Merrine Klakeel, D.O.

Merrine Klakeel, D.O., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in treating spasticity, wound care, and complications related to spinal cord injury.

Dr. Klakeel earned her medical degree at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Baylor University Medical Center. She received advanced training in spinal cord injury through a fellowship at UT Southwestern.

Board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation with a subspecialty in spinal cord injury medicine, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2015.

At UT Southwestern, Dr. Klakeel is the Course Director for medical student rotations in neurorehabilitation and wound care in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She serves on the Intrathecal Pump Management and Safety Committee, the Spasticity Clinical Curriculum Committee, and Outpatient Clinical Practice Committees for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Therapy.

She is also the Lead Physician for the Parkland Health Spinal Cord Injury Clinic.

Dr. Klakeel is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals, and the Texas Medical Association.

A co-investigator on several clinical trials, Dr. Klakeel conducts research focused on medical education, spasticity, and wound care. Her recent publications include Practical Guide for Botulinum Toxin Injections, a pocket guide for clinicians.