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
PhD in Physical Therapy, Texas Woman’s University
Master of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University
B.S. Health Science, Loma Linda University
Research Interests
Relationship between attention to task abilities and performance of motor skills
Gait analysis
Development of leadership skills for physical therapists
Fabian Bizama, PT, MPT, PhD is an assistant professor in the Flex DPT program in Austin, Texas. He teaches Pediatric Physical Therapy, Administration and Management, Biophysical Agents, and Patient Care Management III. He completed a dual degree and graduated with a baccalaureate degree in Health Science and a Masters in Physical Therapy in 2001 from Loma Linda University, in Loma Linda, California. He completed his PhD in Physical Therapy in 2015 at Texas Woman’s University in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Bizama began his career as a physical therapist providing services for young children in the Early Childhood Intervention setting. For more than 15 years of clinical experience, he has provided services in pediatric out-patient clinic and home health settings working with children of all ages. After accepting a promotion for a manager role, his career path included additional opportunities for leadership and administration. For the last several years, his work experience includes Director level positions where he has been responsible for leading therapists across disciplines to ensure delivery of quality services and meeting company’s financial and strategic goals. Dr. Bizama’s topics of scholarly inquiry include motor learning, attention to task, and the influence of distraction in performance of motor skills such as gait. In addition, he has collaborated with colleagues for studies including performance measures and gait variability in people with lower-limb amputation that have been presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Bizama has developed several continuing education courses for development of clinical skills, critical thinking, and professionalism.
