OTSC 2012-2013 Candidate Bios

Second Year Students

Please review the candidate bios before casting your votes.
The link to the voting ballot can be found at the bottom of the page.

 

OTAC Representative

 

 

Erin O'Donnell

My name is Erin O'Donnell and I am running to be your OTAC Representative for the 2012/2013 school year. During our first year, I enjoyed becoming more involved with OTAC and grew to better understand the benefits and importance of being a member of our state association. I joined the Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee and have been working hard to advocate for our profession and all the wonderful work that OTs do! I am honored that my proposal to present on the use of tablet computers was accepted and I will be speaking at this year's annual OTAC conference in October. I would value the opportunity to represent our class and serve as liaison between USC and OTAC. Thank you for considering me as a candidate for this position!










Tara Perry

Greetings OT Trojans,

I am asking for your vote for the position of Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) Liaison. I am committed to understanding the forces that shape our state and national agenda and learn how public policy continually influences the viability of our OT community.

I strongly believe in the work of our state professional association accomplishments. It’s true- I’m an OTAC fan!... and I hope you will be too soon.

Local state political agendas are just as important as federal policy making when it comes to shaping the future of occupational therapy. OTAC is our local voice and watchdog organization influencing state licensure guidelines, meeting with local politicians and advocating for reimbursable services. I wish to bring more awareness of state issues OTAC is organizing on our behalf and solicit your participation when we students are needed to effect policy changes.  Here’s to empowering our futures!

Thank you, for your consideration. Fight On!  Peace, Love, & OT.

Bio:

2011-2012 OTSC International Relations Representative- Organized ‘International Forum’ Event, ‘Soiree in LA’ Planning Committee; participated in various planning initiatives for student social gathers (such as ‘content beverage hour’);  OTAC Member since October 2010; AOTA member since September 2011; Prior to USC: 1 year of project management experience for the City of Los Angeles; 6.5 years of recruiting for a private firm serving the legal industry.

 

 

Max Swider

Hello students and faculty, my name is Maximilian Swider and I am running for the OTAC Liaison position as a part of the Occupational Therapy and Science Council. I bring to the table terrific liaison experience! As Executive Talent Liaison for Tommy’s Place, the newest performance venue on University Park Campus, I have hired, trained and currently manage/schedule fourteen student-worker employees. My role as Executive Talent Liaison requires me to articulate the concerns of student-worker employees to full time staff members and in return, express the work performance expectations staff members have for student employees.  During my office hours I constantly email, text and call so that no staff or student’s needs go unmet. On performance nights at Tommy’s Place, I communicate with tech staff, performing artists, the bar staff, and DPS officers to ensure that performances run in an efficient and timely manner so that patrons have a fun and safe entertainment experience. Those who have shared cohort classes with me know that I speak up on the class’ behalf when professors ask questions that may make us feel uncomfortable. In addition, I raise my voice when teachers have missed a raised hand in class so that student gets a chance to speak. If elected to the position of OTAC Liaison, I will apply the hard work ethic and communication skills I have learned by representing the needs and concerns of our student body to the state association.  Thank you and FIGHT ON!

 

 

Sepi Termechi

My name is Sepi Termechi and I would love to be a part of OTSC! I have had a lot of experience working with campus organizations throughout my academic career, and would like to continue to do so.

As secretary of Anteaters for Israel at UC Irvine, I planned many weeklong events, engaging hundreds of students and faculty members to participate in campus activities. As the communications liaison for Hillel, I coordinated outreach efforts throughout school and with nearby colleges. In doing so, I was afforded the opportunity to discuss and learn from my network of peers. Finally, as a campus representative I served as an ambassador for my school. My various roles in extracurricular have shaped my ability to better communicate with others, whether it is with fellow classmates or faculty members.

I would like to run for OTAC representative to better connect students with members of the occupational therapy community. As OTAC representative, I would highlight important events throughout the area and motivate students to get involved and learn from established occupational therapists. My position as a co-chair of the OT/PT forum would be a great supplement to my role as OTAC representative, as I would also be able to reach out to physical therapy students and foster a more dynamic and cohesive relationship on campus.

 USC is ranked as the best school for occupational therapy and occupational science, and I would like to emphasize this unique advantage among students.

 

Philanthropy/Community Service Chair 

 

Paula Dreifuerst

Hey future OTs! For those of you who don’t know me yet, my name is Paula Dreifuerst. I believe in many things but mostly I believe that many aspects of life are defined by what and how you give. For this reason, I am interested in becoming the OTSC Philanthropy/Community Service Chair. For several years, I have had invaluable experience as the leader of a volunteer group with the American Cancer Society in which I was responsible for organizing events for my undergraduate campus and multiple communities. Doing volunteer work with the American Cancer Society and other organizations has taught me so much about my character and my drives. I see the need here in Los Angeles and I want to help our division and our profession become more involved in the wellness of the community. I am sure that you have all heard the proverb, “where there’s a will, there’s a way”. We have so many opportunities to get involved, and I hope to find the opportunities which interest you most. My goal is to establish a project within the community which our student body and faculty can collaborate on and become devoted to. As occupational therapists, we aim to empower our clients, so let’s empower the community and make our chosen profession known beyond just its standard definition. I appreciate your vote and your enthusiasm in becoming more involved. Thanks for your time!

Professional Development Chair

International Relations Chair

Secretary

GSG Senator

 

CLICK HERE FOR VOTING LINK