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

Faculty

Liane Hewitt, DrPH, CHES, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy Department Chair, Associate Professor

Dr. Hewitt serves as the Chairperson of the Department of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Hewitt began her professional career at Loma Linda University Medical Center where she worked in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. Her specialty area was neurorehabilitation 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.

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

Program Director - MOT, Associate 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 an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Master’s of Occupational Therapy Program at Loma Linda University. Her teaching emphasis involves research, evidence-based practice, education, community program development, and health promotion.

Penny Stack, OTD, OTR/L, CLT

Capstone Coordinator

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.

Heather Roese, OTD, OTR/L

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

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.

Praveen Injeti, MA, MFT, OTD, OT/L

Capstone Coordinator

Dr. Injeti received his bachelor’s education as an occupational therapist at Loma Linda University in 1999. He then obtained a degree in a Master of Art in Psychology with focus in Marriage and Family Therapy. In 2021 he completed his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University. Dr. Injeti has worked in various settings such as long-term care, the jail system treating psychiatric patients, and in-patient behavioral health settings as well as home health which nurtured his growth as a clinician.

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.

Julie Kugel, OTD, OTR/L

Program Director - OTD

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.

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

Assistant 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Staff

Leticia Guerrero

Administrative Assistant

Leticia joined the Occupation Therapy Department in August of 2020 as the Administrative Secretary and has been employed with the University since 2016. Her primary duty is administrative support to Department Chair, Director, Faculty, Staff and Students. Leticia is currently attending University of Redlands to obtain a degree in Business. During her free time, Leticia enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids. She also enjoys photography, hiking, gardening and taking road trips.

Candace McCain-Whitaker

Administrative Assistant

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.