Why Mentorship Matters: How Supportive Work Environments Shape the Journey from OT Student to Certified Hand Therapist

Why Mentorship Matters: How Supportive Work Environments Shape the Journey from OT Student to Certified Hand Therapist Becoming a healthcare professional involves more than completing coursework or accumulating clinical hours. Long-term success depends on the quality of mentorship, professional support, and workplace culture that shape a clinician’s early career. For Emily Grullón, OTR/L, OTD, CHT, a Certified Hand Therapist and faculty member at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), those factors were instrumental in her own professional development—and now inform how she prepares future occupational therapists for practice. Dr. Grullón explored these themes during her presentation, From [...]

By |2026-02-19T17:24:26+00:00February 20, 2026|Front Page News, OTD-Organic, SCU News|

Medicare Covers Acupuncture—So Why Can’t Licensed Acupuncturists Provide It?

Medicare Covers Acupuncture—So Why Can’t Licensed Acupuncturists Provide It? Nearly five years after Medicare approved acupuncture as a covered, evidence-based treatment for chronic low back pain, access to care remains strikingly uneven across the United States. In many regions, older adults technically have coverage—but little practical ability to receive acupuncture from trained providers. New research presented by faculty from Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) reveals just how wide these gaps are—and points to a central policy contradiction at the heart of Medicare’s acupuncture benefit. Extreme Geographic Inequities in Access At the recent Academy of Integrative Health [...]

By |2026-02-11T16:38:51+00:00February 13, 2026|Front Page News, SCU News|

SCU Faculty Spotlight: Global Leadership in Whole Health at International Integrative Medicine Congress

SCU Faculty Spotlight: Global Leadership in Whole Health at International Integrative Medicine Congress Faculty leaders from Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) took the global stage this fall, showcasing the university’s growing leadership in Whole Health education, integrative research, and culturally responsive care at the 3rd World Congress on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in Rio de Janeiro The international gathering brought together researchers, educators, clinicians, and policymakers from around the world to explore evidence-informed approaches to integrative health care. SCU faculty contributed through oral presentations, panel participation, and poster research—advancing conversations on how health professions [...]

By |2026-02-12T17:09:04+00:00February 5, 2026|Front Page News, SCU News|

SCU Faculty Member Dr. Steffany Moonaz Featured in The New York Times for Expertise on Exercise and Knee Osteoarthritis

SCU Faculty Member Dr. Steffany Moonaz Featured in The New York Times for Expertise on Exercise and Knee Osteoarthritis Our own Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) faculty member, Dr. Steffany Moonaz, was recently interviewed for a feature in The New York Times — shining a national spotlight on her expertise and, by extension, the high caliber of SCU’s academic and clinical community. The article, titled “Knee Osteoarthritis: What Exercises Really Help”, published November 3, 2025, explores how targeted movement and thoughtful exercise play a key role in managing knee osteoarthritis. The piece highlights the importance of [...]

By |2026-01-22T18:08:03+00:00November 7, 2025|Front Page News|

Southern California University of Health Sciences Dr. Michael Ramcharan Receives APHA Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Public Health and Inter-Professional Education

Southern California University of Health Sciences Dr. Michael Ramcharan Receives APHA Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Public Health and Inter-Professional Education Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is proud to announce that Dr. Michael Ramcharan, MD, DC, EdD, Vice-Provost and Assistant Vice-President of Academic Affairs, has been honored with the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference. This accolade recognizes Dr. Ramcharan's outstanding contributions to public health, integrative healthcare education, and SCU's mission to lead in Whole Health. Dr. Michael Ramcharan: Champion of Public Health and Inter-Professional Education Dr. Ramcharan, an established leader [...]

By |2025-08-22T20:57:30+00:00December 3, 2024|Front Page News|

SCU’s Dr. Leah Grout Honored with the 2024 ICTHP Emerging Leadership Award

SCU's Dr. Leah Grout Honored with the 2024 ICTHP Emerging Leadership Award Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) proudly announces that Dr. Leah Grout, Associate Professor and Research Data Analyst, has been recognized with the 2024 Integrative, Complementary, and Traditional Health Practices (ICTHP) Emerging Leadership Award. This distinguished honor highlights Dr. Grout's significant contributions to the advancement of integrative and whole health within public health and health services research. The award, presented by the American Public Health Association (APHA) ICTHP section, recognizes outstanding emerging leaders in the field. Dr. Grout was selected from an exceptional pool of nominees, making this [...]

By |2025-08-22T20:57:27+00:00December 2, 2024|Front Page News|

Celebrating Excellence: Dr. Anupama Kizhakkeveettil Appointed Chair of the APHA ICTHP Section

Celebrating Excellence: Dr. Anupama Kizhakkeveettil Appointed Chair of the APHA ICTHP Section Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is thrilled to announce that Dr. Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, PhD, BAMS, MAOM, LAc, FAIHM, C-IAYT. and Program Director of SCU's Ayurveda Medicine Department, has been appointed Chair of the American Public Health Association's (APHA) Section on Integrative, Complementary, and Traditional Health Practices (ICTHP). With deep expertise and decades of experience in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, yoga, public health, and integrative medicine, Dr. Kizhakkeveettil hopes to lead the ICTHP section into a future of expanded advocacy, education, and collaboration. Prior to this appointment, [...]

By |2025-08-22T20:57:25+00:00November 26, 2024|AYUR-Organic, Front Page News|

SCU Provost on Transforming Education to Transform the Student Experience and Society

SCU Provost on Transforming Education to Transform the Student Experience and Society Featured in The EvoLLLution®: Insights from Dr. Tamara Rozhon, Provost of Southern California University of Health Sciences Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) proudly announces that our Provost, Dr. Tamara Rozhon, has been featured in The EvoLLLution®, a leading publication focused on the future of higher education. Her article, "How a Whole Health University Transforms the Student Experience and Society,” explores how SCU's Whole Health approach is redefining the educational landscape, shaping individual student outcomes, and fostering broader societal impact. Read the full article here. How a Whole [...]

By |2025-08-26T23:11:48+00:00November 13, 2024|Front Page News|

Celebrating 45 Years of US-China Diplomatic Relations and the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the United States

Celebrating 45 Years of U.S.-China Diplomatic Relations and the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the United States Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) recently hosted a grand event celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and China. This historic gathering emphasized the progress and integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) within American healthcare. It highlighted SCU's ongoing dedication to advancing integrative, whole-person health through education, research, and cultural exchange. After President Nixon's landmark 1972 visit to China, TCM began to take root in the United States, becoming a vital component of community health nationwide. [...]

By |2025-08-20T23:02:28+00:00November 8, 2024|ACM-Organic, Front Page News|

Southern California University of Health Sciences Celebrates Dr. Michael Fanning’s Appointment to the 2024 Paris Summer Games U.S. Olympic Medical Team

Southern California University of Health Sciences Celebrates Dr. Michael Fanning's Appointment To The 2024 Paris Summer Games U.S. Olympic Medical Team We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Michael Fanning, a distinguished Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) team member, has been named to the 2024 Paris Summer Games U.S. Olympic medical team. This prestigious appointment underscores Dr. Fanning's exceptional expertise and dedication to supporting athletic excellence. Dr. Fanning, a seasoned clinician in our Tactical Sports Medicine department, has been an integral part of the SCU community since he joined the faculty following an impressive stint in the United [...]

By |2025-08-22T20:57:15+00:00April 26, 2024|Front Page News|
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