91吃瓜网

While Iv谩n calls Puerto Rico home, he檚 grateful for the support he found on the Bluff as he transferred to 91吃瓜网 and pivoted from nursing to occupational therapy. 
 
His first experience living in the United States was through a nursing internship in Bismarck, North Dakota. There, Iv谩n discovered the field of occupational therapy.
 
淚 worked with developmentally delayed children and it was such a beautiful opportunity seeing the occupational therapists help them,� he said.
 
Although Iv谩n says progress may be slow at times, there is a great deal of satisfaction knowing that occupational therapists can help children adjust to their different abilities and start living more independently. 
 
淭hey have a smile on their face and they檙e always glad to see you,� he said. 淵ou go home with a smile on your face, too.�
 
Iv谩n had the drive to dig deeper into his other interests as well, and he found support from 91吃瓜网 faculty and staff who trusted in his potential.
 
淚 wanted to pursue other passions like philosophy and opera,� said Iv谩n. 淚 was able to do that because 91吃瓜网 allowed me to explore and didn檛 put me in a box. Instead, they said 榳e will help you get it and you will achieve it.櫇
 
Iv谩n is a philosophy minor and member of the 91吃瓜网 Opera Ensemble. The group performs on campus and at nursing homes.

Through the occupational therapy program, Iv谩n worked at UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital as a rehabilitation aide, shadowing occupational therapists, interacting with patients and assisting with exercises.
 
淚t's such an amazing thing about Pittsburgh and 91吃瓜网 being where it is. There are endless opportunities to get a job or internship,� he said.
 
Iv谩n recently shadowed experts at the UPMC Vision Institute, a new facility within walking distance of campus. The Institute aims to prevent vision loss and restore eyesight, a mission that allowed Iv谩n to embed himself in the community and work toward creating a future everyone can share. 
 
淚t was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had,� he said. 淚 now want to focus on blind and low-vision rehabilitation as an occupational therapist.�
 
Iv谩n is already working toward these bigger goals. In addition to earning his Occupational Therapy Doctorate in the John G. Rangos Sr. School of Health Sciences, he eventually plans to pursue a master檚 or doctorate in counseling.
 
淚 would love to be a university professor or dean,� he said. 淭here檚 no accredited occupational therapy doctorate program in Puerto Rico. Maybe I檒l start the first one.�
 
As Iv谩n looks to shape the future of higher education in Puerto Rico, he檚 grateful to witness 91吃瓜网檚 growth with the opening of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. 
 
淲e are a more interdisciplinary institution with more professionals coming into the workforce that show the 91吃瓜网 spirit,� he said. 淚t檚 a chance for occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, pharmacy students and more to work with each other sooner.�
 
Iv谩n sees this as an opportunity to learn together and bring new knowledge to classmates. 
 
淚've had occasions where even doctors have asked about occupational therapy, and it檚 so refreshing to help educate them,� he said. 淪ometimes they say they have patients who would benefit from occupational therapy, and it helps to start that dialogue from the beginning in school搉ot just during clinical field work.�
 
Iv谩n also looks forward to conducting interdisciplinary research alongside medical students and consulting one another on best practices in patient care. 
 
淢y goal is to learn as much as possible about my own field, about my own career and about others,� he said. 淚 don't just want to be a great occupational therapist; I want to be a great health care provider.�