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Occupational Therapy- A Family Affair ⟩
January 21, 2026, by Trinity

Beginnings and Endings Community

At the beginning of the year and just following time with my family this holiday season, I am prompted to reflect on how I got here, now a second year in the occupational therapy doctorate program. When looking back, I started to realize that I have not been on this journey alone. There have been so many people in my corner, and I wanted to take this moment to thank them.

I got to thinking about this topic because of a photo my brother sent me recently:

The caption reads “new pincer grasp practice just dropped,” and he is holding a fork between his thumb and index finger in a traditional pincer grasp. My brother is not an occupational therapist, but he has endured countless nerdy monologues about different grasps and developmental milestones from me. Now, he will always point out when he is using a particular grasp because he knows it is what I study. As we develop as occupational therapy students, we also share what we know with those around us, including our loved ones, which is a method of advocacy in itself.

Not only has my family been subject to lecture-like soliloquies on the ins and outs of occupational therapy, but they have also been my willing guinea pigs as I trial new interventions on them. All members of my family from my smallest cousin to my great grandmother have helped me try some new occupational therapy tricks.

My grandma who was 98 years old at the time of this photo tried my balloon batting activity. I am so grateful for her.

One of the defining features of occupational therapy is the importance it holds for a client’s individual values. In fact, we may walk the client through values checklists in sessions, and as a student, I have participated in the checklist multiple times. For me, family always comes out as one of the most important values. I am grateful for my family and all they have taught me.

I have learned that family is at the heart of occupational therapy. Whether that be a spouse who has taken on the role of care partner, a parent who is worried about their child’s development,  a child who is transitioning their parent to a new living situation, or a friend who has been an active listener throughout challenges, family is almost always involved in some way. We have the responsibility to care for our clients, but we can’t forget about the people who love and care for our clients as well. As we appreciate the people who have helped us along the way, it can help us remember to acknowledge the efforts of a client’s family.

Wherever you are on your OT journey, whether you are nearing the beginning or the end, please do not forget the people who have helped you get there. They will be the ones cheering for you when you graduate, when you get your first job, and at every little moment in between. If you feel that you have not found those people yet, I guarantee you that you can find them at USC. The faculty and students here have become my family. It is with them, and with my family at home, that this journey has been possible for me. I invite you to say thank you to those who listened to you and supported you, to those who learned what occupational therapy is because you are pursuing it, those who are on this journey alongside you! We don’t do it alone, and what a blessing that is!

 

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OS Symposium 2025 ⟩
November 1, 2025, by Trinity

Getting Involved

Hello everyone!

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to go to the USC Chan Occupational Science Symposium focused on Embodiment, Emplacement, and Occupational Science. It was held at a great venue, the Huntington in Pasadena. I am so grateful to the people who made this event possible! It was truly an experience I will never forget!

The keynote speaker, Dr. Antoine Bailliard, gave a great talk on embodiment and emplacement and how they affect occupation. He explained that occupations are best understood through our perceptions of the world and the interconnectedness of our minds, bodies, and environments. I especially liked Dr. Bailliard’s focus on the sensory environment in our occupational experiences. When a sensory environment is familiar, it may make an experience more comfortable. It is important for occupational therapists to keep a client’s sensory needs as well as their sensory habits in mind when working with them. If you want to learn more from Dr. Bailliard, check out all of his publications!

Next, I attended a breakout session with Dr. Rebecca Aldrich  and Dr. Joy Agner, who, along with current PhD students, are studying “Third Places,” which are places that help individuals to socialize and build connections. Check here for more information into the grant supporting this research!

Similar to Dr. Bailliard’s address, the researchers stressed that environments shape experiences rather than creating the backdrop for our occupations. They highlighted a way to conceptualize these third places, my favorite of which is the importance of diverse participants.
You can read about their research in full detail here:
Dr. Aldrich and team
Dr. Agner and team

After this, we had a wonderful lunch and a walk around the beautiful grounds of the Huntington. The Huntington’s remarkable botanical gardens feature plants from all diverse regions that honor different cultures and communities. Walking around this beautiful place was a perfect break in the day.

Afterwards, Dr. Diane Parham gave a tribute to Elizabeth Yerxa, a great mover and shaker in the field of occupational therapy and a founder of occupational science. Yerxa, who passed away within the last year, did so much for the field of occupational therapy, and I am so glad I could witness this tribute. To learn more about Elizabeth Yerxa, check here!

Dr. Linda Tickle-Degnen, the Elizabeth June Yerxa Lecturer, spoke on how to be an occupational therapy professional, how to be a change agent, how to be a scientist, and how to be a mentor in the context of her current research projects and the life of Elizabeth Yerxa. She researches Parkinson’s disease. My favorite quote from her lecture was “Rebel against an uncooperative environment.”

Finally, I attended the lecture of Dr. Ashley Uyeshiro Simon and Dr. Diego Lopez. They talked about the importance of having an engaging classroom environment, especially in the university context. This was a great way to end a fantastic day as it prompted ample group discussion and activity. I learned how important it can be to disrupt a predetermined set of actions in the classroom by changing the environment, expectations, or the activity.

This experience was incredibly beneficial for me as an aspiring occupational therapist. It is so wonderful to be in a room of people who all know what occupational therapy is and who all want to make the profession better. To be in a room where everyone has a vested interest in what is being shared is not an experience to take for granted, and I will cherish it as I continue on my occupational therapy journey. Remaining up to date with the latest research in the field is essential to providing the best possible care, and attending events like the symposium can be one way to stay informed.

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Grad School in LA… WITHOUT A CAR?!?! ⟩
September 19, 2025, by Trinity

Fieldwork Living in LA

Hello all!

New fieldwork assignments are about to begin, and with that in mind, I wanted to write about navigating the program without a car.

One thing about me is that I HATE driving, especially in Los Angeles. Beyond the actual driving part, paying for parking, finding an affordable gas station, and dealing with car insurance are extra stressors that I have chosen not to take on for the four years I have lived here.

Being able to make this choice is an incredible privilege! While the public transit in Los Angeles does have a bit of a negative reputation, I know I am lucky that this is even an option for me since a car is essential in most American cities. That being said, it does take flexibility, time management, and willingness to make things work to rely on this option for everything.

Here in Los Angeles, most of the public transit does connect to major attractions. For example, I can take the light rail right to famous museums, restaurants, and Union Station. The light rail as well as the Metro buses are covered by USC’s UPASS program, so students can ride for free. Students also get a discount on Metrolink tickets, which connects all of southern California.

Because I have been here for four years, I have gotten fairly used to public transportation and USC shuttles as my main means of getting around. Since most of my life exists on a college campus, this has not been too bad.

However, the fieldwork component of the occupational therapy program has made relying on public transit a bit more challenging (but not impossible). Fieldwork placements can be anywhere within the vicinity of USC, which can mean up to a 2 hour commute away depending on where you stay. Most people get placements that are near their homes, which makes it a better commute.

Still, most people have cars in the program because of the commute and the potential distance to the fieldwork sites. I have gotten really lucky, and I still have not had to bring a car for fieldwork or any other obligations I have here. This is because of my willingness to put location of site as my number one priority as I make my fieldwork wishlists, as well as the generosity of my friends in the program.

My first fieldwork location was a mental health site in Long Beach, California. I was going to take the train, but my lovely fieldwork partner, Angela, picked me up every week. I will be forever grateful that she helped me get to fieldwork, and I definitely owe her one for life! Carpooling is one option that has saved me from getting a car in the program.

Next, I had my pediatric fieldwork in a children’s mental and behavioral health clinic. This location was within walking distance, and I was able to get there with ease every week. It was a huge blessing. Of course, this is not very common. I am not sure anyone else ever had a site as close as mine was to me.

This semester I am doing my geriatrics fieldwork at an assisted living facility in Sierra Madre. I will be taking a combination of public transportation options to get there. I was paired with one of my good friends, Joseph, in the program for this rotation, and we are going to take public transit together.

I still know several other people in the program who do not have cars, so it is definitely possible! There, of course, are elements of compromise. Sometimes, you won’t get your first choice of a site or it may take a while to get there. For me though, it is worth it financially and emotionally to not have a car. This might change with my next rotation, but I am so grateful this has been an option for me thus far. My biggest piece of advice is to make the most out of every fieldwork experience, even if it was not your first choice or if the commute is long. There is always something to learn at every place. Truly, I have been so incredibly lucky in this program!

TLDR: While it can present challenges, it is absolutely possible not to have a car in the program, especially if you are willing to be flexible and lean on others for support.

 

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Joshua Tree and Me: My Hometown Vacation ⟩
August 14, 2025, by Trinity

Community

Hello! My name is Trinity, and I think one of the coolest things about me is that I am from Joshua Tree, California! It is basically a part of my personality at this point. Coming from a small place like Joshua Tree to a big city like Los Angeles has been an interesting experience, but both places are beautiful in their own way. For context, Joshua Tree is about 2 and a half hours from USC. It is a popular weekend trip destination for many USC students for camping, rock climbing, and vacationing. I definitely recommend going if you are at USC or in the area! Most people in Los Angeles go to Joshua Tree to get away from the hustle and bustle. That’s true for me too, but it’s pretty neat that one person’s vacation can be the same place I call home!

When I tell people where I am from, they almost always ask, “What did you even do out there?” This is totally valid honestly because if you have ever driven through Joshua Tree, you probably got the feeling that you were on another planet. We don’t have much, just a few restaurants and grocery stores. But we do have the second largest national park in California, and that makes it pretty special.

Some of my favorite activities to do in the national park are hiking, camping, and scrambling. You can find a lot of cool places that you don’t have to pay too much to explore, such as Black Rock or Indian Cove. My favorite hike in the national park is called 49 Palms Oasis Trail. If you want to check out this hike, make sure it is open! It closes after big storms and in the summer. Other hikes that are easy are Barker Dam, Black Rock Canyon, and the Mojave Desert preserve nature trail.

There are cool sights that you can drive to as well, such as Skull Rock. Even just driving through the national park is a great way to spend the day.

If you do end up coming to Joshua Tree, the night sky is worth staying overnight for. The one thing I miss more than anything else is seeing stars! And while you are there, try to catch a sunset or sunrise. They are unmatched!

As for food in the Joshua Tree area, there are some iconic ma and pa shops that are a must visit. Joshua Tree Saloon, right next to the Joshua Tree souvenir shop, is one such spot. I also like Frontier Cafe and Pappy and Harriet’s. I really recommend buying from the local businesses if you can!

Some other classic must dos in Joshua Tree are the Farmers Market, the swap meet, the sound baths, or the many children’s playgrounds all around the area. Air BnBs are a huge part of the town as well. Joshua Tree is really for those who want to relax, get in tune with nature, and leave the world behind for a while.

If you do come visit, please treat Joshua Tree with kindness and respect the locals who love it enough to take care of it for the long run. The ecosystem is fragile but so very special. There is really nowhere like this wonderful place, and I hope you can see the beauty in it if you go!

I used to wish that I could be anywhere else, but now that I don’t live there anymore, I just can’t wait to go back home to Joshua Tree.

 

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In My LA Era: I had the Time of My Life ⟩
July 3, 2025, by Trinity

Living in LA

Hey all! Today I will be talking about life in Los Angeles! Coming to USC and the LA area from a small town was pretty daunting. There are less people in my hometown than there are students enrolled at USC! Although I am still close to home, just about two and a half hours away, the difference between Joshua Tree and Los Angeles is vast! They are both in California, but that is where the similarities end. While Joshua Tree is still my first home, Los Angeles has become my home away from home!

LA is AMAZING! The rich history and cultural diversity in addition to the sheer number of activities here make LA a one of a kind place. I have been here more than four years, and I have barely scratched the surface of activities to do here. Still, I wanted to provide some highlights of my favorite things I have done here. I am not a travel blogger or a trip advisor, so I encourage you to do your own research.

To preface, I am a BS-OTD student, so I got my undergraduate degree at USC. I am now getting my graduate degree here too. That is how I have gotten to do so many great things here! During my Freshman year, I got to go on an art tour led by a street artist. LA has some of the most beautiful street art ever including this piece: (Unfortunately, I do not know who painted this. I also took this photo, and photography is NOT one of my occupations. Sorry!!)

On that same adventure, which I did with other awesome OT students, I also went to Urth Caffe for the first time. The food was delicious!

One of the great things about being at USC is that we are right by the LA Metro (at the main campus! The health science campus is different). I ride the Metro, specifically the E-Line right to Santa Monica to hang out on the pier and enjoy the beach vibes. There are also so many other beaches nearby! Of course, in the spirit of honesty, everything in the LA area takes at least 20-30 minutes to get to by car and a bit longer on the train or bus. USC does offer a shuttle right to Marina Del Rey, though, which could be a good option to get to some of the other beaches. Check this link for more information!

USC also has a regular shuttle to LA Union Station from the main campus and the health science campus, and from there, you can get anywhere. I know I was planning on only talking about things in LA, not things to do away from here, but I have to talk about Disneyland. I am a huge Disney fan, and from Union Station, I can get to Disneyland via the train! I regularly go, and while it is not in LA (it is in Anaheim, and people will get upset if you claim Orange County is LA), it is one of my favorite places!

OKAY… Now back to LA. I swear there is more. Griffith Observatory is a must, even if it is really touristy. There are some great hiking options from there. I did not even know there were hikes in LA until I came here. There are also great hikes near the Hollywood sign for everyone with all skill levels. (Remember what I said about my photography skills or lack thereof.)

LA has great shopping and dining, including at Century City (near Universal Studios) and at the Grove. Since I am very food motivated, I recommend Voodoo Doughnuts at Citywalk (they have a location in Melrose now, too!).

I can’t forget Dodgers stadium! There is a shuttle from Union Station that takes you right to the stadium. The games are electric!

One of my favorite things to do here is explore different museums! There are fun ones near the Walk of Fame, but my favorite ones are actually close to USC. Just a quick train ride away is The Broad. Hosting really cool modern art, The Broad is iconic on social media.

I also like the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum, and the California African American Museum. You can walk to all of these from USC’s main campus in less than 15 minutes, and all of them have free admission to the main exhibits for USC students! There is a path through the Rose Garden, another LA beauty super close to USC. (Bones the TV show was filmed here, irrelevant but fun). A few years ago, the California Science Center had the coolest exhibition ever: Lego Art! (I am a Lego nerd!)

Beyond just LA, USC offers a wide variety of fun activities, which I talked about in my last blog. This includes sporting events, plays, dance recitals, showcases, residential hall activities, and of course the iconic LA Times Festival of Books. Something fun happens almost everyday all mainly within the bounds of campus!

Los Angeles is a wonderful place to explore! I am excited to see even more in my last year here! If you have any suggestions for me, I would love to hear them. There is always joy in the journey!

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