Kelli Olmsted was born and raised in small town North Dakota. She has two siblings, an older brother and younger sister. Kelli attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, where she studied Occupational Therapy. She graduated in December of 2003 with a master’s in Occupational Therapy and a minor in Business Management. Kelli did most of her clinical rotations in the Black Hills and moved here permanently in 2003.
Kelli has been working as an Occupational Therapist for the past 18+ years at skilled living facilities. Although the therapy companies changed, she was at the same facility, Bella Vista/Avantara Saint Cloud, for the length of her career. Through her years there, Kelli was a strong advocate for those who suffered from Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and she wore many hats including staff OT, clinical specialist in Dementia and Sensory Integration, clinical instructor, mentor, and Director of Rehab. In addition to these many roles, she has written and often presented on the topic of sensory integration and dementia.
Kelli has attended a variety of continuing education courses to ensure she is able to provide for and serve her patients to the best of her abilities, while providing a holistic approach. She has also earned certification for Lymphedema and continues to focus on learning and furthering her skills and practice.
Kelli and her husband, Bryan, have two energetic boys, Blake and Kade. She spends much of her spare time watching and cheering them on at their many sporting events, which include basketball, baseball, track, and golf. She also enjoys hiking with friends and family in and around the Black Hills and is often accompanied by her dog, Kimber.