News

From the clinic to research to the classroom, Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy alumna Kelly Hochstetler, OTD, OTR, CLT, brings her calling for whole-person care to every aspect of her career. A key part of her impact lies in her specialized work with patients with lymphedema and lipedema. 

Informed by faculty and practitioner expertise, Baylor University’s Clinical Simulation & Skills Facility replicates the aesthetic of contemporary healthcare design and offers students in graduate health professional programs the opportunity to immerse themselves in a realistic medical setting where they can practice skills safely and effectively.

When designing her Occupational Therapy doctoral capstone, recent graduate Shandy Simpson, OTD, OTR, had wanted to explore a topic both personally meaningful to her and underrepresented in occupational therapy research. She chose to partner with Project Healing Waters, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting American veterans through the therapeutic practice of fly fishing. 

Located within the Clinical Simulation & Skills Facility are several state-of-the-art manikins, two of which are affectionately referred to as “Uncle Bill” and “Dr. Wilson” and were provided through the generosity of Mary Jo Robbins. The manikins will enable the highest quality educational experience for graduate students in Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.

In 2025, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences researchers published more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals and publications. View examples from across the College, as well as a selection of grant-funded projects. 

Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences celebrates its 2025 Gold Standard recipients and Pure Gold award winners. These honors recognize faculty and staff for their exceptional contributions to the College through research achievement, teaching excellence, effective service, and/or contributions to building a positive culture.

Baylor OTD alumna Emily Goodspeed completed her capstone at It’s a Sensory World, creating an individualized goal‑tracking tool to help teachers measure sensory strategies for children with special needs. Now an occupational therapist, she continues using personalized, holistic, and sensory‑focused approaches to support children’s progress and independence.

This year marks an exciting milestone as Baylor University's Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) launched an annual advocacy pin fundraiser. The campaign is designed to strengthen the Department's scholarship fund and to celebrate the students' shared mission to elevate the profession through leadership, service, and meaningful engagement.

Baylor University's Barbara M. Doucet, PhD, OTR, Clinical Associate Professor and Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program Director, shares research insights on an industry podcast. She discusses new research examining how LSVT BIG® impacts activities of daily living in people with Parkinson's disease experiencing bradykinesia.

The "secret sauce" for Baylor DPT and OTD's impressive 100% job placement rates? A strong, innovative collaboration with the Baylor Career Center. From orientation through graduation (and beyond), these graduate students receive career coaching, resume and interview preparation, clinical placement support, and AI-driven resources, ensuring employment readiness in competitive healthcare fields.

From groundbreaking academic launches to transformational research and outstanding student successes, 2025 was a remarkable year for Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. With its mission to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing, Robbins College made significant strides across education, research, outreach, and mission. Enjoy these 10 highlights from an exciting year.

On Halloween night, Baylor’s Homecoming at the Hurd Fall Festival buzzed with energy—but for some, the sensory overload was intense—to create an inclusive experience, Baylor Occupational Therapy partnered with the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing to offer a calming sensory room. The space welcomed more than 200 visitors, fostering accessibility and belonging for all Bears.

Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Katie Everson, OTD, OTR, as Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Occupational Therapy. 

In October 2025, Baylor University held a ribbon cutting to unveil its new $5 million Clinical Simulation & Skills Facility. The facility, which integrates cutting-edge technology with immersive training, will provide opportunities for OTD students, as well as graduate students from other programs, to advance their skills in a state-of-the-art lab space.

Regina Gentry, OTD, blends clinical excellence with academic passion. Certified in dementia and neurological care, she brings compassion to her practice and inspiration to classrooms for Baylor's OTD program. Gentry encourages therapists to pursue specialty areas, embrace learning, and stay connected to their occupational therapy purpose.

Erin Hernandez, OTD, OTR, is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist, advancing her expertise through board certification, sensory integration, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder care. She is collaborating in research with a vision therapist and teaches as adjunct faculty for Baylor Occupational Therapy, aspiring to become a full-time professor and lifelong learner in the occupational therapy field.

Jim Stieren, OTD, bringing deep home health experience and a passion for patient education. He’s focused on using self-measurement tools to prevent rehospitalization in heart failure patients, while mentoring future therapists and continuing his academic role as adjunct faculty for Baylor University.

Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences’ hybrid graduate programs are redefining healthcare education—where accessibility meets excellence. Discover 10 powerful reasons why future physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants are choosing Baylor University to launch their careers.  

Ashley Westover was inspired to pursue occupational therapy after witnessing its transformative impact on her brother. While pursuing her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees at Baylor University, she worked with the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing for her capstone project focused on the experience of people with disabilities and the church. Now serving as both a pediatric occupational therapist and a church staff member, Westover integrates her faith and professional expertise to create more inclusive worship environments and advocate for the role of spirituality in holistic care.

Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is pleased to announce the appointments of new faculty across its departments, effective August 2025. 

The Parkinson’s Foundation recently announced the recipients of more than $1 million in community grants for Parkinson’s disease (PD) programs across the United States. As a part of these awards, Baylor University's Barbara Doucet, PhD, OTR, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, was awarded $11,000 for "Walking & Talking & Flourishing: Optimizing Well-Being in Persons with Parkinson’s."

In an effort to better equip faculty with the skills necessary to foster mentor-mentee relationships, Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences has partnered with the Baylor Graduate School to design and facilitate a pilot mentor training workshop. 

Each year, more than 300,000 visitors pass through Cameron Park Zoo's entrance—making it the second-most visited attraction in Waco, Texas—and with so many guests passing through its gates, the zoo is striving to become more inclusive. It has enlisted the expertise of Baylor University’s Department of Occupational Therapy, expanding the reach of the occupational therapy profession into spaces not traditionally seen. 

The playground is more than just a space to have fun—it’s where children get exercise, explore their imagination, and learn how to navigate emotions and social situations. However, many traditional play environments aren’t designed with different abilities in mind, preventing some children from accessing and engaging in play. That’s what Baylor University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) alumna Ariel Mansholt, OTD, OTR, CPSI is working to change as an inclusive play specialist. 

For Ariel Mansholt, OTD, OTR, CPSI, her capstone project with Landscape Structures, Inc., developed into a professional career after graduation. Now, as an Inclusive Play Specialist, she designs and advocates for play areas that meet the needs of children of all ages and abilities. 

When Celina Hawthorne, OTR, OTD, set out to establish her own clinic in rural East Texas—Grace in Motion Rehab—she knew she wanted to center it on holistic rehabilitation founded in faith. Each client who walks through the doors receives a treatment plan that is guided in faith, while addressing emotional, physical, and social wellness. 

As a pediatric occupational therapist, Benjamin De Leon, OTD, OTR, has the privilege of working with children and young adults, assisting each person to achieve their greatest independence in self-care tasks in the home and skills needed to enhance participation in meaningful activities at school. 

As higher education costs continue to rise across the nation, Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences has announced the launch of a new scholarship initiative designed to support incoming students in the College’s online and hybrid graduate programs.

Following the launch of Baylor University’s Strategic Plan, Baylor in Deeds, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences promptly began work on its own unit-level plan. Using its strategic Signature Research Initiatives as a foundation—along with input from College-wide surveys, departmental conversations, stakeholder discussions, and leadership deliberations— the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences 2024-2030 Strategic Plan was born.

Just a short drive from Newport Beach sits an old barn flanked by peaceful indoor and outdoor spaces, bamboo forests, and friendly dogs—aptly named, Barn Life Recovery has resided as a holistic rehabilitation center since 2018—providing community-based treatment for individuals living with mood disorders. Among the center’s practitioners is Baylor University alumna Polly Sweitzer, OTD, OTR/L, who serves as the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) in mental health. 

The Do No Harm event, an interprofessional educational initiative hosted by Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences’ Interprofessional Education Committee, was designed to prepare healthcare students for real-world challenges. Held in March 2025, the virtual event engaged students and professionals from across healthcare disciplines, allowing them a unique opportunity to learn how to navigate complex medical scenarios involving patient safety, compassion, and collaboration across fields. 

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences internal seed funding award recipients! In addition to the Robbins College Research Program, this year saw the introduction of two new internal funding programs: the Pedagogical Scholarship Award Program and the Dr. Mike and Mrs. Micki Maris Endowed Seed Fund for Student Research.

When Marcus Gallegos set out to open his own occupational therapy practice, it wasn’t just about providing treatment, it was about transforming care. Inspired by a deep commitment to client empowerment and health literacy, he envisioned a practice that addressed not just traditional rehabilitation but also the unique challenges faced by his community.

For Polly Sweitzer, occupational therapy has become a powerful tool in mental health intervention, and she’s pushing the boundaries of what OT can accomplish in this space. Currently, she works four days a week at Barn Life Recovery, an integrative mental health program, while also managing a caseload of 10 private clients. 

For Kelsey Karr, life since graduation has been a whirlwind of professional growth and personal milestones. She is currently working at UTMB Galveston, a Level One Trauma Center, where she thrives in the acute care setting, primarily treating adults but also working with pediatrics and the prison population. 

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. 

With the New Year in sight, it is time to reflect back on the significant developments and exciting happenings from the past year for Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. In no particular order, check out these 10 highlights from Robbins College’s 2024 year in review.

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.

As Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences celebrates its 10-year anniversary, take a look back at its programs' histories, learn more about modern growth, and hear about the future of one of Baylor University’s fastest growing academic unit.

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.

Alumni of Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences are striving to improve health access and quality of life within their communities. While their professions differ, they all lead with a desire to “love thy neighbor” and to make an impact for those in need.

In 2023, Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences researchers published more than 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals and publications. Here we share examples of publications from across the College, as well as a selection of grant-funded projects from the last year—all supporting and strengthening the Robbins College Signature Research Initiatives. 

In his Fall 2022 semester kickoff address to College faculty and staff, Jason R. Carter, PhD, Dean of Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, described his vision for developing a culture within the College that emphasizes valuing employees and encouraging collaboration. One of the ways these priorities took shape was through the launch of the Robbins College Pure Gold initiative.

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.

Faculty in Baylor University's Department of Occupational Therapy are also talented researchers and scholars. Here are a few highlights from throughout the year:

Teresa Fair-Field, OTD, OTR/L, Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor University, leads an NIH-funded initiative to pioneer a smartphone-based developmental screener. This innovative app aims to detect critical motor markers in infants' first year, aiding families in early identification of developmental risks.

The Department of Occupational Therapy utilizes virtual reality technology as an education tool, integrated within three courses. Students virtually engage patients at a hospital, during a home assessment, and in a community setting.

Baylor University's upcoming Hybrid Teaching Certificate program is designed for any occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who desires to develop the skills to teach in a hybrid classroom. The program is currently seeking final approvals from the University and scheduled to launch Fall 2024

In December 2023, the Department of Occupational Therapy celebrated the graduation of its second cohort of practitioners, including 72 Entry-level and 18 Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduates.

After passing the CHSE® exam, Kirsten Davin, OTD, OTR, ATP, SMS, CAPS, Clinical Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in Baylor University's Department of Occupational Therapy, has been recognized as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator® (CHSE®).

With the New Year in sight, it is time to reflect back on the significant developments and exciting happenings from the past year for Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. Read more about 10 highlights from Robbins College’s 2023 year in review.

Baylor University's Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program provides extensive opportunities for Fieldwork and Capstone experiences, reflecting its national scope as a hybrid OTD program. The program offers more than 5,500 clinical education locations across the United States.

Baylor Occupational Therapy is set to launch its Alumni Group in 2024. The group will offer a range of opportunities for graduates to engage with and give back to the Baylor community. 

For Hispanic Heritage Month, Baylor's Robbins College is highlighting a few of our outstanding Hispanic and Latino Americans Bears. Dr. Ricardo Altahif is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Occupational Therapy who champions the importance of underrepresented minorities, particularly Hispanic and Latinos, to the profession and practice of occupational therapy.

On August 8, 2023, Jason R. Carter, PhD, celebrates his one-year anniversary as Dean of the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University. In this Q&A, Dean Carter shares his reflections on this past year along with his hopes and vision for the future.

Effective July 1, 2023, Ricardo Altahif, OTD, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy (OTD), has been appointed to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) for a three-year term.

Using skills developed from her coursework and with the support of her faculty instructor, Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy student Jenna Fanelli partnered with her physical therapist colleague to apply for—and receive—a grant to further collaboration between their two professions.

Dr. Susan Blair,  Clinical Assistant Professor, recently published a journal article titled "Influencing Perception of Frailty Risk in Urban and Rural Older Adults." 

Lauren Reightler, OTD, is a 2021 graduate of Baylor University's Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program and serves as an Occupational Therapist at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Lauren was recently honored with The Bill and Nancy Mason Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Rehabilitation Services in recognition of her efforts to launch an interdisciplinary post-intensive care unit (ICU) clinic to better support patients transitioning from the ICU back home.

Learn more about the profession of occupational therapy, what occupational therapists do, who they work with, and why this might just be the career for you.

Baylor University's Department Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is proud to announce the candidacy of Kirsten Davin, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, SMS, for AOTA‘s Academic Leadership Council - Academic Fieldwork Coordinator Chairperson. Dr. Davin is a Clinical Assistant Professor within Baylor University's OTD program and is highly experienced in the academic and clinical realms of occupational therapy. 

Bridget Scheidler, Clinical Assistant Professor , recently published an article in the Rehab Management, titled, “ALS Home Modification: The Time is Now. ”

Teresa Fair-Field, who serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor for Baylor University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, recently co-authored an article in the Early Human Development March 2023 issue.

Baylor University Post Professional OTD Program Director, Dr. Kayla Collins, MOT, EdD, OTR/L, has recently been appointed as a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) Programme Reviewer for new international educational programs.

With over four decades of combined experience in occupational therapy practice, what drove Katie Brown, Jen Gunn, and Anne Bradley to return to school to earn their Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees? For each, a desire to train and equip the next generation of occupational therapists was a significant part of the equation. So today, these three occupational therapists find themselves enrolled in the Post-professional OTD program in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.

Barbara Doucet recently published an article in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy titled, “Occupational Therapy to Improve Activities of Daily Living of People With Parkinson’s Disease.” 

Baylor Department of Occupational Therapy is pleased to announce that Kelly Layne, OTD, MOT, OTR/L has accepted the position of OTD Director of Admissions and will be joining the department leadership team effective immediately.

The Baylor University Department of Occupational Therapy would like to extend a warm welcome to Ricardo Altahif, OTD, OTR, CHT, who joined the Department in January 2022 as Clinical Assistant Professor.

The Baylor University Department of Occupational Therapy would like to extend a warm welcome to Jose Rafols, EdD, OTD, MHSA, OTR/L, BCTS, who joined the Department in January 2022 as Clinical Lecturer.

The Baylor University Department of Occupational Therapy would like to extend a warm welcome to Jana Hickman, OTD, OTR/L, who joined the Department in January 2022 as Clinical Lecturer.

In this letter to friends, faculty, staff, students, and supporters, Department Chair Marian Gillard shares a number of highlights for Baylor's Department of Occupational Therapy throughout the 2022 year.

Faculty in Baylor University's Department of Occupational Therapy are more than gifted teachers and occupational therapy practitioners. They are also talented researchers and scholars. The 2022 calendar year was marked by an exceptional surge of scholarly work by the Occupational Therapy faculty. Here are a few highlights from throughout the year.

Thanks to a last name that is alphabetically first in line, Kellam Addison McQuitty will become the very first Entry-level OTD graduate when she crosses the commencement stage. In this Q&A, Kellam shares about her experience as a student and the foundational contributions she and her classmates made to an already exceptional occupational therapy program.

The Department of Occupational Therapy in Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences received notice in August that the department’s entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree has received full accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

From Kingdom building to sleeping horses to cheering on the Baylor Bears, get to know Jason R. Carter, PhD, new Dean of the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University, in this Q&A.