Heather Kitching

College of Health, Human Services and Nursing
Department of Occupational Therapy
MSOT Program Coordinator
310-243-2694
hkitching@csudh.edu

EDUCATION

Occupational Therapy Doctorate, University of Southern California

Master of Arts, Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California

Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University

CLINICAL PRACTICE

Dr. Kitching entered practice in 1991 at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. In addition to extensive experience in both pediatric and adult, acute rehabilitation, she has also practiced at Keck Medical Center of USC in acute medicine. She has experience in functional restoration and self-management interventions with clients in all of the following areas of practice: post-traumatic and post-surgical conditions/recovery, transplant care, oncology, neurology, edema management and mechanical circulatory support. She has been a clinical instructor of occupational therapy in both academic and practice settings for more than 15 years.

LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Dr. Kitching is former President of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and has proudly maintained active involvement in her professional organizations throughout her years of practice and teaching. She has held both elected and appointed positions at the local and state levels with the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC). She has served the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) on the local conference committee and has volunteered for short-term projects with the California Foundation for Occupational Therapy (CFOT) including a two-year appointment to the board as the liaison from OTAC. Her core values of advocacy and service have ignited a long-standing commitment to her professional associations.

SCHOLARSHIP AGENDA

Dr. Kitching's involvement in advocacy and leadership is representative of her scholarship of teaching and application. This is evident by the positions that Dr. Kitching has held at the university, local, state and national levels and can be seen through Dr. Kitching's mentorship as well as presentations that address change and growth within the profession.

Advocacy and Leadership Service

Senator, California State University Dominguez Hills, Academic Senate -- 2018-Present
Advisor, Student Occupational Therapy Association -- 2017-Present
Chairperson, Affiliated State Association Presidents (ASAP), Appointed by the President of the AOTA, American Occupational Therapy Association -- 2021-2022
President, Occupational Therapy Association of California; Elected by the general membership for two consecutive terms. Served on the Affiliated State Association Presidents (ASAP) -- 2016-2020
Member, California Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Council, Continuing Education Committee -- 2016-2020
Appointed Member, Fiscal Advisory Committee, Occupational Therapy Association of California -- 2014
Co-Founder and Organizer, Annual Afternoon Tea with a Scholar Lectureship & Fundraiser, Occupational Therapy Association of California -- 2000-Present
OTAC Liaison, California Foundation for Occupational Therapy, Board of Directors (in the role of OTAC Vice President) -- 2011-2013
Member, California Foundation for Occupational Therapy, Internal Development Committee -- 2013-2014
Reviewer, California Foundation for Occupational Therapy, Research Proposal -- 2018, 2021
Vice President, Occupational Therapy Association of California. Elected by the general membership. Facilitated establishment of updated Strategic Pland for state association prior to end of term -- 2011-2013
Region 2 Director, Board of Directors, Occupational Therapy Association of California -- 2007-2011
OTAC Representative, Los Angeles Occupational Therapy Leadership Forum, -- 2008-2011
Appointee, Occupational Therapy Association of California, Strategic Planning Committee -- 2008-2009
Member, Occupational Therapy Association of California, Fiscal Advisory Committee 2009
Hospitality Co-Chairperson, Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference, 2010
Member-at-Large, Occupational Therapy Association of California Executive Committee -- 2009-2011

Presentations

Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference & Expo (Virtual); Building Capacity: Level II FW to Master Clinician; co-presenters: A. Baker, MS, OTR/L; R. Crouch, OTR/L; V. Montes, MS, OTR/L. October 2021
Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference & Expo (Virtual); Resilient. Renewed. Rising! Looking Back Enables Us to Move Forward; co-presenters: B. Edwards, OTD, MA, OTR/L, BCP, MPH; Luella Grangaard, OTR/L; Patricia Nagaishi, PhD, OTR/L October 2021 (Invited)
Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference & Expo (Virtual); Navigating Unexpected Change: The Evolution of a Profession; co-presenter: B. Zubel, OTD, OTR/L October 2021 (Invited)
Western Regional Occupational Therapy Spring Symposium (Socio): Navigating Unexpected Change: The Evolution of a Profession; co-presenter: B. Zubel, OTD, OTR/L. March 2021
Professionalism and Leadership (Doctoral course), Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Zoom); My Leadership Journey. March 2020 (Invited)
Fieldwork Educators’ Workshop at California State University, Dominguez Hills; Demystifying Level I Fieldwork; co-presenters: G. Phelps, OTD, OTR/L and A. Thatcher, MOT, OT/L. February 2020
Celebrating Our Legacy and Our Future: 50th Celebration of Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University. Transforming a Profession: Stability, Sustainability, Accountability and Vision! September 2019 (Invited)
Introduction to the Scope of Practice and Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Therapy (OTR 410); OT Professional Community: Understanding the Importance and Role of all the OT Professional Organizations and Acronyms; California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA; April 2016, April 2019, July 2019