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
DPT - University of Miami
BS - Biology, Florida International University
BA - Psychology, Florida International University
Research Interests
Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Neurologic Rehabilitation
Graduate and Workplace Education
Areas of Expertise
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary PT
Christian Garcia, PT, DPT joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2017 as a contributing faculty on the Miami, FL campus. His main clinical and academic interests are within cardiopulmonary and neurological physical therapy. Dr. Garcia has presented original research at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting while in graduate school at the University of Miami.
Before then, he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University. Dr. Garcia received his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami. He received his Board Certification in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy in 2019. He is currently working on his Doctor of Education through the University of St. Augustine and continues to see patients as a physical therapist at West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital.
