Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Faculty 2023-2024

Alisha Bogan PT, DPT

Alisha Bogan graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. In 2006, she received her master’s in physical therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (UTMB). Alisha worked for six years in the acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings before completing her transitional-doctorate of physical therapy in 2013 from UTMB. She is currently a therapist at Harris Health System’s Ben Taub Hospital and has been an adjunct faculty member for the Neurologic Physical Therapy Program. Her interest is in patients with strokes and traumatic brain injuries. She plans to pursue a certification in neurology from the American Physical Therapy Association in the near future.

Laurie Bramlett PT, DPT, NCS

Laurie Bramlett is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in psychology. She received her Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and is board certified by the APTA as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Laurie has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings and specializes in the treatment of spinal cord injury and brain injury. She currently serves as the Site Coordinator for Clinical Education (SCCE) for the rehabilitation department at Harris Health System and as faculty on both the Orthopaedic and Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Programs.

Wayne Brewer PT, PhD, MPH, OCS, CSCS

Wayne Brewer graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991 with a B.S. in Physical Therapy and a Master’s in Public Health in 1995. Dr. Brewer practiced for over 20 years in a variety of different treatment settings includes acute and long term care, home health but the majority of his patient care was in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine. Dr. Brewer became board certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 1999 and re-certified in 2009. Dr. Brewer received a Ph.D in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2014. Currently he is an Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Texas Woman’s University where he teaches courses in Exercise Physiology, Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise. His research interests are in physical activity measurement and promotion, the factors that affect physical activity in individuals with chronic pain and obesity. He has several peer-reviewed publications, state and national presentations in his research areas of interest. Dr. Brewer teaches the research module in the Harris Health System’s Orthopedic and Neurological Residency programs and coordinates the capstone projects for the entire residency staff.

Alicia M. Madrid Danto PT, DPT, NCS

Alicia M. Madrid Danto graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 where she studied Biology and Spanish. She then returned home to Texas to attend the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. After graduating with her doctorate in physical therapy, she was accepted into the Harris Health Neurologic Residency Program for 2015-2016. She stayed on the team to work in the neurologic outpatient setting and became board certified in neurology during the summer of 2017. She then joined the residency faculty with teaching classes in neuroanatomy and primary care. She also began leading the neurologic module for the orthopedic residency and working as a mentor for the outpatient module. In spring 2019, she received her certificate of competency in vestibular rehabilitation and began teaching the vestibular classes for the residency. She and two other Harris Health faculty members, Lora Walker and Habeeblai Adewale, taught a 2-day CEU course on concussion in the spring of 2020 and continue to develop the concussion aspects of both residency programs. She is currently the Supervisor for the Outpatient Neurologic team at Fournace Place Rehab.

Meredith Franklin PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA

Meredith Franklin, PT, MPT, GCS, CEEAA is a Senior Physical Therapist at Harris Health System at Ben Taub General Hospital. She received a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in 2007. She received her clinical specialization in Geriatrics from the APTA in 2011 as well as Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults through the American Physical Therapy Association Section on Geriatrics in 2011. She completed her transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UTMB in 2014 . She was the first Physical Therapist to complete the Scholar in Aging for Physical Therapy Program ( UTMB East Texas Geriatric Education Center – Consortium in partnership with the Texas Area Health Education Centers East) in 2014. She is also a Certified Master Trainer for Matter of Balance and participates in many community-based fall prevention classes around the Houston area. She has been involved with the Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Geriatric Physical Therapy, and Neurological Physical Therapy residencies at Harris Health System since 2008.

Stephanie Hessel PT, DPT, NCS

Stephanie Hessel graduated from Louisiana State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 2010. She has been working at Harris Health System since 2010 and has experience with both outpatient neurologic and inpatient neurologic settings and specializes in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation. In 2011 she became certified by the Neuro-IFRAH Organization in the Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation Approach to the Treatment and Management of Adults with Hemiplegia from Stroke or Brain Injury. Stephanie became a board certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy in 2014. Her interests are in stroke and neuroanatomy. She has presented at several conferences, including TPTA and CSM. She is currently the Neurologic Residency Program Director and Rehab Services Manager for Harris Health System since 2016. She also enjoys professional service through active involvement on the Southeastern District of the TPTA, Accreditation Services Committee for the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) and the United Spinal Association: Houston Chapter.

Sophie Rhines Grosscope PT, DPT, NCS

Sophie Rhines Grosscope graduated from Tulane University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a secondary major in Dance. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2021 from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA. Following graduation, she returned home to Houston and was accepted into the Harris Health Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency for the 2021-2022 cycle. From there, she stayed on as outpatient PT faculty at Fournace Place and is involved in the residency program. She became board-certified as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist in 2023.

Eric Reyes PT, DPT, NCS

Eric Reyes graduated from the University of Houston in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. He received his doctorate in physical therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2013. He is board certified in neurologic PT since 2016. In addition to treating various neurologic diagnoses, he is also heavily involved with the amputee population at Harris Health System and was previously involved in the PM&R amputee clinic. He was awarded Clinical Instructor of the Year in 2015 and continues to serve as a clinical instructor for the student program. As faculty for the Neurologic PT residency at Harris Health System, he is actively involved in mentoring and teaching. He has presented at ACSM’s Annual Meeting and APTA’s CSM. Beginning in 2022, he became Associated Faculty for Tufts University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, assisting with the Prosthetics and Orthotics Lab.

Adrienne Meier PT, DPT, NCS

Adrienne Meier, PT, DPT, NCS graduated from East Texas Baptist University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2013 from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Adrienne has worked in inpatient rehab in the Harris Health System and now in the acute setting with a focus on early mobilization of individuals in the neuro ICU. She serves as a mentor and teaches several Primary Care classes. She is board certified as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist and is currently the Rehab Services Supervisor at Ben Taub Hospital.

Tabitha Jackson PT, DPT, NCS, WCC

Tabitha Jackson graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2009 with Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology-Exercise Science. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Central Arkansas in 2012. She completed a Neurological Residency Program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2013. She is currently the Manager for Acute Care Therapy Services for Ben Taub Hospital. She has served as adjunct faculty for the Harris Health System Neurological Residency Program for 3 years in the Spinal Cord Module and now in the Acute Care Module of the residency program. She received the Neurological Clinical Specialist Certification (NCS) in 2014 and Wound Care Certification (WCC) in 2015. Tabitha’s clinical interest includes brain injury, spinal cord, and wound care for individuals with neurological impairment.

Eileen Tseng Stultz PT, DPT, NCS

Eileen Tseng Stultz, PT, DPT first joined Harris Health System in 2008 as a clinical physical therapist at Quentin Mease Hospital. Since her initial hire, Dr. Tseng Stultz has left and returned to Harris Health assuming new roles. She has served as the rehab supervisor for the inpatient rehab and skilled nursing units and now as an accreditation specialist in the Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs Dept. Dr. Tseng Stultz received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and graduated from The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Neurologic Residency Program. She has performed patient care in acute, inpatient rehab, and outpatient rehab, served as faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas and was the Director of Rehab in a for-profit rehab hospital. She became a Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist in 2011. Dr. Tseng Stultz's professional involvement includes being a member of the ABPTRFE accreditation service committee and candidacy review council, the practice committee for the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, and the APTA SCIEDGE Taskforce. She has co-presented platform and poster presentations at state and national levels.

Lora Walker PT

Lora Walker has her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas Woman’s University with a minor in Dance. In 2003, she received a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University here in Houston. Lora further earned a Neurologic Certified Specialist certification from the American Physical Therapy Association in 2007.

Laura Wiggs PT, NCS, CBIS

Laura Wiggs received a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from the School of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas in August 1991. Prior to joining the Harris Health System team, she helped develop the clinical program for Mentis Neuro Health, and oversaw the quality of the clinical programs from 2007 - 2017. She also worked as a physical therapist at the Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Challenge Program from June 2002 until May 2007. She also served as clinical assistant manager and physical therapy supervisor for the Brain Injury Team during her time at TIRR beginning in 1992. Laura started her career in neuro at UTMB Hospital in 1991.

Laura is a board certified clinical specialist in neurological physical therapy by the American Physical Therapy Association. She is also a certified brain injury specialist, and is NDT certified. Her professional activities include committee membership in the Texas Physical Therapy Association as well as membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and APTA Neurology Section.

In addition to her clinical activities, she is a guest lecturer for the University of Texas Medical Branch School Of Health Professionals since 2002. She has lectured nationally and internationally on topics such as Predicting Functional Outcomes, Comprehensive Management of Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury, Managing the Agitated Patient and Hypertonicity Management. She has published several articles on the subject of hypertonicity in such publications as Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. Laura is also a reviewer for Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Carolyn Da Silva PT, DSc, NCS

Carolyn Da Silva teaches primarily in the neurological rehabilitation sequence in the entry-level/professional and post-professional programs at Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests are in aging with a disability and people with post-polio syndrome. Her clinical practice is as a consultant in the post-polio clinic at TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation and Research and in the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital - Texas Medical Center.

Chelsea Belvan PT, DPT, NCS

Chelsea Bevan earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University at College Station in 2015. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Angelo State University in 2018. Since graduating, she has worked in the acute care setting at Ben Taub Hospital with a passion for acute neurological and ICU rehabilitation. She was also part of the team that initiated physical therapy services in the emergency department. Her interests are traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and acute vestibular pathologies which led her to become certified as a Neurological Clinical Specialist in 2023.

L. John Kertz PT, NCS

L. John Kertz graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. He received his Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 1997. John began his career as a traveling physical therapist, working in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings encompassing both neurologic and orthopedic patients. Since 2000, John has specialized in spinal cord injury at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical center, working with veterans in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. John received his certification as a Neurologic Certified Specialist (NCS) from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2012.

Todd Klekar PT, DPT, NCS

Dr. Todd Klekar is a board-certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy, a graduate of the TIRR Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Program, and has been a practicing physical therapist for the past 10 years with a specific focus on gait rehabilitation in individuals post stroke. Dr. Klekar serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Tufts University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, and is mentor for the Harris Health Systems Neurologic Residency Program. For the past 6 years he has helped develop and serves as a primary speaker for TIRR Memorial Hermann’s annual pathological gait analysis course that is attended by both physical therapy neurologic residents and practicing physical therapy clinicians. In 2020, Dr. Klekar was awarded Excellence in Clinical Practice by the TPTA Southeastern District.