Meet the Residency Program Staff

Lindsay Allen DPT, MBA, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT is an Assistant Professor of instruction and Assistant Director of Clinical Education for the DPT Program in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Dr. Allen received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Nova Southeastern University and her Master in Business Administration at West Texas A&M University. She is dual Board Certified in Orthopedics and Sports and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedics and Manual Physical Therapy.

Dr. Allen maintains an active faculty practice in Outpatient Pelvic Floor and Orthopedics and is on faculty with UTMB’s Orthopedic Residency programs as well as mentoring Fellows-In-Training in the clinic.

Benjamin D. Brightwell, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT, PhD(c) is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Dr. Brightwell is also researcher for the UTMB Center for Health Promotion, Performance, and Rehabilitation Research (CHPPRR). He is a board-certified Orthopedic Specialist and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. He received his DPT from UTMB and is completing his PhD at The University of Kentucky.

Director of the Orthopedic PT Residency

Chad Davenport, PT, DPT, SCS, has been at UTMB since 2000 and now serves as Clinical Supervisor for the outpatient sports medicine clinic on the UTMB League City campus. He received a Bachelor’s of Exercise and Sports Science with a Biology minor from Southwest Texas State University in 2000. He then received his Master’s and Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2007 and 2011 respectively. He had dual APTA Board Certifications in Orthopedics and Sports while also holding a Certification in Strength and Conditioning through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Dr. Davenport continues to be the Director of the Orthopedic Residency since its founding in 2013 and was chosen as UTMB’s School of Health Professions Distinguished Alumni for 2022.

Memrie D. Ferguson PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the LeTourneau University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Ferguson also completed orthopedic residency training from the University of Texas Medical Branch and an Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship from the OPTIM Manual Therapy.

In addition to academic roles, Dr. Ferguson remains involved with advanced professional education through teaching and clinical mentorship within the UTMB Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency and the OPTIM Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship.

Luis Guajardo PT, DPT, OCS is a member of our residency faculty, bringing some knowledge and experience to our program. They earned their undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) while also working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He then went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Luis is a proud graduate of the UTMB Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency, showcasing their dedication to excellence in orthopedics. He also is working on his Fellowship with OPTIM. He contributed significantly to the field in sports medicine through their work at Texas Children's Hospital prior to moving back to UTMB. Luis is committed to shaping the future of orthopedic professionals and providing guidance to our residents and UTMB students alike with his adjunct professor role.

Clinical Coordinator of Orthopedic PT Residency

Kaitlin Hunt, PT, DPT, OCS is Clinic Supervisor at the UTMB Clear Lake clinic site in Webster, TX and is a returning UTMB Orthopedic Residency Trained Alumnus (2016-2017). She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University in 2011 and is an APTA certified clinical instructor with additional certification in dry needling. Kaitlin has practiced the majority of her career in outpatient orthopedic settings with experience in Acute and Inpatient rehabilitation settings. Her strength lies in diversity of experience as she has practiced in settings across the country; with a variety of experience, Kaitlin’s focus has remained in orthopedics with her pursuit of residency training and Orthopedic Specialist Certification.  Within the residency program, Kaitlin serves as a clinical faculty mentor with occasional teaching roles and has also stepped into the role as Clinical Coordinator for the residency program.  Kaitlin is pursuing further learning and growing in leadership within the profession in her current role as a clinic supervisor and also clinically as a fellow in training for her Fellowship in Manual Therapy Certification. Outside of clinic she enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.    

Curriculum Coordinator of the Orthopedic PT Residency

Janna M. McGaugh, ScD, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, is the Associate Chair of Academics, Program Director of the Residential DPT program and an Associate Professor (tenure) in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University, a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, and a Doctor of Science degree from Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

Dr. McGaugh is an APTA Orthopedic Certified Specialist and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists. Dr. McGaugh's teaching responsibilities include orthopedic evaluation and treatment in the DPT and orthopedic residency program.

Connor O’Brien PT, DPT, OCS is a staff physical therapist within the Department of Rehabilitation at UTMB and faculty member within the UTMB Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2018 and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from UTMB in 2021. He completed the UTMB Orthopedic Residency the following year in 2022 and obtained an APTA Board certification in Orthopedics. As a faculty member of the UTMB Orthopedic Residency he serves as clinical mentor while assisting with didactic content. Connor is committed to giving back to the profession and furthering his skill sets in orthopedics, vestibular rehabilitation, and mentorship for learners at multiple stages.

Jeanne M. Smith, DPT, PT, OCS, SCS, MTC, STC is an Assistant Professor of Instruction and the Director of Clinical Education for the PTA to DPT Bridge Program in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Dr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Clinical Science/Physical Therapy and a Master of Clinical Science/Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. She earned her transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine (USA), St. Augustine, FL. Dr. Smith is a dual Board Certified Orthopaedic and Sports Clinical Specialist. She has her Manual Therapy and Sports Therapy Certifications (MTC and STC) from USA.

Dr. Smith directs clinical education and teaches musculoskeletal content in the Residential and Bridge PTA to DPT Programs. She also teaches and mentors residents enrolled in UTMB’s Orthopedic Residency Program.