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 - PPOTD, Professor

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.

Shane Gemoto, OTD, OTR/L

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Assistant Professor

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.

Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L, CLT

Capstone Coordinator/Assistant Professor

Dr. Stack has been practicing occupational therapy for over 30 years. Throughout her career Dr. Stack has practiced in a variety of settings including community re-entry, acute care, post-acute, skilled nursing, home health, schools, inpatient and outpatient rehab, private practice and academia.

Liane Hewitt, DrPH, CHES, OTR/L

Associate Professor

Dr. Hewitt began her professional career at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where she worked in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. She served as Loma Linda University's Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy from 2000 to 2023. Her specialty area was neuro-rehabilitation where she was able to impact the lives of many patients and families. Over the span of her career Dr. Hewitt has worked in a variety of practice areas including home health, skilled nursing, schools and more recently in community-based practice areas.

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.

Sharon Pavlovich, EdD, MAM, COTA/L

Assistant Professor

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.

Douglas Rakoski, OTD, OTR/L, ATP

Assistant Professor

Dr. Rakoski, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, is an assistant professor and directs the Therapeutic Technology Program at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He has served as clinical specialist in assistive technology for the University of Michigan Health System managing the Computer Assisted Therapy Program.

Arezou Salamat, OTD, OTR/L

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

Clinical Faculty

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.

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

Clinical Faculty

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.

Joyce Khowdee, OTD, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Khowdee received both her Doctorate and Master of Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and obtained a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, CLAD. It was her interest in neurology and providing wholistic care that led her to occupational therapy. Dr. Khowdee has experience working in outpatient neurology and multidisciplinary clinics including those specializing in ALS/MND. She has multiple certifications including LSVT BIG, SAEBO certified, and is CCS paneled.

Mariem Metry, OTR/L, CHT

Clinical Faculty

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.

Fabiola Romano, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty

Fabiola Romano graduated from Loma Linda University's Master of Occupational Therapy program in 2019. She has diverse clinical experience including acute inpatient, orthopedic conditions, general medical conditions, and trauma-related injuries.

Heather Roese, OTD, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Roese received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University in 2014. She has also earned a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences.

Aaron Weis OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Clinical Faculty

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

Administrative Assistant

Leticia has been employed with LLU since 2016 and joined the Occupational Therapy Department in August of 2020 . Her primary duty is administrative support to Department Chair, Director, Faculty, Staff and Students. In addition, Leticia works closely with prospective students throughout the application process to help facilitate the transition from prospective student to potential Loma Linda University students. Leticia has earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Business from the University of Redlands. During her free time, Leticia enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids. She also enjoys photography, hiking, gardening and traveling.

Candace McCain-Whitaker

Administrative Secretary

Ms. Candace McCain Whitaker is the administrative assistant for the Department of Occupational Therapy. She has worked at Loma Linda for over 5 years. She joined the Department in 2021 and enjoys watching the students learn and grow into the career of their dreams. Candace enjoys reading, being outdoors and spending time with family.