Gabriella Amaya’s passion for occupational therapy stems not simply from a deep desire to be of service to others. “It’s about building and regaining people's independence by doing the things they love most and need to do,” she says. “I have so much drive for doing the best I can in my own life. I want to help my future patients do the same and to live to their fullest capacity, no matter what their circumstances might be.” Amaya grew up in North Hollywood, Calif., but moved to Palmdale in her senior year of high school. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, in 2021 with a degree in child development. She’s currently in the second year of CSUDH’s graduate program ... Read More
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Student Wins 2023 CSU Trustees’ Award
Krystal Lopez is pursuing an advanced degree in occupational therapy (OT) for one simple reason. "I want to help people," she says. "A lot of us don't realize how much we take the things that we're able to do for granted, until we're no longer able to do them," Lopez continues. "Being able to help people regain their independence, become happier, and have a better life overall—that's what really inspires me." Born and raised in Santa Ana, Calif., Lopez is an OT graduate student at CSUDH. After graduating from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and social behavior, she decided to transition over to OT studies for her graduate work. ... Read More
CSUDH Launches First Doctoral Program
Seventeen students embarked this summer term on an academic journey that no other Toro has yet made. They represent the inaugural student cohort of CSUDH's Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program–the first doctoral program offered in the university's more than 60-year history. President Thomas A. Parham welcomed the students during an orientation event on May 15 at the Loker Student Union ballroom and applauded their decision to break new ground for generations of students to follow. “Go into your studies knowing that what you're doing is significant and worthwhile and makes an enormous difference. Go into it knowing that your institution could not be prouder of you,” Parham said. ... Read More
Daily Breeze: Cal State Dominguez Hills Receives $700k in Funding
Source: Daily Breeze The Cal State Dominguez Hills nursing and occupational therapy training facilities will receive some serious upgrades thanks to a chunk of federal funding Rep. Nanette Diaz-Barragán helped secure. The Democratic congresswoman, whose district includes Dominguez Hills, visited the university's campus, near Carson, on Wednesday, May 4, to present the $700,000 in federal money that will help improve the training laboratory at the College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing. Diaz-Barragán requested the funds through the recently passed congressional spending package, according to a CSUDH press release. “This is about you,” Diaz-Barragán said to students during ... Read More
Nursing, OT Skills Labs Receive Federal Appropriations for Upgrades
On May 4, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-44th) presented a check for $700,000 to California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) students, faculty, and staff for much-needed upgrades to the College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing facilities. The special community project funding, which came from the House Appropriations Committee, was requested by Barragán. Originally set for $691,680, the amount was rounded up by the committee to $700,000–something that rarely happens, Barragán noted. "This is about you," Barragán said to the gathered students from the university's Occupational Therapy program. "With upgraded clinical laboratory equipment, the students at the CSUDH ... Read More
