NEUROLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY RESIDENTS

Harris Health NEUROLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY RESIDENTS

Maryam Buazza, PT, DPT

Neurologic Physical Therapy Resident

About: Maryam Buazza, a Houston native, has dedicated her life to soccer since the age of 3. Her talent and commitment earned her a division-1 scholarship to play at the College of Charleston, where she also completed a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. During her freshman year, a devastating injury challenged her career, but with the help of physical therapy, Maryam overcame adversity to complete her collegiate career. This experience ignited her passion for rehabilitation and recovery.

Post-college, Maryam expanded her soccer career internationally, playing for the Libyan Women’s National Team and leading them in their first African Cup. She also co-founded a youth soccer program in Houston, where she found joy in helping young players realize their potential.

Driven by a desire to impact lives beyond the soccer field, Maryam transitioned to physical therapy. Her journey began at The University of Texas at El Paso, where she developed a deep interest in neurology. The relationship between the brain and movement, and the potential for neuroplasticity after injury, captivated her. This passion solidified during her time at Harris Health, where she witnessed neuroplasticity in action.

Maryam is excited to join Harris Health’s neuro residency program, attracted by its patient population, mentorship, and professional opportunities. She believes this program will lay a strong foundation for her career and enable her to make a meaningful impact on individuals with neurological disorders. Her ultimate goal is to either start or contribute to a non-profit organization providing rehabilitative services to refugees overseas. Maryam is confident that Harris Health will provide the nurturing environment she needs to achieve these aspirations.

Roberto Cruz, PT, DPT

About: Roberto, also known as Robby, was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where his journey into the world of physical therapy began long before he realized it. At a young age, he witnessed his father endure the challenges of a stroke. It wasn’t until years later that Robby learned about the extensive neurologic physical therapy that his dad underwent, setting the foundation for his future career. Robby’s path then took a significant turn in high school when his younger sister experienced a spinal cord injury. The intensive therapy sessions she faced opened Robby’s eyes to the profound impact rehabilitation specialists can have on individuals and their families. He saw firsthand how their unwavering support could transform struggles into triumphs through hope and resilience, lighting the way for a brighter future.

Robby attended Houston Baptist University and continued his education at Texas Woman’s University, where he received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. During his clinical rotations at Harris Health as a student, Robby found his calling among the vibrant and diverse community of Harris County. He fell in love with the people he served, each encounter deepening his commitment to those who often face barriers in accessing care. It was here that he realized the profound privilege of being able to make a difference in the lives of underserved populations. While he once envisioned a future in the visual arts, the experiences with his family redirected his passion toward physical therapy. Unexpectedly, Robby found that physical therapy allowed him to channel his creativity into developing personalized treatment plans that catered to each patient's unique needs.

Following his residency, Robby aims to become a Board-Certified Neurologic Physical Therapy Specialist. He believes in the power of lifelong learning to provide the highest quality care for his patients. Drawing on his family’s experiences, he strives to approach each case with empathy and compassion, striving to bring comfort and hope to those in need. Outside of his professional life, Robby likes to relax through various creative outlets, such as sketching and painting. Listening to music and collecting vinyl, thrifting with friends, and spending quality time with his family and dog bring him fulfillment and balance. For Robby, every day is an opportunity to blend creativity with compassion, enriching the lives of his patients while honoring the journeys of his father and little sister.

Morgan Glick

Hometown: Boerne, TX

About: Morgan was born and raised in Boerne, Texas before moving to east Texas to play soccer at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches. After undergrad, she went to Iceland to play a season at the professional level before continuing her education at Texas A&M, earning her Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology. She worked as an exercise physiologist with patients with cardiac and pulmonary conditions for a couple of years, where she realized her true passion was in physical therapy.

Morgan has always lived and enjoyed an active lifestyle, embracing the philosophy of exercise as medicine. As she worked with more and more patients, she saw the need for helping people with various injuries optimize the way they moved to not only improve their physical health, but to be able to do the things they loved and increase their quality of life. Morgan’s mom had lived with paraplegia following a spinal cord injury since before she was born, and when Morgan decided to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy, she knew she wanted to help people like her mom who had suffered life changing neurological injuries.

Throughout her time as a DPT student at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, her passion for serving the underserved was deepened through the culture of service there that fostered a multitude of volunteer and pro bono opportunities in the community. As PT school went on, Morgan knew she wanted to find a position after school that would allow her to serve the community and the neurologic patient population, all while becoming the best provider she could be, making the Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency at Harris Health the perfect fit for her goals.

Jocelyn Davila, PT, DPT

Hometown: Boerne, TX

About: Jocelyn was born and raised in Houston, TX and attended the University of Houston (Go Coogs!) prior to moving out to San Antonio to complete her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at UT Health Science Center San Antonio. She is immensely proud to represent her family’s sacrifices, dedication, and commitment to creating a foundation for success, as a first generation graduate. She realized her love for the neurologic patient population while being a program coordinator for Adaptive Athletics at the University of Houston, as well as volunteering at TIRR Memorial Hermann during her undergraduate studies.

Aside from being a DPT student, Jocelyn dedicated her time to being class Vice President, worked in the Office of Student Life, and mentored high school students interested in the field of physical therapy. Jocelyn is familiar with the Harris Health System as she spent 2 clinical rotations at both Ben Taub General Hospital and Fournace Place. During those rotations, she discovered the neurological residency program by connecting with current residents & residency director at Fournace Place. She was drawn to the program's sense of community within the therapy teams & the dedication towards holistic patient care. The HHS neurological PT residency also provided a chance to serve the community she was raised in and to give back to the Harris County community.

Following residency, Jocelyn hopes to become a Board-Certified Neurologic Physical Therapy Specialist. Her ultimate goal is to provide the highest quality care to Houston’s underserved communities by maximizing patient independence, improving functional mobility and being a nurturing provider. She hopes to positively impact lives, one patient at a time. Outside of work, Jocelyn enjoys family time, testing out new cuisines, and snuggling with her cat, Lovebug. She also spends a considerable amount of her free time trying to satisfy her insatiable sweet tooth, playing volleyball, and napping.

NEUROLOGIC RESIDENCY GRADUATES

2011-2012

  • Winnie Powell, PT, DPT, NCS
    Texas Woman’s University
  • April Wesley, PT, DPT, NCS
    University of Texas Medical Branch

2012-2013

  • Karen Hasson, PT, DPT, NCS
    Angelo State University
  • Vanessa (Potts) Thomas, PT, DPT, NCS
    Sacred Heart University

2013-2014

  • Alexis English, PT, DPT, NCS
    Sacred Heart University
  • Zahra Kadivar, PT, PhD, NCS
    Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

2014-2015

  • Jill Jackson, PT, DPT, NCS
    Idaho State University
  • Megan Krueger, PT, DPT, NCS
    Texas Woman’s University

2015-2016

  • Alicia Danto, PT, DPT, NCS
    University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Kelsey DeLave, PT, DPT, NCS
    University of Pittsburgh

2016-2017

  • Rashi Agrawal, PT, DPT, NCS
    University of Southern California
  • Daniel Schaeffer, PT, DPT, NCS
    Emory University

2017-2018

  • Martin Castaneda, PT, DPT
    Texas Woman’s University
  • Jamie Dolley, PT, DPT
    University of South Florida - Tampa

2018-2019

  • Christen Johnson, PT, DPT, NCS
    George Fox University
  • Hannah Bowen, PT, DPT, NCS
    Western Carolina University

2019-2020

  • Mayowa Victor Oyelami, PT, DPT, NCS
    Texas Woman’s University
  • Megan Whitson, PT, DPT
    Medical University of South Carolina

2020-2021

  • Amanda Lochte, PT, DPT, NCS
    University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Kelley Poblete, PT, DPT, NCS
    Texas Woman’s University

2021-2022

  • Sophie R. Grosscope, PT, DPT, NCS
    Louisiana State University
  • Jose Trujillo, PT, DPT
    Texas Woman’s University

2022-2023

  • Morgan Glick, PT, DPT, NCS
    University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Jocelyn DaVila, PT, DPT, NCS
    University of Texas Health Science Center

2023-2024

  • Shahnaj Alam, PT, DPT
    University of Incarnate Word
  • Rebecca Fletcher, PT, DPT
    University of Texas Medical Branch