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College of Health, Human Services & Nursing                                         
Department of Occupational Therapy
Lecturer

310-243-2726
sitaya1@csudh.edu

EDUCATION

2015
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy | ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú, Dominguez Hills

2011
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology | University of California, San Diego

BIO

Samantha Maris, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with extensive experience in adult and geriatric rehabilitation. She currently practices at Providence Little Company of Mary in San Pedro, where she specializes in neurological rehabilitation, cognitive retraining, and interventions for the aging population across outpatient, acute rehabilitation, and sub-acute settings.

In addition to her clinical work, Samantha serves as Adjunct Faculty in the MSOT program at ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú, Dominguez Hills. She contributes to curriculum development and instruction across courses including anatomy, adult interventions, and geriatric conditions, with a focus on spinal cord injury, progressive neurological disorders, polytrauma, and cognitive impairments. She is passionate about professional advocacy, mentorship, and advancing occupational therapy practice through education and clinical excellence.

CREDENTIALS & LICENSURE

• Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L)

• Neuro-IFRAH Certified

• Certified HawkGrips Practitioner (HGP-II)

• AOTA Fieldwork Educator’s Certificate Program

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Providence Little Company of Mary – San Pedro, CA

Occupational Therapist (July 2015 – Present)

• Provide rehabilitation services across outpatient, acute rehab, and sub-acute hospital settings

• Specialize in neurological rehabilitation, cognitive retraining, and geriatric care

• Serve as primary therapist for the Center of Optimal Aging program

• Implement interventions including work hardening and ergonomic modifications

• Mentor fieldwork students and participate in interdisciplinary collaboration

• Contribute to hospital initiatives such as infection control through the Hand Hygiene Committee

FIELDWORK / INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

• VA Hospital, Long Beach, CA – Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (Spring 2015)

• Providence Little Company of Mary, San Pedro, CA – Outpatient Rehabilitation (Fall 2014)

REFEREED PRESENTATIONS & CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Itaya, S., Schotter, L., Zlatarev, J., & Rayner, K. (2011). The Stroop Effect is not due to interference during identification: Evidence from eye movements. Poster Presentation, UCLA Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, Los Angeles, CA.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

• Delivered academic instruction and lectures in MSOT courses including anatomy, adult conditions, and geriatric rehabilitation topics

• Developed and presented curriculum content on cognitive interventions for older adults with dementia

• Provided clinical education and mentorship through fieldwork supervision and hospital-based training programs

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

• Outstanding Student Award – Occupational Therapy Association of California (2014)

• Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement – CSUDH (2014)

• Pi Theta Epsilon (Cohort 9 President)

• CFOT Bonita Kraft Scholarship Awardee

• AOTF North Coast Medical Scholarship Awardee

• Five-Year Service Award – Providence Little Company of Mary