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.

Ben is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a proud alumnus of UTMB (Class of 2016). He has advanced training in orthopedics as a graduate of UTMB’s Orthopedic Residency and is now completing the OPTIM Manual Therapy Fellowship. He is particularly interested in treatment of the spine as well as vestibular disorders including management and treatment of concussion. Ben is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, equipping him with the knowledge and skills to meet the performance needs of a wide variety of patients ranging from competitive athletes to our beloved geriatric population.

Kimberly Ha earned her Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2015 after completing her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University of Texas in Austin. Kim joined the UTMB Rehabilitation Department in 2016.  She works with a wide variety of patients ranging from neurological conditions to orthopedic injuries to help them reach their goals of improved function and independence in daily living activities. Kimberly also performs home safety evaluations to decrease patient’s risk of falling, and presents UTMB’s Total Joint Replacement “Boot Camp.” Kim enjoys spending time with her family and rescue dog, Knox.

Lindsay earned her doctorate in physical therapy in 2008 from Nova Southeastern University in 2008. Thereafter, she managed an outpatient orthopedic clinic from 2008-2010 in San Diego, California. After moving to Texas in 2010, she completed her Orthopedic Residency training from The Methodist Hospital and became board certified in orthopedics in 2012. She continued at The Methodist Hospital as faculty teaching in both their Orthopedic and Sports Residency Programs. In 2014, she completed her fellowship training and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapy. Lindsay has had the opportunity join UTMB in 2013 to help develop, teach and mentor for their Orthopedic Residency program. She recently became a board Certified Sports Specialist. Currently, Lindsay is working with OPTIM Manual Therapy Fellowship to mentor Manual Therapy Fellows as well as develop a Sports Residency at UTMB. Lindsay has extensive experience in professional dance, figure competition as an athlete as well as specialty treatment.

She now treats pelvic health conditions at both the Galveston and League City locations!

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.

Patrick Riley is a Senior Physical Therapist, a local product of Clear Creek HS and an Air Force Veteran. He was a 1 year walk-on at the University of Houston Football team in 2005 and graduated with a BS in Kinesiology 2007,  then graduated with his DPT from UTMB in 2010. He is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist, Fellow in the American Academy of Ortho and Manual Physical Therapists, SFMA certified, and Level 1 Olympic Weightlifting Coach.

Pat enjoys not falling when skate boarding and Marvel over DC comics in spare time.

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.