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College of Health, Human Services & Nursing
Department of Occupational Therapy
Associate Professor
310-243-2269
sryan@csudh.edu

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy – Intercultural Studies. 2015. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA

Master of Science – Intercultural Studies. 2006. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA

Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy. 1989. University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA

BIO

Dr. Ryan entered the field of occupational therapy in 1989. She has worked in adult inpatient acute and neurological rehabilitation, pediatric outpatient clinic and school-based practice, and academic education.Ìý Her teaching interests include research, qualitative research methodologies, clinical reasoning, and the capstone experience.

SCHOLARSHIP AGENDA

Dr. Ryan has expertise in qualitative research and qualitative methodologies. As part of her scholarship of discovery, application and teaching, Dr. Ryan is invested in advising student qualitative research studies through construction, completion, presentation, and publication. Her own research has aimed at health promotion in community settings and among children/families.

ACADEMIC POSITIONS HELD

Assistant Professor – Department of Occupational Therapy. 2019 August – Present. ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú, Carson, CA.

Instructor – Department of Occupational Therapy. 2017 June – 2019 July. Stanbridge University, Irvine, CA.

Research Fellow – School of Intercultural Studies. 2018 September – 2021 March. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

Adjunct Assistant Professor – School of Intercultural Studies. 2015 – 2019. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

Instructor in Training - School of Intercultural Studies. 2008-2011. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

Teaching Assistant – School of Intercultural Studies. 2004-2006. Fuller Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.

ARTICLES IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS

• Ryan, S., McCarty, C. H., Farnam-Alavi, E. (2024). Post-adoption stress and support needs of families relative to neurodevelopmental disorders and disability: A parent survey.ÌýOccupational Therapy in Mental Health, Published online 07 August, 2024.Ìý
• Ryan, S., Bolten, E., Abolhosn, N., Adams, J., & Bocianski, H. (2023). "It doesn’t die within you: Outdoor recreation participation following spinal cord injury." OTJR, published online May 30, 2023.Ìý
• Ryan, S. (2022). Describing the post-adoption mental health support needs of adoptive families: Implications for occupational therapy.ÌýOccupational Therapy in Mental Health,ÌýPublished online 02 March, 2022.Ìý
• Swiatek, D., Ryan, S., & Peralta, T. (2021). Older adults in an LGBT residentialÌýcommunity: Impact of a safe space on occupation and well-being.ÌýThe Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 9(4), 1-14.Ìý
• Ryan, S., Flank, S., Vesagas, T., & Tolentino, E. (2020). Occupational ideation and
  participation among middle school students in a college-going culture program. Journal of Occupational Science. Published online 12 August, 2020.
• Krause, D., Ryan, S., Krpalek, D., Roll, S. C., Javaherian-Dysinger, H., & Daher, N. (2019). Participants’ perceptions of Kinesio tape for carpal tunnel syndrome: A qualitative study. Hand Therapy Journal, 24(2), 37-47.

REFEREED PRESENTATIONS & CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

• Penoliar, P., & Ryan, S. (2023, November).ÌýFunction and participation following community-based stroke rehabilitation. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Pasadena, California.
• Ryan, S. & Penoliar, P. (2023, April).ÌýFunction and participation following community-based stroke rehabilitation.ÌýCSUDH Faculty Research Symposium, Carson, California.
• Simmons, C., Rezvani, S., & Ryan, S. (2022, October).ÌýTattoos and stilettos:ÌýThe meaning of clothing for disabled adults. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.Ìý
• Lee, L., Kim, M., & Ryan, S. (2022, October).ÌýExperiences of male OTs onÌýdelivering hands-on care to female pediatric clients.ÌýPresentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.Ìý
• Lee, R., Medalle, Y., Moore, R., & Ryan, S. (2022, October).ÌýOccupationalÌýparticipation in LGBTQIA+ individuals after coming out. Presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.Ìý
• Ngo, S., Ignacio, F., & Ryan, S. (2022, October).ÌýExperiences of occupationalÌýtherapists working with unhoused populations.ÌýPresentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.Ìý
• Fan, H., Chavez, S., German, J., & Ryan, S. (2022, October).ÌýCommunity-based practice for underserved stroke survivors.ÌýPresentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, Santa Clara, California.Ìý
• Ryan, S. (2021, October).ÌýAdoptive family health, stress, and support: A needs assessment.ÌýPresentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, virtual, California.
• Ryan, S., Lawson, E., Miller, K., & Mingoia, C. (2020, October). Maneuvering the minefield: Dating with congenital physical disabilities. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference and Expo, virtual, California.
• Ryan, S. (2020, March). Childhood occupations: More than school and play. Paper presentation at the Western Regional Occupational Therapy Spring Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Ryan, S., Decena, K., Higa, A., Jones, C., & Lockwood, E. (2020, March). Teens with ADHD: Factors associated with driving errors. Paper presentation at the Western Regional Occupational Therapy Spring Symposium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Ryan, S., Flank, S., Latz, C., Tolentino, E., & Vesagas, T. (2019, April). "You gotta do it right the first time": Occupational therapy’s role in middle school to college transitions for youth in an underserved community. Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Ryan, S., Cross, J., Frank, K., Orrico, K., & Patel, N. (2019, April). Community based social-emotional development: An Urban Compass playbook. Poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Ryan, S., Flank, S., Latz, C., Tolentino, E., & Vesagas, T. (2019, March). Voices of urban youth: Current and future occupations. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, San Diego, California.
• Ryan, S., Cross, J., Frank, K., Orrico, K., & Patel, N. (2018, March). Community based social-emotional development: An Urban Compass playbook. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, San Diego, California.
• Ryan, S., Eckman, H., Leano, K., Luong, T., & Silva, H. (2018, March). Raising sensory explorers: A handbook for parents/teachers. Paper presentation at the Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, San Diego, California.
• Ryan, S. (2013, February). The bible and reversals of power: A theological corrective to the evangelical adoption and orphan care movement. Paper read at the Intercountry Adoption: Orphan Rescue or Child Trafficking? Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, CA.
• Gapultos, D., & Ryan, S. (2008, April). Sensory integration with post-institutionalized children. Paper presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association
  Annual Conference, Long Beach, California.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

• Ryan, S. (2024, March).ÌýPublishing student research projects.ÌýIn Scholarship and DoctoralÌýCulture Committee Chew & Chat Series. ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú, Carson, California.
• Moy, F., & Ryan, S. (2023, October). Strategies for parents of children with disabilities. In InterCultural Occupational Therapy (ICOT) workshop. California State University. Dominguez Hills, CA.
• Mereu, S., Jermany, C., Ryan, S., & Toubak, B. (2023, June).ÌýDiversity and disability short films. In Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival and Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). California State University. Dominguez Hills, CA.Ìý

• Ryan, S. (2021, September).ÌýFinding your voice and navigating tricky interactions in the workplace and beyond. In Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) workshop. California State University. Dominguez Hills, CA.

• Ryan, S. (2021, March).ÌýMindful approaches to short term trips to orphanages. InÌýInterCultural Occupational Therapy (ICOT) workshop. California State University. Dominguez Hills, CA.

• Ryan, S. (2018, September). Cultural humility in occupational therapy practice. In A. Davies & E. Wang (Chairs), MSOT and OTA program fieldwork educator’s seminar. Stanbridge University. Irvine, CA.

CREDENTIALS & LICENSURE

Certified Occupational Therapist by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (USA). Certificate Number: 4440

License in Occupational Therapy by California Board of Occupational Therapy. License Number: 4778

Certification for Administration of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT). Certificate Number: 1787