Zipporah Brown, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CNS, DipACLM
College of Health Sciences
Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Post-Professional Advanced Clinical Track - 2018
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Practice Area of Emphasis: Psychosocial Rehabilitation
Residency Culmination: Community-based program development
DiversOT DEI organization: Co-Founder and President
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy - 2016
West Coast University- Center for Graduate Studies, Los Angeles, CA
Cohort Liaison of Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA)
Bachelor of Arts, Kinesiology - 2012
California State University of Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA
Associate of Arts, General Studies - 2009
Chaffey Community College, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional (DipACLM) - 2022
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Certificate #0000856
Issued: December 2022
Certified Neuro Specialist (CNS) 2020
The Neuro Specialist Institute, Issued: November 2020
Licensed Occupational Therapist - 2017
California Board of Occupational Therapy, License #OT17220
Issued: January 2017; Expires: 8/31/2023
Oregon Board of Occupational Therapy, License #377194
Issued: November 2021; Expires: 5/31/2024
Occupational Therapist Registered® (OTR) - 2017
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Certification #377194
Issued: January 2017; Expires 3/31/2026
Linn County Department of Health Services 2023-Present
Part-time, Inaugural Occupational Therapist
• Performs evaluation procedures and analyzes quantitative and qualitative assessment results
• Develops individual treatment plans; assesses patients’ progress; appropriately discharges patients’
upon completion of treatment
• Provides individual client-centered occupational therapy with an emphasis of occupational
engagement
• Develops and facilitates occupation-based, client-centered groups
• Provides education, technical assistance and consultation to other service providers as a member of
an interdisciplinary team
Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon OR 2021-Present
Founding Faculty, Assistant Professor
• Collaborated on the development of occupational therapy program mission, vision and philosophy
• Developed departmental communication framework for occupational therapy faculty and staff
• Curriculum development (for entry-level occupational therapy doctorate) in compliance with
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Curriculum designer (for occupational therapy and physical therapy students and faculty) integrating
American College of Lifestyle Medicine core competencies into entry level graduate programs
• Enhanced interprofessional education curriculum across colleges using trauma-informed pedagogy
• Leading organizer and facilitator for innovative community service opportunities in rural
communities
• Collaborated on the development of an intake form assessing lifestyle related behaviors to be used in
clinical education and patient treatment
• Facilitated the implementation of the Inaugural American College of Lifestyle Medicine Partial
Academic Pathway program for physical therapy entry-level graduate students
• Contributed to the development of marketing materials, community outreach and information
sessions for prospective students
Updated: May 2023
Umoja Community Education Foundation, Southern CA 2020
Independent Contractor, Mental Health Professional
• Provided 1:1 mental health support for students at statewide community college COVID-19 townhall
• Provided mental health support at regional community college workshop addressing the impact of
police brutality
• Delivered content addressing psychosocial dysfunction and introduced evidence-based coping
strategies for stress management
Options for Rehab Home Health, Rancho Cucamonga CA 2019-2021
Independent Contractor, Occupational Therapist
• Evaluated adults to provide integrated occupational therapy services for a variety of conditions (such
as: neurological, cardiac, respiratory and orthopedic conditions)
• Educated and trained patient caregivers and families in home programs and compensatory strategies to
promote continuum of care
• Provided recommendations and education related to adaptive equipment and assistive devices designed
to improve safety and engagement in patients home setting
West Coast University- Center for Graduate Studies, Los Angeles CA 2018-2021
Assistant Professor (2019-2021)
• Revised Entry-Level Occupational Therapy program curriculum for courses to incorporate
professionalism, efficient documentation, therapeutic communication, occupational justice and cultural
awareness in healthcare
• Designed experiential learning events in nontraditional emerging practice settings in order to increase
access to equitable care for marginalized communities
• Advised and supported MSOT and OTD students as they progressed throughout the program
• Mentored Entry-Level OTD student capstone projects focused on program development in community
based mental health settings
• Contributed to ACOTE accreditation for Entry-Level OTD program: self study, preparation of
materials, and site visit interviews; candidacy was approved and full accreditation was granted
• Collaborated with the Occupational Therapy Program Director and the Campus Executive Director to
recruit applicants from marginalized communities
• Worked with the Occupational Therapy Program Director and the Campus Executive Director to
develop scholarship fund for nontraditional students
• Worked with the Occupational Therapy Program Director to develop holistic applicant review
processes, revised interview questions, implementing assessment of inclusivity and cultural awareness
• Facilitated open forums for MSOT and OTD students to discuss student success, needs, and desired
support
• Served as a principal investigator for research focused on increasing quality of life through education
and occupational engagement (conducted at Downtown Women’s Center)
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (2019-2021)
• Led team of 3.5 staff members (2 FT administrative academic fieldwork assistants and 1 FT and 1 PT
fieldwork instructors)
• Developed job requisition for additional clinical staff; job requisition approved and additional half-time
faculty hired
• Revised the MSOT and OTD level I and level II fieldwork curriculum to reflect current trends in
practice, education, and global health
Updated: May 2023
• Developed, organized, and implemented level I fieldwork model according to ACOTE 2018 standards
using simulation technology, standardized patients and content experts during COVID-19 stay at home
order
• Led fieldwork department through the challenges of COVID-19, secured over 200 level II fieldwork
placements from March 2020-August 2021
• Established standards, implementation, selection, orientation, and evaluation of fieldwork sites
• Collaborated with clinical partners to develop student education programs including site specific
objectives, assessments and assignments
• Liaison between occupational therapy department and clinical education sites
• Secured over 200 clinical partnerships and affiliation agreements for level II 12 week fieldwork
placements
• Collaborated with Doctoral Capstone Coordinator to develop community partnerships and establish
occupational therapy programming
• Developed and facilitated international level II fieldwork experiences, including coordination with
international organizations to provide sustainable occupational therapy services in Bendigo, Australia
and Madrid, Spain
• Contributed to ACOTE accreditation for Entry-Level OTD program, developed level I and level II
fieldwork artifacts
• Supported Administrative Assistants in developing annual personal and professional goals for career
stability and advancement
• Organized and implemented Fieldwork Educator Conference in collaboration with AFWC’s in
California to create continuing education learning opportunities for community partners
Community Based Fieldwork Instructor (2018-2019)
• Established occupational therapy individual and group programming for women living in permanent
supportive housing to address occupational and environmental deprivation while houseless, improve
mental health, enhance social skills and relationship building, and help them develop life skills for
increase quality of life
• Established occupational therapy group program for individuals living in emergency housing to address
occupational and environmental deprivation while houseless, improve mental health, enhance self-care
skills, and help them develop coping strategies to improve quality of life
• Developed level I and level II psychosocial fieldwork curriculum for occupational therapy master and
doctoral students
• Trained, coached and supervised level I and level II fieldwork students within nontraditional setting
Pediatric Teaching Assistant (2018-2019)
• Collaborated with course instructor for delivery of hands on instruction
• Assisted with administering written and laboratory examinations focused on pediatric health and
function
• Assisted with assessment of written skills and professional reasoning demonstrated through course
assignments
Downtown Women’s Center 2018-2021
Community-Based Occupational Therapist
• Developed an occupational therapy individual and group program for women living in permanent
supportive housing to address occupational and environmental deprivation, improve mental health,
enhance social skills and relationship building, and help them develop life skills to increase quality of
life
Updated: May 2023
• Program served ~100 women, formerly houseless, across 2 locations with mental and physical health
dysfunction
• Trained interdisciplinary team on occupational therapy’s role in community mental health settings
• Coordinated community engagement opportunities for women transitioning out of homelessness:
o The Broad Museum- addressing community navigation, occupational engagement and social
participation
o Santa Monica Pier- addressing community navigation, occupational engagement, accessible
adaptive devices, and social participation
o Library- addressing community navigation, leisure exploration, occupational engagement, and
social participation
USC Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice 2018
Resident, Occupational Therapist
• Provided evidence-based evaluation and treatment to adults with a variety of mental health related
dysfunction focused on lifestyle changes
• Developed evidenced-based psychosocial treatment modules based on the principles of USC’s Lifestyle
Redesign
• Contributed to marketing efforts directed towards undergraduate students accessing mental health and
wellness services
Options for Rehab Home Health, Rancho Cucamonga CA 2017-2018
Independent Contractor, Occupational Therapist
• Evaluated adults to provide integrated occupational therapy services for a variety of conditions (such
as: neurological, cardiac, respiratory and orthopedic conditions)
• Educated and trained patient caregivers and families in home programs and compensatory strategies to
promote continuum of care
• Provided recommendations and education related to adaptive equipment and assistive devices designed
to improve safety and engagement in patients home setting
Homes for Life Organization, Torrance CA 2017-2018
Resident, Community-Based Occupational Therapist
• Conducted a needs assessment and developed an occupational therapy program within an emerging
community-based setting for individuals with serious mental illness diagnoses transitioning our of
homelessness
• Provided trauma-informed evidence-based assessment and intervention to adults, addressing adverse
psychosocial components, individually and in groups
Accent Care Home Health, Los Angeles CA 2017
Per Diem, Occupational Therapist
• Evaluated adults to provide integrated occupational therapy services for a variety of conditions (such
as: neurological, cardiac, respiratory and orthopedic conditions)
• Educated and trained patient caregivers
• Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, Guest Lecturer 2022
PT 5360 Physiologic Basis of Exercise, Wellness and Nutrition
PT 5610 Professional Aspects in Physical Therapy I
• West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA, Assistant Professor 2021
OCC 512 Introduction to Fieldwork I
OCC 543 Introduction to Fieldwork II
• West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA, Assistant Professor 2020
OCC 512 Introduction to Fieldwork I
OCC 543 Introduction to Fieldwork II
• West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA, Assistant Professor 2019
OCC 512 Introduction to Fieldwork I
OCC 543 Introduction to Fieldwork II
• West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA, Recurring Guest Lecturer 2019
OCC 531 Occupational Performance in the Adult Population
OCC 545 Occupational Wellness
• West Coast University, Los Angeles, CA, Recurring Guest Lecturer 2018
OCC 510 Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice
OCC 511 Occupational Across the Lifespan
OCC 531 Occupational Performance in the Adult Population
OCC 545 Occupational Wellness
Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon 2022 – Present
American College of Lifestyle Medicine 2021 – Present
World Federation of Occupational Therapy 2017 – Present
American Occupational Therapy Association 2015 – Present
Occupational Therapy Association of California 2015 – 2022
Western University of Health Sciences
CHS Faculty Guidelines and Bylaws Committee, 2023 – Present
Humanism Strategic Performance Group Committee, 2022 – Present
CHS-OTD Faculty Search Committee, 2022 – Present
Interprofessional Education Curriculum Committee, 2021 – Present
Occupational Therapy Association of California
Student Leadership Committee, Co-Chair, 2021-2022
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee, 2020-2021
OTAC Annual Conference Committee, Hospitality Co-Chair, 2019
OTAC Advisory Council, 2017-2022
West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies
Conduct Appeal Committee, 2020-2021
Student Occupational Therapy Association, COTAD Faculty Advisor, 2019-2021
California Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Council
Council Member, 2019-2021
Nigerian Federal School of Occupational Therapy
Consultant, 2018-2019
Wong, B., Bohler, G., Hernandez, S. S., McGinley, K., Nguyen, A. T., Reyes, R. L., & Brown, Z. (2023).
The importance of neurodiverse mentorship for the development of professional identity. Neuroscience
Research Notes, 6(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.31117/neuroscirn.v6i1.167
Brown, Z., & Poindexter, S. (2017). Strategies to increase diversity and inclusion in your occupational
therapy or occupational therapy assistant programs[Pamphlet]. Los Angeles, CA: University of Southern
California.