Occupational Therapy Faculty and Staff

Occupational Therapy Department Chair, Associate Professor

Hello, my name is Dr. Liane Hewitt. I have the privilege of being the Department of Occupational Therapy chairperson and working with a phenomenal team of OT colleagues. My professional career started at Loma Linda University Medical Center where I worked on acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. My specialty area was neurorehabilitation and what wonderful patients and families I met while working there.

 

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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.

 

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Program Director - OTD

I have been an occupational therapist for the past 12 years, and it really has been an amazing journey!  I worked in a variety of settings included acute care, in-patient rehab, out-patient hand therapy, and out-patient pediatrics before settling into school based practice where I stayed for over 7 years.  During this time, I went back to school for my clinical doctorate at Loma Linda University.

 

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Fieldwork Coordinator, Assistant Professor

My name is Professor Aaron Moesser and I am the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the MOT program. My main practice area has been in pediatrics, primarily school based, which I did for 6 years prior to joining the faculty at Loma Linda University.

 

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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. 

 

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Assistant Professor

Douglas 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.

 

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Assistant 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 coordinates research courses for the Occupational Therapy Masters students.

 

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Assistant Professor

Contract Faculty

I have been an occupational therapist since 1999 and  have had the opportunity to work in various settings that have empowered my growth as a clinician. I received my education as an occupational therapist at Loma Linda University and further obtained a degree in Master of Art in Psychology with focus in Marriage and Family Therapy.

 

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Assistant Professor

Sharon Pavlovich is currently working on 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. Professor Pavlovich is currently the Vice President of the California Board of Occupational Therapy.

 

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