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 St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Research Interests
Human Performance
Areas of Expertise
OrthopedicsManual TherapyDry Needling
Dr. Garrett Mandel completed his bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2009. He attended the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) and received his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2013. After graduating, Dr. Mandel spent two years living and working in New Orleans, LA where he practiced at an outpatient physical therapy center while completing an orthopedic residency program. Dr. Mandel moved back to St. Augustine, FL in 2015 when he started working as a contributing faculty member for USAHS while seeing patients in an outpatient orthopedic clinic.
Dr. Mandel passed the Manual Therapy Certification in 2014 and the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist exam in 2017. In addition to teaching in the entry-level curriculum, Dr. Mandel teaches the E2 seminar course for continuing education. He has served in leadership positions within the St. Augustine, FL non-profit community, as well as regionally and statewide for the Florida Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Mandel spends time each year providing physical therapy services pro bono to individuals in underprivileged countries.
In January 2022, Dr. Mandel moved from a contributing faculty role at the University to a core member as an Instructor.
