another university. It was also encouraging to see students in their undergraduate programs just starting to think about graduate school.

I realized that wherever I go, education is always going to be part of what I do. The conference area had businesses that are open to non-conference goers too. I met a group of guys at Einstein Bagels who thought that it was a women’s conference. I chuckled and corrected that this is an occupational therapy conference. He looked at me and said, “What’s that?” I then explained to him, “Occupation as in how you occupy your time. How do you like to occupy your time?” He said he fights, and he is here visiting Columbus to support his friend in a fight competition.  I educated him by saying, “Imagine one day if you can’t fight anymore, you might see an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists can help you get back to what you’re doing before and live life to the fullest.” He then replied, “That’s very specific.” We exchanged a few more remarks and parted ways, but it made me realize that wherever I go, I take the opportunity to educate people about the profession. I believe in the profession, that we can make a difference in people’s lives and improve their quality of life. It is then also our responsibility to spread awareness about occupational therapy. Let’s all work toward the Centennial Vision to help make occupational therapy “widely recognized” and “globally connected.” One way to achieve it is by talking to the person next to you while waiting in line at the grocery store, the bus stop, or a coffee shop. Who knows where the conversation could lead you? What has been your experience with educating people about occupational therapy?

⋯

Remembering our Veterans ⟩
November 14, 2012, by Kendra

Community Getting Involved

This past Friday I had the pleasure of working the annual Veteran’s Day Reception for a second time. My father did not serve in the military and neither did my brother, cousins, uncles or aunts. But my two grandfathers did serve in the navy during WWII. So even though I do not have an immediate connection to the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, I feel a profound respect and gratitude for the services these people provide for our country.

I remember growing up and asking my grandfather to tell me stories about the war, he’d calmly respond with ‘another time’ or ‘when you’re older.’ Sadly I missed the opportunity to learn about their war experiences as they both passed away before I was ‘old enough’ to know more. Both of my grandfathers were quiet, reserved men. Was this a result of their generation? Or because of the war they lived through?

As we learn about wounded warriors, unemployment rates for our veterans, and the high prevalence of PTSD, I wonder what it was like for them. Did they have nightmares? Did they struggle to make a civilian life for themselves? Did they carry old wounds and bear the pain in solitude? Although I will never know the answers to these questions, I can use my curiosity to help the soldiers returning from war, and going back to war today.

During the reception, the keynote speaker stressed the importance of community and support. She applauded the closeness of the military family, but she also reminded us all that there is a community of support and aide outside of the military. As she remarked on the quiet, invisible effects of war I saw people bow their heads in silent agreement, and as she talked about assimilating back into civilian life and missing the war, again I saw agreement and was it guilt? Confusion? The military is about more than training soldiers, it offers a family and a bond that these people will carry for the rest of their lives. If I were in their shoes I’d feel confused, why should I want to go back there? But what is really missed is the feeling that someone will always have your back. Suddenly you’re home and without the safety net you came to rely upon overseas. That is a special and unique feeling, and once you have it you’ll always want to keep it with you.

This is why we must welcome our soldiers with open arms. We must provide medical, social, and occupational support. We need to show them our gratitude not just through educational opportunities and annual receptions, but by instilling the confidence in them that we will always and forever support our troops on the battlefield and at home.

⋯

OT/PT Forum ⟩
November 13, 2012, by Amber

Getting Involved What are OS/OT?

Last night I attended the OT/PT Forum, which served as an opportunity for students and practitioners to explore interdisciplinary collaboration between the fields of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The discussion involved a variety of case scenarios in pediatrics, pain management, and hospital-based physical disabilities. Interdisciplinary teams representing both fields contributed their intervention ideas for these true scenarios. For example, one case involved a man who was in an acute stage of treatment for cancer that had affected his spinal cord and therefore his ability to walk. The physical therapist focused on helping the man to regain strength, balance, and retraining him to walk. The occupational therapist focused on the deep anxiety that the man was feeling due to his disability, and helped him with relaxation and compensatory strategies. It was fascinating to hear the perspectives of physical therapy practitioners, and gain an appreciation for their approach to treatment. The Forum also brought to light current research from both occupational therapy and physical therapy. The event has been presented by our occupational therapy honor society, Pi Theta Epsilon, for three years. Please comment if you have any ideas for topics for the next OT/PT Forum!

⋯

Interdisciplinary Health Fair ⟩
November 13, 2012, by Paula

Community Getting Involved What are OS/OT?

Last Saturday, USC Occupational Therapy students participated in a health fair at the YMCA of Alhambra with our Health Science Campus neighbors! The PharmSC Clinic hosted this student-run health fair with support and involvement of the USC School of Pharmacy, USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, USC Physician’s Assistant Program and UCLA School of Dentistry. The event was a collaboration of efforts in order to educate the community and honor National Diabetes Awareness Month.

At one point in the day when there was a lull in the community attendance, a student from our tabling neighbors turned to our table and asked, “So, what is OT, anyway?” As an OT student, we often hear this question from the community and are used to educating others about OT. Providing this education to students of the other disciplines is just as valuable in order to advocate for our profession among future interdisciplinary professionals. Overall, it was a great morning of educating community members and students from the other disciplines. Many of the consumers who approached our booth had either not heard of Occupational Therapy or were familiar with OT but unsure of what OTs do in practice in terms of Diabetes management. Student volunteers educated consumers about the importance of a balanced daily routine. We also described how Occupational Therapists help clients find new strategies to stay on top of blood sugar levels, medication and insulin timing throughout the day. Another hot topic was the importance of good grooming and activity levels to improve general health and thus also help with Diabetes management.

Consumers responded with interest in learning more about OT and also an appreciation of what we do as a profession for such a variety of individuals and settings we serve. It was a great day of spreading the news of how valuable Occupational Therapy truly is!

⋯