Lina-Maria Garcia, OTD, OTR/L
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Lina-Maria Garcia, OTD, OTR/L
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Mission
My passion in the care and rehabilitation of others has continuously driven me to expand my knowledge, experience, and relationships. My professional mission is to become a servant leader in this field, with a strong clinical background and diverse skill-set, who will inspire others to discover possibilities in the presence of barriers.
I am a believer in education and the exchange of learning- for patients, peers, students, and therapists. After all, knowledge is power and sharing is caring! I am an advocate for equal access, social justice, equal opportunities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strength in the diversity of ideas, cultures, and experiences. For those reasons, I am committed to facilitating the functional gains of my patients through both the unique independent skill of OT as well as the collaborative interdisciplinary process. I am committed to the use of evidence-based, patient-centred practice, and the sharing of innovative creative ideas with excitement, patience, and perseverance towards holistic goals.
Values
Sincerity.
I am a firm believer in therapeutic use of self. When one is genuine, while still remaining constructive and positive, I believe it speaks volumes.
Effort.
I know I put in a lot of effort and thought into both my professional work and personal activities. For better or for worse. I'm detail-oriented and I value the effort and the time it takes to complete tasks well. It's one of the qualities I recognize and value most in other people. I believe with honest effort, access, and support, there is very little that cannot be done.
Vision.
I believe in working towards goals, and walking in your purpose. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the road ahead, but having vision means you see possibilities beyond the barriers of the moment.
Creativity.
This is a core value for me. Creativity combines effort, vision, sincerity, courage, and perseverance. When I am most anxious, I am least creative. To me, it is one of my most balancing values.
Awards & Recognitions
Helen Hopkins Award
The Helen Hopkins Scholarship is an award for post-professional Doctoral OT students. This award is in honor of Dr. Helen Hopkins and is awarded to the student that best espouses the values most important to her, including exceptional academic achievement and true dedication and passion for excellence in Occupational Therapy.
Servant Leadership Award
The Servant Leadership Award was an award given to clinicians at a Sub-Acute Rehabilitation/Skilled Nursing Facility where I worked in 2012, by patients or family members who nominate staff. Per this award, the servant leader is described as the person who encourages relationships, is sincere, demonstrates integrity, is neighborly and compassionate, embodies trust, respect, awareness, and responsiveness for the genuine needs of others. This particular family member who nominated me for this award did so for 'going above and beyond' for their loved one.
Travel Occupational Therapy Experience
G-Codes in different area codes
Cincinnati, OH
I started a contract travel position here, and once the contract was over, and the clinical manager transferred to another facility, he asked me to join his new team here. Since my then significant other (now, fiance) is based out of Cincinnati, I decided to hang up the travel jersey for a while, and made Cincinnati home.
Los Angeles, CA
A contract position I will always hold close to my heart. In LA, I was the only OT for the whole metro area for home health. I am grateful to have had such a wonderful experience and worked with many skilled clinicians as well as a diverse patient population. I miss the LA vibe--but not the LA traffic.
Boston, MA
I started this contract position in the winter time. Boston + Snow + Home Health = quite the adventure. I was up for the challenge and I honestly loved it. I grew up (partially) in a city outside of Boston, so it was somewhat a familiar setting. Experiencing Boston and the surrounding areas through the eyes of an adult and as a clinician was both nostalgic and inspiring.
Philadelphia, PA
Philly will always be home. I took a contract here between positions to be able to spend time with my family around the holidays. The city of Brotherly Love was also the first place I worked as an OT upon passing my licensure exam. I lived here, studied here, my family is not too far, and it is always a pleasure to go back whenever I get the opportunity.
Miami, FL
Though not a contract position, I consider it a travel experience, none-the-less. I completed my Level 2 Fieldworks in Miami, FL in Health South Rehabilitation Hospital, and at CORA outpatient clinic. Though it came with its' challenges, it was truly a remarkable learning experience, and I'm grateful for the strong start to my career because of it.
Philanthropy
"Even if it's a little thing, do something for those who need help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For, remember, you don't live in a world all on your own. Your brothers and sisters are here too".
Hearts In Motion
Guatemala | OT Supervisor: August 2017, 2018, & 2019
Habitat For Humanity | World Central Kitchen | Chefs For Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico | Summer of 2018
Ladies of Leadership
Cincinnati, Ohio | Mentor: Since August 2019
Publications
Al DÃa Newspaper, Spring 2011
SALSA STEPS FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT [Spanish]
I was interviewed and published by Al DÃa Newspaper (Philadelphia publication for Latino community)  for my project with a Kensington, Philadelphia  Head Start program. The students ranged from 3-6 years old. Supervised by the awesome Full-time OT at the school, and guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model, I used student-centered strengths to facilitate engagement in salsa dancing during their gross-motor time. By making modifications to certain roles, children with developmental delays were able to fully participate along with their peers who were typically developing. The project was well received throughout the school. Throughout the summer and following school year, I was able to add layers to the project to involve a weekly family newsletter, weekend parent-child workshops (with latin dance, reading, and education), as well as enlist community dance partners to come in and perform for the children at this Head Start facility. This all allowed for student centered therapy, peer and social components within the school environment, child and parent engagement, and the added element of community participation.
Professional Affiliations
American Occupational Therapy Association
Ohio Occupational Therapy Association
Interests and Hobbies
Travel
Travel for new or nostalgic experiences- anywhere locally or globally, let's go!
Expressions of Support
Word on the Street
Contact Me
If you would like to share your experience, express your support, or have any general inquiries- I’d love to hear from you!
