Zipporah Brown, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CNS, DipACLM

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.