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 in Physical Therapy, Londrina State University
MS in Physiology, UNICAMP - Campinas State University
PhD in Rehabilitation Science, KUMC - University of Kansas Med Center
Post-Doctorate in Movement Science/Motor Control, UIC - University of Illinois at Chicago
Research Interests
Postural Control
Gait
Precision Grip Force Control
Areas of Expertise
BiomechanicsMusculoskeletal Physical TherapyMotor Control
Marcio dos Santos jointed to the USAHS faculty team in Miami as an Associate Professor on August 05 of 2019. He graduated in Physical Therapy and obtained his Master of Science in Human Physiology in Brazil. Upon obtaining a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Dr dos Santos worked as a postdoctoral research associate for nearly three years in the Movement Science laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He served as an Assistant Professor and researcher to the Departments of Physical Therapy of the Santa Catarina State University, SC, Brazil and University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, US. Dr. dos Santos has a long term higher scholarly activity by teaching diversified courses and mentoring several bachelors, Master of Science, doctorate and PhD students, developing research and producing scientific knowledge. He is a recipient of a couple of research grants and has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles in the physical therapy, biomechanics, and motor control fields. He also has been serving as a peer reviewer for high impact scientific journals including but not limited to Experimental Brain Research, Gait and Posture and Clinical Biomechanics. Dr. dos Santos has extensive clinical experience using a broad range of manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises for restoring movement and mitigating disabilities of patients with orthopedic and neurological conditions. Dr. dos Santos worked as a physical therapist (PT) and manager in two large institutions in Brazil for several years and as a Physical Therapist in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic in Orlando area, Florida. At the USAHS, he is currently the leader instructor of the Differential Diagnosis course and lab instructor of the Gross Anatomy I, Biophysical Agents and musculoskeletal III (spine) courses.
