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Margarita Artavia

Teaching Professor, Practicum Education and Professor, Clinical Dentistry, Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Margarita Artavia is a teaching professor in the Adult Mental Health and Wellness department, field education coordinator and has expertise in interdisciplinary collaboration.

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Margarita Artavia
Email:  artavia@usc.edu
Phone:  213.740.9465
Rank:  Teaching Faculty

Margarita Artavia

Teaching Professor, Practicum Education and Professor, Clinical Dentistry, Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Margarita Artavia is a teaching professor in the Adult Mental Health and Wellness department, field education coordinator and has expertise in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Media Contact

Biography

Margarita Artavia joined the faculty of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work in 1994.  She teaches courses for Integrative Learning for Advanced Social Work Practice, and serves a co-coordinator for the Adult Mental Health and Wellness student placement process. Professor Artavia conducts professional training seminars and workshops for mental health professionals, administrators, and student interns from diverse professions on various topics including communication, culture, self-reflection and cultural humility.
Since 2016, Professor Artavia has held a joint appointment with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, where she reviews and oversees critical elements of the associated Social Work MSW Educational Internship Program.  She co-facilitates teaching modules for the behavioral dentistry course, and is an active facilitator for the USC Interprofessional Education Program (IPE). She also conducts trainings for dental students, pediatric residents, faculty and staff.
Prior to USC, Artavia served as coordinator at the Inter-Professional Initiative in South Central Los Angeles, and as an external field instructor for the Interdisciplinary Project working with graduate and doctoral students from multiple USC Schools serving at-risk children and their families in urban centers.  Professor Artavia was a medical social worker for the Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center for 15 years, serving as chair for the center’s Domestic Violence Project. She is also the former director of mental health services for the Venice Family Clinic, and was a psychiatric social worker for the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic.
Professor Artavia is a two-time recipient of the Jane Addams Faculty Award, in 2010 and 2020, in recognition of academic, administrative and moral support to students. She is a recipient of the Hutto Patterson Foundation Distinguished Faculty Award, in 2012, for teaching excellence. In 2019, she received the Leadership and Creativity Award, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to enhancing the visibility and reputation of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

Education

University of Southern California

MSW 1985

California State University

BS 1983

Area of Expertise

  • Mental Health for Children, Youth and Adults
  • Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Oral Health and Social Work
  • Immigration

Industry Experience

  • Program Development and Design
  • Education and Learning

Affiliations

  • Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC
  • Loyola Marymount Art Therapy Program

Accomplishments

Jane Addams Faculty Award

2020 and 2010 USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Leadership and Creativity Award

2019 USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Hutto Patterson Foundation Distinguished Faculty Award

2012 USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Excellence in Teaching Award

2009 USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Certificate of Recognition

2009 4th Annual Career Exploration Conference at L.A. Valley College (Families in Schools)

Remarkable Woman Award

2007 University of Southern California

Languages

  • Spanish