USC OS/OT News and Events USC OS/OT News and Events:News and Events from USC Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy 2012-05-14T13:30:33Z Copyright (c) 2012, Mike McNulty ExpressionEngine tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:05:10 Faculty Member to Present at NeuroTrauma 2012 Symposium tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1722 2012-05-10T16:25:32Z 2012-05-14T13:30:33Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu Division faculty member Samia Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, assistant professor of clinical occupational therapy, will be featured at the upcoming symposium NeuroTrauma 2012: How to Talk About Brain and Spinal Cord Injury with Patients and Families.

Dr. Rafeedie will specifically cover the topic of “Reintegration,” answering questions such as What are the challenges the TBI victim and families face rejoining family, workplace, school, etc.? and What can family members do to help the TBI victim reintegrate?

The event is free with RSVP.

Details
NeuroTrauma 2012: How to Talk About Brain and Spinal Cord Injury with Patients and Families
Date: Saturday, June 9, 2012
Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location:  Los Angeles County General Hospital (Conference Room A)
Contact:  Peter Gruen MD (Neurosurgery)
Cost:  Symposium and Parking FREE
Registration:  Please email or fax completed form to:
RSVP:  jpgruen@usc.edu or iortiz@usc.edu  323.226.7421 (phone)  / 323.226.7833 (fax)

]]> USC Trojans Shine at 92nd AOTA Conference tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1709 2012-05-01T15:04:45Z 2012-05-01T10:17:46Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu Division Associate Dean and current American Occupational Therapy Association President Florence Clark, PhD (‘82), OTR/L, FAOTA, presided over the 92nd annual AOTA conference, April 26-29, in Indianapolis, Ind. Conference highlights included a rousing Opening Ceremony, Clark’s Presidential Address entitled “Beyond High Definition: Attitude and Evidence Bringing OT in HD-3D,” a highly interactive Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture from Dr. Karen Jacobs, and a Plenary Session featuring U.S. Army veterans Tammy Duckworth and Jessica Lynch.

Congratulations also to the over 50 Trojan students, alumni, and faculty who presented various workshops, courses, and research posters!

Read more about the event at USC News Florence Clark Shines in National Spotlight.

]]> Occupational Therapy Named a CareerCast.com “10 Best Jobs of 2012” tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1674 2012-04-16T20:07:51Z 2012-04-16T15:12:52Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu Read more at CareerCast 10 Best Jobs of 2012 and at the Wall Street Journal Best and Worst Jobs of 2012.

]]> Division “Lights It Up Blue” for World Autism Awareness Day tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1656 2012-04-02T03:54:09Z 2012-04-05T16:43:11Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu On April 2, the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy homepage “lights it up blue” in celebration of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). The goal of WAAD is to bring the world’s attention to autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), neurodevelopmental disorders recently estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to affect 1 in 88 children—a 1000 percent increase in the past 40 years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.

Light It Up Blue, now in its third year, is a unique global initiative by Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism advocacy organization, to help raise awareness about the growing public health concern that is autism. Iconic landmarks around the world will Light It Up Blue to show their support on April 2, 2012.

The USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy has previously partnered with Autism Speaks to offer an Innovative Technology for Autism Spectrum Disorders course instructed by Olga Solomon, PhD, assistant professor.

Division programming concerning autism and ASD include Sensory Adapted Dental Environments research, advanced training in sensory integration theory and intervention, and the Sensory Integration, Engagement and Family Life Initiative recently announced at the 2012 Occupational Science Symposium: Autism in Everyday Life.

Autism Speaks U USC will also shine a light on autism with events throughout the day. Free treats are available from 10am-2pm on Trousdale Parkway to everyone who wears blue in support of autism. The club will also be providing information about the 10th Annual LA Walk for Autism and Autism Resource Fair, as well as other information about autism. Starting at 7pm, USC’s iconic VKC Globe will also be lit blue in support of autism! Lear more about Autism Speaks U USC’s plans for the day on their Facebook event page.

The focus of Occupational Therapy services with individuals with autism and ASD includes enhancing participation in the performance of activities of daily living (e.g., feeding, dressing), instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., community mobility, safety procedures), education, work, leisure, play, and social participation. For an individual with an ASD, occupational therapy services are defined according to the person’s needs and desired goals and priorities for participation. Learn more about occupational therapy’s role with autism by visiting American Occupational Therapy Association Autism Resources.

]]> Faculty Leaders Chair Occupational Science Summit tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1654 2012-03-30T14:03:15Z 2012-03-30T09:10:17Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu On March 11, nearly 80 scientists and researchers attended the first occupational science summit in St. Louis, Missouri, which was co-sponsored by the University of Southern California. Florence Clark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, associate dean and professor, and current president of the American Occupational Therapy Association, chaired the summit’s neurorehabilitation and neuroscience group, while Mary Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, professor and director of research, led the pediatrics working group.

Read more about the event at AOTA News’ Occupational Science Summit: Bringing Together The Profession’s Scientists.

]]> Rodney Peete highlights 23rd Occupational Science Symposium tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1637 2012-03-16T16:12:49Z 2012-03-16T11:14:51Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu Hundreds of faculty members, students, alumni and community partners gathered on March 9 at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center for the 23rd Occupational Science Symposium hosted by the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Read more about the event on USC News: Autism Symposium Highlighted by Personal Experiences. See you at the 2013 Symposium!

]]> U.S. News Ranks USC #1 Program in the Nation tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1633 2012-03-13T18:26:30Z 2012-03-26T17:15:32Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu U.S. News & World Report, the industry leader in educational program rankings, has released their 2013 graduate school rankings, with the University of Southern California occupational therapy educational program ranked as the best program in the nation! USC has now been ranked by U.S. News as the top occupational therapy educational program in the country more times than any other university or college. View the entire list at Best Occupational Therapy Programs — U.S. News. Fight On Trojans!

]]> Huffington Post Features Lisa Aziz-Zadeh’s Creativity Research tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1631 2012-03-08T15:58:29Z 2012-03-08T10:18:31Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu The work of Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, PhD, assistant professor of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy co-appointed to the Brain and Creativity Institute at the USC David and Dana Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, which was recently published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, was also featured in the Health Living section of the Huffington Post. The journal article, “Exploring the Neural Correlates of Visual Creativity,” was co-authored by Occupational Science PhD candidate Sook-Lei Liew, MA (‘08), OTR/L.

Read the review on the Huffington Post at Left Brain Hemisphere Also Plays Big Part In Creative Thinking, Study Shows and access the research article at Oxford Journals - Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

]]> U.S. News Names Occupational Therapist to “Best Jobs 2012” tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1624 2012-02-28T15:57:44Z 2012-02-28T10:01:46Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu U.S. News & World Report names Occupational Therapist as a Best Jobs 2012, with an emphasis on the profession’s significant growth outlook over the next decade. Fight On, Occupational Therapists!

]]> Division Push Makes Hospital Pet Therapy Program Reality tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1622 2012-02-27T17:49:27Z 2012-02-27T15:00:29Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu Spurred by the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy’s initial requests to incorporate a pet therapy program, the Keck Medical Center of USC hospitals recently launched a Pet Therapy Program to bring certified therapy animals to visit with patients staying in the hospitals. Read more about the program at USC News Hospital Program Cheers Patients With Pooch Power.

]]> Florence Clark Offers “Professional Help” on theAtlantic.com tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1596 2012-02-16T20:33:53Z 2012-02-16T14:38:55Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu Florence Clark, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, is featured on theAtlantic.com, the website for The Atlantic magazine, in a section called “Professional Help” in which scientists and health experts offer simple tips for real-world circumstances. Read Dr. Clark’s lifestyle tips for successful aging for seniors, most of which are based on the groundbreaking USC Well Elderly Studies, online at Professional Help: 5 Tips for Senior Citizens on Simple, Healthy Living.

]]> Blanche and PUPS team research in OT Practice tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1577 2012-02-07T16:33:58Z 2012-02-07T10:49:04Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu The latest issue of OT Practice‘s Research Update features the USC Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Spinal Cord Injury (PUPS) research article Manualization of Occupational Therapy Interventions: Illustrations From the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Research Program. Erna Blanche, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, associate professor of clinical occupational therapy, is the lead author of the article which was published in the November/December 2011 of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Learn more about the USC Lifestyle Redesign® for Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Spinal Cord Injury research project.

]]> COMMENCEMENT 2012 tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1564 2012-01-27T15:19:46Z 2012-04-18T14:42:48Z Jackie Mardirossian jmardiro@usc.edu Friday, May 11, 2012

Main USC Ceremony
Students line up: 8 a.m., column C (see map)
Processional: 8:30 a.m.
Ceremony: 9:00 a.m.
Degree candidates line up for the main ceremony at 8:00 a.m. at column C (see map on the USC Commencement Web site).  The processional will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the ceremony starting at 9:00 a.m.  After the main ceremony is over, please head directly to the lawn west of Leavey Library.  Candidates will line-up according to degree.

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Satellite Commencement Ceremony
Arrive no later than 10:30 a.m.
Ceremony: 10:45 a.m., Lawn West of Leavey Library
Reception Follows
Speaker: Ronnie C. Chan

The Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Satellite Commencement Ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m. on the lawn west of Leavey Library.  If you are not attending the main ceremony, please arrive at this site no later than 10:15 a.m.  Seating is on a first-come basis beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Seats cannot be saved after 10:30 a.m. — all unoccupied seats must be released for other guests at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will end around 12:00 p.m.  Immediately following, there will be a reception for you and your guests at the Davidson Conference Center.

Cap & Gown
If you do not order your regalia at the Grad Fair in February, the ordering/measurement/distribution of the regalia will take place in the University Bookstore, 3rd Floor, beginning April 25 through May 11.
• Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rental charges for academic regalia must be paid at the time of placing your order.  Charges are as follows (reflects prices for 2011, subject to change for 2012):
• Bachelor’s Degree (Cap and Gown only) $49.99
• Master’s Degree (Cap, Gown and Hood) $69.99
• Doctoral Degree (Cap, Gown and Hood) $74.99

A tassel for the cap comes with the rental that can be kept as a souvenir.  Graduate students: please note the color of your hood while ordering regalia.
• MA: White  
• OTD: Rhodes Blue (a.k.a. Slate Blue) 
• Ph.D.: Dark Blue
Regalia_color_key.pdf

Guests With Disabilities
Please visit the USC Commencement website for information regarding parking or seating.  If you have a guest attending the ceremony who requires special accomodations (e.g. in a wheelchair), please email jmardiro@usc.edu.

Parking
Parking on campus is free on Commencement day, but spaces fill up quickly.  Additional parking is available at the Parking Center located on the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Grand Avenue.  Trams will be available to take guests from the Parking Center to the main ceremony.  For more information: click here.

University Commencement Web site
http://www.usc.edu/commencement

]]> TREET Postdoc Fellow in OT Practice Q&A tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1519 2012-01-24T16:03:36Z 2012-01-24T10:09:37Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu Stefanie Bodison, OTD, OTR/L, C/NDT, (OTD ‘10, MA ‘93, BS ‘92), a current USC Training in Rehabilitation Efficacy and Effectiveness Trials postdoctoral fellow, is featured in the latest issue of OT Practice answering questions about Ayres Sensory Integration. Read her insights at Using AOTA Resources to Inform Parents, Educators, and School Administrators About Ayres Sensory Integration® and learn more about the TREET postdoctoral training program at treet.usc.edu.

]]> Expert Lectures on Multisensory Integration tag:ot.usc.edu,2012:about-us/news-and-events/30.1518 2012-01-24T00:11:34Z 2012-01-23T18:13:36Z Mike McNulty mmcnulty@usc.edu On Friday, January 13, in conjunction with USC’s Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, the Division hosted Mark Wallace, PhD, Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, and Professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, for his seminar entitled “Sensory and Multisensory Integration in Autism.”

Read the article on USC News online Expert Lectures on Multisensory Integration.

Archived webcast of the lecture is available at ZNI Seminars.

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