Kelli Cabrera, OTD, OTR, CHT

Dr. Kelli Cabrera joined the Department of Occupational Therapy at Baylor University in the fall of 2025 as a full-time Lecturer. She earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Health Sciences from Bay Path University, where she also completed both her Master of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees, making her a proud triple alum. Her doctoral studies focused on healthcare administration and leadership within clinical and academic settings.

In 2018, Dr. Cabrera achieved the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential. She has extensive clinical experience across acute rehabilitation and outpatient settings. Dr. Cabrera is most proud of her time serving as an active-duty occupational therapist in the United States Air Force, where she provided care in orthopedic rehabilitation and promoted health and wellness among service members and veterans. She has held multiple leadership positions throughout her career, including clinical director for a large outpatient organization, lead occupational therapist in an outpatient hand therapy clinic, and leadership roles during her military service.

Prior to joining Baylor, Dr. Cabrera served as a full-time faculty member at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, later continuing as adjunct faculty. She also taught at her alma mater, Bay Path University, where she focused on evidence-based practice and capstone mentorship.

Outside of academia, Dr. Cabrera enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, strength training, hiking, watching sports, and exploring new restaurants as a self-proclaimed foodie.

Current Research Interests

• Rehabilitation of the Upper Extremity
• Veteran and First Responder Health and Wellness
• Sleep and Holistic Health