At a key transition point in their studies, occupational therapy students across all USAHS campuses participate in a meaningful ritual, witnessed by family and friends. The OT pinning ceremony marks the end of the classroom portion of their studies and the beginning of their fieldwork. For Residential MOT and OTD students, this happens in their fourth term, and for Flex, in the seventh term.
A longstanding tradition in OT practice, the pin celebrates the diversity of practice areas, the client-centered nature of our practice and the values of our profession.
“It’s an opportunity for faculty to acknowledge our students’ transition from classroom learning to clinical learning,” says Mary Zadnik, ScD, MEd, OTR/L, director of the entry-level OT programs on Read more
USAHS focuses on providing the best and more appropriate academic and financial aid counseling throughout the admissions process. Whether applying to a first-professional, campus based program or a post-professional distance program, an assigned Enrollment Advisor is available to assist you from application to acceptance.
MS in Occupational Therapy, Western New Mexico University (COTA to MOT bridge program)
BS in Healthcare Administration, University of Phoenix
AS in Occupational Therapy, Amarillo College
Research Interests
Integrative/Classroom Therapy
Therapist and Educational Team Collaboration
Self-Regulation/Sensory Modulation
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Preventing Therapist Burnout
Areas of Expertise
PediatricsSchool-based Practice
Cat Daniel earned a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) from the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to MOT bridge program at Western New Mexico University. As a COTA, her areas of practice ranged from a private practice outpatient hand clinic, hospital setting (in acute, inpatient, outpatient and day program facility) at St. David’s Medical Center, skilled nursing facility and pediatric school-based practice. The bulk of Daniel’s practice has been as a civil servant in the public school system as a related service for 13 years, when she worked in two school districts in the Central Texas Region. She joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as contributing faculty in May 2021 and transitioned into full-time affiliated faculty on the Austin, TX campus in July 2021.