Occupational Therapy (OT)

PT Program Manager

Starr’s career as a physical therapist started in the 70’s.  Her patient care focus has been Out-patient Orthopedics with a special interest in spinal dysfunction.   Because of her passion for treatment of complex lumbar disorders, she was compelled to pursue additional training in Women’s Health/ Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Over the years, Starr has served as PT Director in a state of the art Work Injury Facility, as owner of a private PT Practice in Alabama and as Manager of the UTMB Texas City Out-patient Clinic, which helped prepare  her  for assuming  the position of Program Manager  in the summer of 2017.  She continues to provide patient care in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction on a limited basis.

Cathy serves as the Team Lead of the Galveston Outpatient Clinic.  She has worked in the field of Physical Therapy since 1985 and joined the Rehabilitation Services Department in 1989. In 1997 she received her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from UTMB. During her career, Cathy has provided therapy in a wide variety of settings, including nursing homes, home health, acute care and outpatient.  Her areas of expertise include neurological, geriatric, general orthopedics and wheelchair assessment. Over the years, she has assisted with teaching P.T. labs at the UTMB School of Health Professions and currently participates in the Stroke Support Group and the Pre-Op Boot Camp for Total Joint Replacement.

Allison hails from Buffalo, NY. She completed her undergraduate degree and doctorate of physical therapy degree at Ithaca College in 2016. Allison is a certified athletic trainer (ATC), and served as a coach for Ithaca’s Women’s Cross Country team after graduating. Allison is passionate about athletics, and is currently pursuing certification for orthopedic manual therapy (COMT). In addition to athletes, Ally treats orthopedic, neurological, BBPV/vestibular, and chronic pain diagnoses. She has adjusted well to life in Texas, living close to the beach and eating tacos. Allison also enjoys doing nothing with her cats.

Pat graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from LSU School of Medicine and Allied Health Professions in New Orleans, LA in 1987.  She joined the Outpatient department here at the UTMB Department of Rehabilitation Services full time in 2013. Patricia employs a unique approach to patient education that allows each patient to engage in their recovery by understanding their diagnoses. She develops a program that will take the patient’s care from clinic supervision to an independent home program in order to meet the goals that they set during the initial e valuation and subsequent re-evaluations.

Exercise Physiologist

Tyler has been involved in Strength and Conditioning for over a decade.  His passion for human performance started while he was in the USAF. He then pursued various certifications and completed his Bachelor's degree. The journey has taken him from working one on one with individuals of different backgrounds, to coaching crossfit, and work in a physical therapy clinic.  He is now an Exercise Physiologist at UTMB; involved in strength and conditioning through sports medicine with the rehabilitation services department to focus on performance and injury prevention for athletes. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree.

Patty is a Senior Physical Therapist at the Galveston Outpatient Clinic. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of St. Thomas and a UTMB Master’s in Physical Therapy in 2002. Her career began with UTMB Early Childhood Intervention working with 0-3 y/o with numerous syndromes.  In 2004, she designed and developed a successful Aquatic Physical Therapy program @ St. John’s Hospital. She  provided therapy to the geriatric population in the Home Health setting under Physical Therapy International.  In 2012 she returned to UTMB as an outpatient therapist equipped to guide orthopedic and neurological patients to an improved quality of life. She loves antiques, volunteering for GHF, and expanding her tropical garden.

Kimberly Ward has been working in the field of physical therapy for 30 years. She has been a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant for 28 years, after graduating from Houston Community College in 1991. She received a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M and has a Masters Certification of Manual Therapy. Kim has been at UTMB since 1992 and has worked primarily in outpatient since 1998. Kim works with a variety of diagnoses including geriatric, orthopedic, deconditioning, and neurological. Kim enjoys long walks on the beach, gardening, and dining at fine restaurants.