Ryan Stork, MD is the Medical Director of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation program at TIRR Memorial Hermann. He also works closely with the trauma surgery and neurocritical care teams at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center where he performs brain injury consults to help assess the rehabilitation needs of acutely injured patients. He is an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School UTHealth-Houston, where he also serves as the Assistant Program Director for the Brain Injury Medicine fellowship. He is also involved in medical student education. Ryan serves as the Co-Director of the Medical Student Experience for the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School. 

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial:  TIRR Memorial Hermann attending physician, UTHealth, Non-Financial: None reported

Richard Huang, MD, an Assistant Professor at McGovern Medical School, received his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois in 2007. He completed his internship in internal medicine at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois through the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine in 2008.  He then completed his residency at the Baylor College of Medicine / UTHealth Houston Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Alliance in June 2011, where he served as a chief resident.  He subsequently pursued an administrative fellowship in Brain Injury Rehabilitation at the Baylor College of Medicine / UTHealth Houston Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Alliance, which he completed in June 2012.

He joined the faculty of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in December 2014 and became the Medical Director of the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at TIRR Memorial Hermann at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital in February 2015. Richard Huang, MD is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) and is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with sub-specialty certification in Brain Injury Medicine.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: Attending physician at TIRR Memorial Hermann; Non-financial: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R)

Jean Woo, MD is a board-certified physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and in Brain Injury Medicine. She is an assistant professor and associate program director for the brain injury medicine fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. Jean Woo, MD is also an attending physician for the Brain Injury and Stroke program and Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) program at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Her clinical interests and research focus are DoC from various etiologies, long-term care and outcomes of DoC, hypertonicity management, advocacy, and ethics in brain injury.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: Attending physician at TIRR Memorial Hermann; Non-financial: None reported

Angelle Sander, PhD, FACRM earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1987, her M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University in 1989, and her Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Houston in 1995. She completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.  

Angelle is Director of TIRR Memorial Hermann's Brain Health and Rehabilitation Research Center. She is Project Director for the TIRR Memorial Hermann/Baylor College of Medicine/UThealth Collaborative Traumatic Brain Injury Model System. She has been PI or Co-Investigator on federally funded studies addressing prediction and treatment of cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial problems in persons with TBI, self-management of TBI-related consequences, health literacy in individuals with TBI, intimacy and sexuality after TBI, impact of TBI on caregivers, and social determinants of health following TBI. She has 174 peer-reviewed publications, numerous book chapters and published abstracts, and multiple consumer-oriented dissemination products, including fact sheets, educational manuals, webcasts, and videos targeted toward individuals with TBI, their care partners, and rehabilitation professionals. She is Past Chair of the American Congress of Rehabilitation’s Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group and is on the Editorial Boards of Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: Tampa VA- Consultant to DOD grant - consultant; Non-financial: American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine - Member and leadership role on Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group

Jacob Williams, PhD is the Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Psychology/ Neuropsychology at TIRR Memorial Hermann and has been a staff member at TIRR Memorial Hermann since 2015. He previously worked within the Spinal Cord Injury Service line. He serves as a local leader of Code Lilac, a peer-to-peer emotional first aid program and serves as a Green Belt Certified process improvement champion. Jacob Williams, PhD is a licensed psychologist with clinical and research experience in the treatment of sleep disorders, post traumatic symptoms, chronic pain conditions, and the psychosocial impact of acquired disabilities. Jacob Williams, PhD completed his Doctoral and master’s degrees at the University of Florida, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology. He completed his internship with the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio and post-doctoral training focused on the treatment of post-traumatic stress and related conditions among active-duty military at the University of Texas Health Science Center– San Antonio. 

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Xuan Jesson, PhD earned her bachelor’s in psychology and human development from the University of California, San Diego. She earned her MS and doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology.  Xuan completed her post-doctoral fellowship with the joint Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and TIRR Memorial Hermann Neuropsychology program. She later became a Clinical Neuropsychologist for TIRR Memorial Hermann, with most of her time spent with inpatient Brain Injury service, outpatient neuropsychological assessments, and co-directing the Neuropsychology Post-doctoral Training program, now through UT Health and TIRR. Recently, she has been a recipient of the ABPP/ABCN Board Certification Scholarship.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Dawn Phillips, COTA began her OT journey in 1991 at Houston Community College.  Beyond her formal education, Dawn has continually sought opportunities to expand her knowledge through workshops, seminars, certification programs and conferences, staying updated with the latest advancement in neuro-rehabilitation. Dawn’s approach is characterized by empathy and collaboration.  She is also heavily involved in mentoring new occupational therapy practitioners, sharing her knowledge and experiences to cultivate expertise in the next generation.  Additionally, her past involvement in research helps contribute to evidence-based practices, improving treatment outcomes for patients with neurological conditions. 

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Alyssa Kelly, MA, CCC-SLP earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Speech Pathology from Ball State University. Alyssa has been working as an outpatient Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for TIRR since 2017. In those years, she has been a part of the Brain Injury Program and the Pediatric Program.  Alyssa was the lead SLP when the outpatient Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) Program was established in 2018. Clinically, Alyssa has a special interest in treating patients of all ages with Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) needs. In her current role, Alyssa is an active member of the AAC subcommittee and the outpatient DOC committee.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Tiffany R. Harrington, MS, CCC-SLP graduated from Texas State University in 1995 with her Masters in Speech Pathology. In her current role, Tiffany works as a Speech-Language Pathologist at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights in acute care.  She has been a part of the Memorial Hermann system since 1998 and has worked as a team member in inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient services.  In those years, she has been instrumental in initiating the national dysphagia diet and helped train speech language pathologists at the system level on the new international dysphagia diet standardization initiative (IDDSI). She developed the initial modifications to the Cerner CARE4 documentation 2007 and became an EPIC “superuser” in 2023. She brought the TIMS MBSS recording software to the MH system 2012 and provided CEU opportunities related to MBSImP on the first dysphagia day in 2020. She has served as the chairperson for the speech therapy advisory board since 2014. She was has worked with the stroke committee to improve dysphagia screen accuracy and was a part of selecting the new validated Yale dysphagia screen tool for nursing. She is currently active with the ACE committee for Epic optimization. Overall she is a valuable mentor at her facility. She has a special interest in evaluating and treating patients with dysphagia. She has a renewed certifications in MBSImP™©, competency with completing Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) and Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing (FEES). She was previously certified for McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP), Beckman Passive Range of Motion, and VitalStim.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Karina Loyo, PhD earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling Psychology from Marquette University in 2021. She completed her predoctoral internship through Baylor College of Medicine and TIRR Memorial Hermann. Dr. Loyo went on to complete a two-year fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology at James A Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, FL. Karina Loyo joined TIRR Memorial Hermann as a staff clinical neuropsychologist in 2023. She delivers intervention and assessment services to patients in the Brain Injury and Disorders of Consciousness programs. Karina Loyo is also actively involved in education and training. She serves as the coordinator for the TIRR Memorial Hermann Doctoral Practicum Program, which offers specialized training in rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology to graduate students across the greater Houston area

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Kelly Horstmann, PT, DPT is a physical therapist at TIRR Memorial Hermann. She graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008 at which time she started her clinical work at TIRR as an inpatient physical therapist on the brain injury and stroke team. In 2013 Kelly Horstmann, PT, DPT received her Neurological Clinical Specialist certification, and she has been a mentor in the Neurological PT Residency program at TIRR. In 2019 she transitioned to the Outpatient Medical Clinic at TIRR and now currently serves as the primary therapy consultant in this physician-based clinic. In this role, she has the unique opportunity to follow patients through their lifespan and impact their rehab, positioning, and function from initial injury and throughout their lives.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Kelsey James, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist working at TIRR Memorial Hermann since 2015 on the Brain Injury and Stroke Team. She is a Board-certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. Kelsey graduated from Texas A&M University in 2011 with her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Psychology, and from Texas Woman’s University-Houston in 2015 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). Kelsey is an active member of the Neurobehavioral Core Team and Positive Behavior Support Team at TIRR, is a Transfer Training Instructor, and specializes in treating individuals with TBI, Stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. Speaker Disclosures & Conflicts of Interest - Financial:  employment relationship with TIRR Memorial Hermann; Non-financial:  none disclosed

Gail Greene, PT, DPT earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology from Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX in 2005 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX in 2008. As a new graduate, Gail worked in orthopedics, building her confidence and acquiring new skills that would carry throughout her career. In 2012, Gail began working for TIRR Memorial Hermann (TIRR) in the outpatient department. She has been an integral part in developing many programs over the years. She has treated a vast number of patients with complex diagnoses including brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and more. In 2016, Gail became certified in the Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation (Neuro-IFRAH) which significantly changed her treatment interventions.

Currently Gail is highly involved in the Brain Injury and Stroke team. She is a member of the Core Group which aims to provide high quality, consistent care and education throughout the TIRR system. Gail is also a committee leader in the outpatient Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) program. She has been involved with development of clinical pathways, educational materials, and clinical teaching for therapists who treat patients with DOC. Gail has a passion for clinical teaching and has held the role of Center Coordinator of Clinical Education since 2015, placing and managing physical therapy students from across the country in six outpatient locations. She has taught in multiple continuing education courses in her career and regularly teaches DOC and handling techniques to students and new employees.

Outside of work, Gail has 3 children who are very active in school and sports. She loves to travel with her kids, husband, and dog, with her travel trailer across the country. When she’s not camping or wrangling the kids, you can find her in her crafting room, creating all kinds of new and fun things.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment relationship; Non-financial: None reported

Carissa Skarke is a senior speech-language pathologist who has been practicing since 2013 at TIRR Memorial Hermann (TIRR).  She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Human Biology, Pre-Med in (YEAR) and obtained a Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (YEAR) .  She has been instrumental in solidifying the role of the speech-language pathologist in the treatment of people with a low-level Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients as part of the development of TIRR Memorial Hermann’s Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) Program. Carissa uses her skills to mentor, complete research, and present on this topic.  She is a leader in the use of Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) when working with the DOC population to support treatment of dysphagia.  In addition, she specializes in helping clients who have a ventilator/tracheostomy, respiratory insufficiency, need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), have aphasia, and/or cognitive impairment.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employee; Non-Financial: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) member

Erin Wheeler, PT, DPT is a board certified neurologic clinical specialist and has been a physical therapist at TIRR Memorial Hermann for 9 years. After receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC she relocated to Houston to complete her neurologic residency at TIRR. During residency she specially developed interest in working with individuals with brain injuries and strokes, and upon completion joined the BI/CVA inpatient team at TIRR-Medical Center. After several years she relocated to the Woodlands where she has been a member of the outpatient rehabilitation and Challenge Program, where she helps individuals with community reintegration, return to work, and regaining functional independence. She has interest in working with her patients to achieve their personal goals for recovery and has participated in several projects related to this topic at both the TIRR and national level.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment; Non-Financial: American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member

Meredith Shields, OTR earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Spanish from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas in 2013. She completed her Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Houston Community College Coleman College for Health Sciences in Houston, Texas in 2015 and went on to earn her Master of Occupational Therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas in 2019. Meredith has been an occupational therapist with TIRR Memorial Hermann since 2019. She currently serves as a Research Occupational Therapist at the NeuroRecovery Research Center at TIRR Memorial Hermann, where she supports clinical trials involving individuals with stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. In this role, she functions as both an interventionist and outcome assessor, contributing expertise in upper extremity rehabilitation, assistive technology, neuromodulation, and spasticity management.

Clinically, Meredith has special interests in neurorecovery, complex wheelchair and seating evaluations, spasticity management, and the integration of innovative technology into rehabilitation practice. She is passionate about advancing evidence-based care and translating emerging neuroscience into meaningful functional outcomes that improve independence and quality of life. Outside of her research and clinical work, Meredith participates in professional education initiatives and community outreach efforts that promote inclusion and access for individuals of all abilities.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment; Non-Financial: None reported

Kendall Carithers, OTR, CLT earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas in 2009 and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Kansas Medical School in Kansas City, Kansas 2011. Kendall has been working as an occupational therapist for TIRR Memorial Hermann since 2016. In those years, she has been a part of the Brain Injury and Stroke Program, the Pediatric Program, a mentor for the OT fellowship program, a member of the SPASM core group, and the Memorial Hermann network Oncology Core group member. She completed a certification in Neuro-IFRAH and is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT). She has special interests in working with patients with disorders of consciousness, upper motor neuron syndrome, and visual deficits. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and playing sports with her son, Luke.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment; Non-Financial: None reported

Madeline Jackson, MS, CCC-SLP earned her Bachelor of Sciences (BS) in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2015 and her Master of Science (MS) in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL in 2017. Madeline has worked as a speech-language pathologist since 2017. She began her career at an inpatient rehabilitation unit in Fargo, North Dakota. There she treated patients aged 14-94 with mild-severe brain and spinal cord injuries. She moved to Houston, Texas and began working at TIRR Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center in 2019, treating adults with mild-profound cognitive, communication, swallowing, and respiratory impairments that occur following brain and spinal cord injury.

Clinically, Madeline has special interests in treating patients with neurobehavioral disorders from acquired brain injury, as well as treating patients with tracheostomy and ventilator dependency. In her current role, Madeline enjoys mentoring colleagues on diagnosis and treatment techniques. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial: TIRR Memorial Hermann employment; Non-Financial: None reported

Charlene Iroanya, OTR, OTD, CNS, CBIS, Neuro- IFRAH

Charlene graduated in 2010 from Texas Southern University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Health & Kinesiology. She became and occupational therapist (OT) after graduating from Samuel Merritt University with a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) in 2015. In 2023 Charlene was awarded her post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) degree from Marymount University. Charlene is Neuro-IFRAH Certified (2016), LSVT-BIG certified (2019), a certified brain injury specialist (2020), and a certified neuro-specialist (2021).  Practicing as an occupational therapist since 2016 in greater Houston, Texas, Charlene has experience in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient neuro-setting.  She joined TIRR Memorial Hermann in 2022.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: Financial:  TIRR Memorial Hermann employee; Non-Financial: None reported