Faculty and Clinical Faculty - Occupational Therapy | School of Allied Health Professions

Faculty

Praveen Injeti, MA, MFT, OTD, OT

Occupational Therapy Department Chair, Assistant Professor

Dr. Praveen Injeti serves as Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Injeti received his bachelor’s education as an occupational therapist at Loma Linda University in 1999. He then obtained a Master of Art degree in Psychology with focus in Marriage and Family Therapy. In 2021, he completed his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University.

Heather Javaherian-Dysinger, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Program Director - EOTD, Professor

Dr. Javaherian has been practicing in occupational therapy for nearly 20 years. In 2004 she received her doctorate in occupational therapy with a focus in domestic violence from Creighton University. Dr. Javaherian is currently a Professor and Program Director of the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Loma Linda University. Her teaching emphasis involves research, evidence-based practice, education, community program development, and health promotion.

Julie Kugel, OTD, OTR/L

Program Director, Professor - PPOTD, Capstone Coordinator - EOTD

Dr. Kugel graduated with her master’s degree in 2006 and continues to enjoy an amazing journey as an occupational therapist and educator. Dr. Kugel has worked in a variety of settings including acute care, in-patient rehab, out-patient hand therapy, and out-patient pediatrics before settling into school-based practice where stayed for over 7 years.

Arezou Salamat, OTD, OTR/L

Program Director - MOT Bridge and Associate Professor

Dr. Salamat completed her doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Loma Linda University with an emphasis on addressing the needs of children in foster care in collaboration with the Department of Child and Family Services in San Bernardino County. She is certified in infant massage, sensory integration, and extensive experience infant NDT and addressing the needs of children who experienced early childhood trauma.

Jonnie Galvin, MOT, OTR/L

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator - MOT Bridge

Jonnie Galvan obtained a Bachelors of Science in Business and Management from the University of Redlands and worked in management, employee development, and HR. She held a passion for helping at-risk populations though volunteer and disaster relief work by coming alongside others to rebuild the broken places left in the wake of hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, Joplin tornado, and the 2010 hurricane in Haiti.

Shane Gemoto, OTD, OTR/L

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Assistant Professor- EOTD

Shane Jorwin Gemoto received his BS in Biology at Canadian University College (Burman University) in 2008. He completed his MS and OTD in Occupational Therapy at Loma Linda University (LLU) in 2011 and 2017. While studying at LLU, he went on mission trips to Mexico, Honduras, and Haiti. Dr. Gemoto primarily worked as a mental health occupational therapist in inpatient and outpatient settings at the Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center.

Mariem Metry, OTR/L, CHT

Assistant Professor, EOTD

Mariem Metry is clinical coordinator in the Casa Colina Hand Therapy Program. She graduated summa cum laude from Loma Linda University in 2012 with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy, and she became a Certified Hand Therapist in 2017. Mariem is currently pursuing her PhD in Rehabilitation Science at Loma Linda University. She is a proud first-generation immigrant from the Middle East and enjoys spending time with family, community service, painting, and woodworking.

Sharon Pavlovich, EdD, MAM, COTA/L

Assistant Professor- EOTD

Sharon Pavlovich received her doctorate at USC’s Rossier School of Education. She has a Master’s degree in Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Art, and an Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy.

Delilah DeBellis OTD, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty

Dr. DeBellis earned her Master's and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Loma Linda University. Dr. DeBellis has experience working in a variety of settings and populations, such as acute, inpatient care, NICU, ICU, neurology, orthopedic, and cardiology. She is certified in neonatal touch and massage. Her doctoral work is focused on promoting equality and awareness of occupational therapy’s role in those experiencing homelessness.

Will Hardy, MOT, OTR/L - EOTD

Clinical Faculty

Will Hardy is a practicing occupational therapist who started his own business in 2023. His business, Schooling Fish Therapies LLC is a staffing agency that provides quality therapists to local school districts. Will has a passion for business and he is excited to share his expertise with like-minded individuals.

Erica Herrera, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CHT

Clinical Faculty- MOT Bridge

Dr. Erica Herrera is an occupational therapist who specializes in hand therapy as a certified hand therapist. She completed her undergraduate work at California state polytechnic University of Pomona in the field of Biological Sciences. She further went on to pursue her master’s degree from Loma Linda University and Occupational therapy doctorate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Promotions.

Dragana Krpalek, PhD, OTR/L

Associate Professor

Dr. Krpalek is passionate about occupational therapy and contributing to the profession through research and training of students. She graduated as a Doctor in Philosophy in 2012 from the University of Queensland, Australia. Since then her appreciation and love for research has continued to grow. Dr. Krpalek's clinical and research interests are in lifestyle medicine and she coordinates research courses for the program.

Sydney Lau, MOT, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty

Sydney earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, and went on to complete her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Loma Linda University in 2021. Sydney's passion for pediatrics led her to her current role as the Lead Occupational Therapist at Thrive Pediatrics.

Yasmin Martinez-Pereira, MOT, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty

Yasmin Martinez-Pereira, MOT, OTR/L is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist with a deep passion for helping others. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from California State University, Northridge in 2006, and later completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University in 2017.

Rocky Pang, MOT, OTR/L - EOTD

Clinical Faculty

Rocky Pang is an alumni of Loma Linda University in 2017. He is a diversified OT experienced in many settings such as acute rehab and neuro outpatient clinic. He enjoys networking and collaborating with other experts in the rehab field to further the development of the Occupational Therapy profession.

Aaron Weis OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty- EOTD

Dr. Weis received his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University in 2017. Dr. Weis has been practicing occupation therapy since 2014 and enjoys working in the home health and acute rehab settings. His doctoral work focused on substance overdose and loss of life. He has presented and published on his topic. Dr. Weis enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Staff

Leticia Guerrero

Program Manager

Leticia has been with Loma Linda University since 2016 and joined the Department of Occupational Therapy in August 2020. As Program Manager, she provides comprehensive administrative support to the Department Chair, Program Director, faculty, staff, and students. She also plays a key role in guiding prospective students through the application process and supporting their transition into the LLU community. With over 12 years of experience in business and accounting, Leticia brings a strong operational background to her role. She has also contributed to the academic mission of the department by assisting in teaching business and leadership courses within the OT program. Leticia holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Redlands. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, hiking, gardening, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.