Reagan Hinsley, OT
Reagan Hinsley is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with extensive experience in skilled nursing and geriatric care. She began her career in 2020 as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), stepping into healthcare during the challenging early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working full-time in skilled nursing facilities, she quickly developed hands-on expertise with geriatric patients, learning the importance of human connection, trust, and personalized care during a period of isolation and uncertainty.
In August 2023, Reagan transitioned to a licensed Occupational Therapist after completing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy through Belmont University’s bridge program. She currently divides her time between Greystone Nursing and Rehab in Searcy, Arkansas, and Searcy High School, traveling between multiple facilities in Searcy and Cabot to provide comprehensive therapy services. Across these settings, she consistently emphasizes dignity, independence, and meaningful engagement for every individual under her care, balancing multiple responsibilities with adaptability and dedication.
Reagan’s passion for occupational therapy was inspired by her mother, a developmental therapist, and further shaped by her own experience as a cancer survivor. This background instilled a deep empathy and understanding that she brings to all patient interactions. Her education and professional achievements include completing the Missouri Health Professions OTA program, earning a master’s degree through Belmont University, and being recognized as a top-three finalist for the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association’s top student award. She is also an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and incorporates her background in fitness and wellness into therapeutic practice.
Beyond her clinical work, Reagan is committed to advocacy and community engagement, serving as a cancer survivor advocate with Relay for Life in Randolph County, Arkansas, since the age of eighteen. Colleagues note her ability to form genuine connections with patients and her unwavering commitment to patient outcomes over administrative constraints. Looking ahead, she plans to establish her own practice, prioritizing individualized care and creative therapeutic approaches. Reagan Hinsley exemplifies the future of occupational therapy: patient-driven, compassionate, and guided by both expertise and empathy.
• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Belmont University, Nashville, TN (Aug 2023 – Aug 2025, bridge program)
• Missouri Health Professions OTA Program, 2019
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) 2020
• Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) 2023
• Top 3 finalist for Arkansas OT Association for the top OT student in Arkansas
• AOTA
• Voice for Relay for Life for Randolph County in Arkansas
• helps organize cancer survivor dinners
• Group fitness instructor teaching classes at 10 Fitness gyms
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Geriatric population
- Skilled nursing evaluations
- Treatment planning
- School-based occupational therapy
- Personalized treatment planning and functional skill development
- Incorporating movement, strength, and wellness into therapy
- Patient advocacy and community-based support
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about practicing occupational therapy is connecting with my patients and learning their life stories. I don’t really view it as “just a job”—I love hearing about their experiences, understanding who they are, and building meaningful relationships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I fell even more in love with my work because residents weren’t allowed visitors. I spent more personal time with them, creating strong connections and helping ease their loneliness. Those relationships are what make my work so rewarding.