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
BS, Boston University
MHS, University of Indianapolis
PhD, Touro University International
Research Interests
DPT Program Outcomes
Areas of Expertise
ResearchEthicsBiophysical agents
Ellen Lowe brings 45 years of physical therapy experience to USAHS. She graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. She earned her M.H.S. from the University of lndianapolis with an emphasis on orthopedics. She earned her Ph.D. in International Health from Touro University International. She received her Fellowship in Educational Leadership from the American Physical Therapy Association Educational Leadership Institute. Dr. Lowe has practiced in a variety of settings including acute care, home health, hand therapy, outpatient sports and orthopedics, skilled nursing, and the public school setting. She has been in physical therapy education for 20 years in both faculty and administrative settings. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Arizona Chapter of the APTA. She currently represents Arizona as a delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. She serves as a CEU reviewer for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
