Cristina Reyes Smith

Cristina Reyes Smith is an Associate Professor in the College of Health Professions Division of Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She serves as the current Vice President (2024 to present) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and has held various national leadership roles including Director on the AOTA Board (2020-2023) and Editorial Board member of the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education (2020-2024).

Dr. Smith earned her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in 2010, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy with Honors from MUSC in 2006, and Bachelor of Arts in Art History with Minor in Chemistry from College of Charleston in 2000. Her educational background includes additional coursework in Disabilities Studies, Global Health, and Graduate Teaching in the 21st Century.

Her academic focus centers on Healthcare Leadership and Management, Health Professions Education and Advocacy, and Occupational Therapy Practice and Program Development with Children and Youth. With nearly 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Smith has developed expertise in community health promotion, program development, and leadership development with a specific focus on improving access to care. She has conducted presentations and published manuscripts across the United States and internationally.

Dr. Smith has received numerous prestigious awards including the CHP Excellence in Service Faculty Award (2024), Roster of Fellows of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) Award (2023), and recognition as one of 'The Top 50 Women Leaders of South Carolina for 2022' by Women We Admire. She has been nominated multiple times for the MUSC Earl B. Higgins University Award and has received the Emily L. Moore and J. Herman Blake Award for Pioneer Volunteer Faculty Leaders.

In her academic role, Dr. Smith teaches courses on Leadership & Management, advises student organizations, and mentors doctoral capstone project students in both Entry-Level and Post-Professional OTD programs. She has served as Chair of the CHP Faculty Assembly (2023-2024), Chair of the MUSC Faculty Senate Institutional Advancement Committee (2021-2023), and Co-Director of the HRSA-MUSC Occupational Therapy Scholarship program (2020 to present).

Dr. Smith previously founded and served as Business Development Coordinator for Vida Bella Services, LLC (2012-2020), a pediatric agency providing early intervention and outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy services with a strong focus on improving access to quality care in local and surrounding rural communities.