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
Dr. Summer San Lucas received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree from Westmont College in 2001. She graduated from Loma Linda University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2005 and her Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy degree in 2012. She is an APTA board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy. Her ongoing clinical career has focused on outpatient pediatric and adult neurologic rehabilitation. She is certified in LSVT BIG therapy for patients with Parkinson’s Disease, trained in Neuro-IFRAH approach for patients with acquired and traumatic brain injury, Saebo for upper extremity rehabilitation post stroke, and is an APTA credentialed clinical instructor. She developed the Loma Linda University Health Parkinson’s Disease Community Support and Exercise Groups. She has given many professional conference lectures on the topic of neurologic rehabilitation. Prior to joining the University of St. Augustine, Dr. San Lucas held adjunct faculty positions at Loma Linda University teaching in the pediatric and adult neurology curricula of the DPT and PTA programs. She has published in peer reviewed journals. Dr. San Lucas was the 2014 recipient of the Loma Linda University Rising Star Alumni Award in Physical Therapy and the Spiritual Life and Wholeness Award.
