Annual Newsletter
Our mission is to prepare practice scholars, educational innovators, and professional leaders who use clinically meaningful research in the implementation of best practice to meet the changing demands of the Occupational Therapy profession.
Leadership, Innovation, and Flourishing in a Changing World
Message from the Chair
Dear Faculty, Students, Alumni, Colleagues, and Friends,
In a world where technology is rapidly transforming healthcare, education, and daily life, the need for occupational therapy practitioners who can navigate these changes with integrity has never been greater. Advances in artificial intelligence open exciting possibilities for occupational therapy but also raise profound ethical questions. At Baylor University, we are uniquely positioned to address these challenges as a Christian research university, by preparing professionals who will lead with wisdom and uphold the values of human dignity and flourishing.
Baylor's Entry-level OTD program, an integral part of Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, was the first hybrid OTD program to receive full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and celebrated the graduation of our inaugural cohort in 2022. Since then, at the heart of our mission, is the dynamic relationship between faculty and students, where strategic planning and curiosity intersect with mentorship and collaboration. Our hybrid instructional platform supports the intentional integration of online and on-campus learning using advanced educational technologies to support student learning, and our faculty research agendas support an evidence-based approach to curriculum development and teaching strategies.
As the premier hybrid OTD program, we are experts in the design and delivery of technology-mediated teaching and learning experiences and are preparing a workforce comfortable with technology and ready to lead with purpose, ensuring that technological progress benefits individuals and communities alike. Indeed, our graduates have already shown themselves to be not only practice-scholars but also leaders equipped to shape the future of occupational therapy where human-centered design enhances health and well-being for all.
This past year, our department flourished in ways that reflect both our mission and the unwavering support of our community. Our core faculty were privileged to collaborate with over 50 highly accomplished adjunct faculty, 19 of whom are graduates of our Post-professional OTD program. Additionally, 144 Fieldwork Educators in 25 states and Puerto Rico, generously shared their expertise, and 72 doctoral capstone site supervisors provided mentorship and support to guide students in their scholarly work.
Our Post-professional OTD program continues to be a cornerstone of innovation, offering occupational therapists opportunities to deepen their expertise and expand their career aspirations. Building on the success of this program, we launched the Certificate in Hybrid Teaching for the Occupational Therapy Practitioner, an advanced Certification available to all occupational therapy practitioners (OT and OTA) with a baccalaureate degree, expanding our impact and equipping practitioners with tools to meet the demands of modern education and practice, including telehealth.
This year also marked an exciting milestone as we awarded our first scholarships to twelve deserving OTD students. These awards represent our commitment to easing financial burdens for students and fostering their success. As our scholarship fund grows, we are excited to expand these opportunities in 2025, with plans to support more students and significantly increase the value of each award. Your contributions directly support this mission, helping us prepare future leaders and transforming lives through education and service. Every gift, no matter the size, is a blessing to our students and their futures.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we also look forward with hope and purpose. The stories in this newsletter highlight the incredible impact of our students, faculty, and alumni, as well as the shared commitment that drives our work. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are shaping the future of occupational therapy and advancing a vision of leadership, service, and innovation that embody our commitment to excellence. I am honored to be part of this journey; to share, connect, and grow together.
Warm regards,
Marian Gillard, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Clinical Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Occupational Therapy
Baylor University's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the recent passing of one of our Entry-level OTD alumni, Isata Sheriff, OTD, OTR, who was part of the Class of 2023. May Isata's life inspire us to continue to uplift one another, cherishing the bonds we share as a part of the occupational therapy community and Baylor family. You may also consider joining her classmates as they collect donations in her memory through the Baylor Occupational Therapy scholarship fund. Donations in her honor will be matched up to $10,000 by the Department.
Baylor University's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of two new program directors for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs. Kayla Collins, EdD, MOT, OTR, Clinical Associate Professor, has been named Program Director for the Entry-level OTD program, and Barbara Doucet, PhD, OTR, Clinical Associate Professor, and Director of Faculty Development & Scholarship, has been named Program Director for the Post-professional OTD program. In this Q&A, discover their bold visions for the future as they lead the continued growth of Baylor’s dynamic occupational therapy education programs.
Kayla Collins, EdD, OTR, Program Director, and Clinical Associate Professor, is excited to announce her candidacy for a position on the Board of Directors for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Voting is open from January 31 to February 21, for current AOTA members—please make your voice heard and cast your vote.
Trailblazer Paola Medina López is the first Puerto Rican resident to pursue Baylor University’s hybrid Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree. From her home in Puerto Rico, she balances the academic demands of the program with a focus on “maintaining her essence as a Puerto Rican.”
Pelvic floor therapy is a relatively new topic within the occupational therapy profession, and as a result, the two are not often heard in the same sentence. Lindsey Sutton, OTR, OTD ‘23, PhD, C-IAYT, 500 RYT, would love to change this narrative.
Parkinson’s disease is chronic and persistent, and individuals living with Parkinson’s often have trouble controlling the movement of their bodies due to tremors, and can experience impaired balance, slowness of reflexes, and stiffness in their body. The Department of Occupational Therapy in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is contributing to novel research in neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, as Barbara Doucet, PhD, OTR, Clinical Associate Professor, Program Director of the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, and Director of Faculty Development and Scholarship, gains national recognition as an expert in Parkinson’s scholarship.
Recently, seven of Baylor University’s Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students participated in a pilot global collaboration project between students from eight countries to exchange knowledge across cultures and understand various experiences in clinical education. Students from Australia, Canada, Greece, India, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and the United States participated in the six-week asynchronous project, which exposed Baylor OTD students to a multitude of occupational therapy practices globally and gave them the opportunity to grow in their cultural competence, critical thinking, and international networks.
To earn a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree from Baylor University’s Department of Occupational Therapy—and then return to the Department to serve as an adjunct professor—is something special. Anne Bradley, OTD, OTR, did just that and is currently mentoring six students through their capstone experience for the Entry-level OTD program.
For well over a decade, Jerilyn Callen, OTD, OTR, Clinical Associate Professor for the Department of Occupational Therapy in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, has had an interest in mental health. In 2024, she completed the prestigious UC Davis CPE Napa Infant-Parent & Early Childhood Mental Health Fellowship—an intense, 15-month transdisciplinary program for clinical and educational professionals working closely with infants, their families, and caregivers. This specialty training program has been honored with state and national awards.
Kaitlyn Cremer, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, SCLV, CAPS, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Doctoral Capstone in Baylor’s Department of Occupational Therapy, has been appointed as the Occupational Therapy Discipline Coordinator for the Autism Consortium of Texas (ACT) Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program.
Baylor University's Department of Occupational Therapy in Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to announce that Ricardo Altahif OTD, OTR, CHT, Clinical Assistant Professor, has been appointed as President of the Texas Society for Hand Therapy (TSHT) for the 2024-2026 term. This prestigious role underscores his dedication to leadership and his ability to promote advancements in hand therapy that benefit both clients and practitioners.
Since it was established in 2018, Baylor University’s Department of Occupational Therapy has successfully offered a hybrid program with virtual classes and in-person labs. As a result of this commitment to both innovation and excellence, Baylor has quickly become one of the prominent occupational therapy programs in the United States.
The Department of Occupational Therapy in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to introduce a new program offering—the Certificate in Hybrid Teaching for the Occupational Therapy Practitioner. The certificate program is structured to guide students' personal and professional growth to become educational innovators and professional leaders to meet the changing demands of occupational therapy education and the occupational therapy profession.