Julie Werner

Dr. Julie Werner serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy within the College of Health, Human Services and Nursing at California State University, Dominguez Hills. She maintains active clinical work as an Occupational Therapist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles since November 2013 and as a per diem Occupational Therapist at California Hospital Medical Center since April 2010.

Dr. Werner earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Science from the University of Southern California in December 2013, with a dissertation on 'Structural and functional correlates of developmental dyspraxia in the human mirror neuron system.' She also holds a Master of Arts (2008) and Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude (2007), both in Occupational Therapy from USC.

Her research focuses on pediatric neurorehabilitation, with particular expertise in acute flaccid myelitis, brachial plexus injuries, and developmental coordination disorders. Dr. Werner has published extensively on the mirror neuron system and its implications for occupational therapy practice. Her recent work examines upper extremity recovery in children with neurological conditions and the effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy, with several publications in 2020-2021 focusing on acute flaccid myelitis rehabilitation protocols.

• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
• Chair of Division of Rehabilitation Research Committee at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
• Mentor for rehabilitation colleagues in research design and scientific writing
• Presenter at major conferences including American Occupational Therapy Association and Organization for Human Brain Mapping

Dr. Werner's dual roles in academia and clinical practice allow her to directly translate research findings into improved patient care while training the next generation of occupational therapists. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based practice in pediatric occupational therapy, particularly in specialized areas of neurological rehabilitation.