Meredith Franklin, PT, DPT, 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.
Ann Newstead, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS, NCS, CEEAA is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Masters in Community Health with a concentration in Physical Therapy (1978) and a graduate of the SUNY Potsdam in Biology and Chemistry (1976). She completed her PhD from University of Texas in Austin in Kinesiology/Movement Science (2010) and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana (2016). Dr. Newstead who is American Physical Therapy board certified in Geriatrics and Neurological Physical Therapist (through 2025). She received her Vestibular Rehabilitation Certification (2008) and APTA Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (2011). Dr. Newstead has worked in rehabilitation inpatient, outpatient, research, educational, and home health settings, participated in clinical or didactic faculty positions (1992 – 2016). She retired from UT Health Science Center in 2010 and participated in opening two new DPT programs in San Antonio and Los Angeles (2010-2016). She opened her own practice, AHNew Physical Therapy in 2017, with a focus on aging adults (2017-present). Dr. Newstead has published research in the area of yoga, balance, falls, older adults, and brain injury. She currently is a consultant for GAIT IQ (2018-present) for aging adults.
Sharon Smalling, MPH, RD, LD,has been in practice since 1980. Her focus has been in the area of Cardiac Rehabilitation, where she provides the nutrition education for all participants in the Memorial Hermann Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs. She has also provided nutrition counseling for subjects participating in research studies that have a nutrition component. In her private practice, she counsels clients with a variety of medical issues, such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, GI disorders, obesity, and diabetes, where nutrition is a major part of the treatment. Sharon completed the training and earned the American Dietetic Association Certificate in Training in Adult Weight Management, which she uses in counseling patients both pre- and post- Bariatric surgery. She has been interviewed by radio, TV, and newspapers and made presentations to corporations, organizations, and professional associations, including a teleseminar on Cardiovascular Disease for the American Dietetic Association; a webinar on Cultural Competencies for the dietetic practice group Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Dietitians (SCAN); and presentations at SCAN National Symposiums concerning the Standard American Diet as well as the newest Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Nutrition Guidelines. She served on the Texas Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Council for 3 years. Sharon and her colleague, Shirley Chambers, MEd, RD, LD, wrote a book entitled “Menu Solutions for Busy People – Fast, Fabulous and Practical Menus for Health and Wellness” which was published in September, 2002. She was named the recipient of the Edna Wilken Teagarten Distinguished Alumnus award from the Dept of Human Sciences at SFA for 2005. For 4 years she was the co-director for the SCAN DPG subunit Wellness/ CV RD’s; she was Chair of the 2013 Symposium Committee and was on the SCAN Nominating Committee for 2014-2016, serving as the Chair for 2015. In April 2016 she was honored to receive the Excellence in Practice Award from SCAN.
EDUCATION:
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY BS IN NUTRITION 1979
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, BIRMINGHAM DIETETIC INTERNSHIP 1980
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSTON MPH IN NUTRITION EPIDMIOLOGY 1991