Kelly, Cavenaugh, PhD, MS, OTR-L

Biography

Cavenaugh Kelly, PhD, MS, OTR/L, is an associate professor in occupational therapy at Husson University. Kelly has presented, taught, and published his research on the positive influence of literary narratives on the empathy levels of healthcare students internationally and nationally, winning the Global Empathy Award at the 2022 international Global Empathy Conference in London, England, where he was a keynote speaker. At Husson, Kelly was also awarded the Theresa W. Steele award for excellence in teaching research in 2022 and the 2025 Global Scholarship Award. He teaches courses in orthopedics, human movement, ergonomics, wellness, research, and clinical conditions. His clinical background is primarily in home health rehabilitation.

Kelly also has a background as a writer. He was an award-winning print journalist prior to becoming an occupational therapist, and his health-themed fictional short stories have been published in Braided Way, Harmony Magazine, Pulse, Birmingham Arts Journal, Red Wheel Barrel, Toucan, Slice, and other publications.

He lives in Holden, Maine with his wife and son.