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
Doctor of Physical Therapy, A.T Still University of Health Sciences
Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Texas State University
Bachelor of Science in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery, University of Bombay
Research Interests
Cardiopulmonary Disorders
Autoimmune disorders
Geriatric Health
Germaine Ferreira joined the university of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as a full-time instructor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2016. She was promoted to Assistant professor in January 2019. Dr. Ferreira earned her Bachelor of Science in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery from the University of Bombay in 1993 and worked as a Homoeopathic Physician in Bombay prior to migrating to the United States of America. Dr. Ferreira received her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas State University in 1998. She completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2010 at A.T Still University of Health Sciences.
Prior to full-time status, she was a Director of Rehabilitation for 9 years for Senior Rehab Solutions and Assista Corporation in Austin. She served as a clinical Instructor for DPT and PTA students in Austin.
Throughout her career she has worked in the inpatient rehab, outpatient, long term acute care, SNF, and acute care settings with primary focus on geriatrics.
Dr. Ferreira’s academic teaching experience includes topics in physiology, pathophysiology and cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy to physical therapy students at USAHS Austin Campus’ DPT program.
She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
