The Team at TEAM Approach in Houston

MEET THE TEAM LEADER/OWNER:

Sara McMahan, PT, PCS

Sara is a physical therapist with over 18 years of clinical experience. She is a Pediatric Certified Specialist who has also completed the 8-week Bobath/ Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) course. She is trained in The Halliwick Method of aquatic therapy, Threshold Electrical Stimulation, and has experience in sensory integration and other methods of therapeutic interventions. Sara has attended a conference on The DIR Model/Floortime which is a treatment approach designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She is certified in Interactive Metronome©. Sara has experience working with children in a variety of settings including: acute care, home health, and NICU. Sara found her niche in outpatient rehabilitation and finally in March 2002, her dream became a reality when she opened The T.E.A.M. Approach, Inc. She has also been a guest speaker at local universities lecturing on a variety of topics including: NDT, casting, therapeutic outcomes, and musculo-skeletal impairments. If you are interested in scheduling a guest lecture, Sara would be happy to speak with you. She and her husband John have four children: Bridgette, Jacob, Luke and Sam.

MEET THE TEAM:

Physical Therapists:

Mina Iskander, MS, PT

Michelle Jordan, MS, PT

Laura Lohse, PTA

Occupational Therapists:

Katie Ceary, MOT, OTR

Holly Filip , COTA

Mindy Hartfield, MS, OTR

Natalie Reed, COTA

Speech-Language Pathologists:

Jennifer Fontenot, MCD, CF-SLP

Stephanie Zurovec, MS, CCC-SLP

Front Office:

John McMahan, Practice Manager

Chantilly Ware, Office Assistant/Medical Records

Patsy McMahan. Insurance Liaison

Shilpa Shah, Insurance Representative

Mina Iskander, MS, PT Mina is a full time Physical Therapist at the Northwest clinic. He earned his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2003 and his master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 2007. His clinical experiences include pediatric home health services and outpatient pediatrics. Mina has been involved in several programs to promote recreation for children with disabilities including the Kinetic Kids program in San Antonio. He is certified in Interactive Metronome©. Mina has worked with a variety of diagnoses to include: Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, torticollis, spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, spina bifida and cystic fibrosis.

Michelle Jordan, MS, PT Michelle is a Physical Therapist working two days at the Northwest clinic. She earned her undergraduate degree from Prairie View A&M University in 2002 and her master’s in Physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 2004. She participated in the IMPRINTS (Improved Training of Physical Therapists in Early Intervention Settings) program where she received a post-professional certificate in Early Intervention. She has worked in a variety of settings to include: Acute Adult Care, Orthopedic and Neurological Rehabilitation, and Outpatient and School System Pediatrics. She came to the T.E.A.M. Approach to expand her clinical base of knowledge and gain even more confidence in working with some of her favorite people…KIDS!

Laura Lohse, PTA Laura is a Physical Therapist Assistant with over 10 years of pediatric experience in a variety of settings. Her clinical skills are built upon field experience in the home health, outpatient, acute care, and school based settings as well as continuing education. She graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in 1994 earning highest honors while maintaining active membership in Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. Laura maintains a strong commitment to community service activities such as Girl Scouts and working with local Animal Rescue. She is married to Greg and they have two children, her daughter Hannah, age 10 and son Jordan, age 7. Laura is working two days a week at TEAM and we feel lucky to have her!

Katie Ceary, MOT, OTR Katie is a full-time occupational therapist, who graduated from Texas Woman's University with her master of occupational therapy degree. She became interested in working with children with disabilities and special needs while growing up with her older sister, Sarah, who has cerebral palsy. She has obtained experience in hospital and outpatient pediatric settings, with a variety of populations including premature infants, children with genetic disorders, and adolescent survivors of brain injuries. She has a special interest in treating children with feeding difficulties and aversions and was recently trained in using Kinesiotaping and Interactive Metronome as treatment modalities. Katie loves theatre, outdoorsy activities, and spending time with her husband Philip.

Holly Filip, COTA Holly is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Past experience has included special team projects such as "Humor in Therapy", designing and hosting a team building workshop for community college faculty, and implementation of occupational therapy at a homeless shelter. She was a presenter at the 2005 & 2007 Texas Occupational Therapy Association's regional conference and a speaker at the 2006 American Occupational Therapy Association's annual convention. Holly has been employed in the medical-based setting of a cancer care hospital where she worked with individuals of all ages. She gained experience in pediatric, outpatient, acute and intensive care. Holly is the Clinical Coordinator of Education for The TEAM Approach.

Mindy Hartfield, M.S., OTR Mindy is a full time Occupational Therapist at the Northwest Clinic. She earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 1992. She is licensed in Illinois and Texas. She is Adult NDT Trained and Certified in Interactive Metronome. Her first job was on an adult rehabilitation unit where she spent 7 years specializing in Stroke and Acquired brain injury. She then went on to work with pediatrics in the school system for 8 years. She enjoyed working with varying diagnoses but spent most of her time in classrooms dedicated to life skills with students diagnosed with severe Autism. Mindy has also co-authored a cognitive rehabilitation manual with a Speech Language Pathologist and a Neuropsychologist. Mindy and her husband recently re-located to Houston, where she has been working in a clinic designed for community re-entry after acquired brain injury and in pediatrics. Mindy enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her husband and their 2 ½ year old twins Mayah and Devin and their 7 year old daughter Morgan. They are also learning to fly model airplanes as a family with the kids being their control tower and her husband their best mechanic.

Natalie Reed, COTA Natalie is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She received her Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in Houston, TX. She has previous experience in upper extremity orthopedics as well as outpatient pediatric therapy. She is trained in Therapeutic Listening™ and Handwriting Without Tears™ and certified in Interactive Metronome©. Natalie is currently working towards Level I certification in Handwriting Without Tears. She also has experience working with clients who have visual motor deficits.

Jennifer Fontenot, MCD, CF-SLP Jennifer is a full-time Speech Language Pathologist at the T.E.A.M Approach at the northwest clinic. She received her undergraduate degree in 2005 and graduate degree in 2007 from Louisiana State University Health Science Center. She has clinical and work experience in multiple settings including pediatric and adult settings. Her interests and experience include augmentative and alternative communication, early intervention, autism spectrum, cerebral palsy, swallowing disorders, and oral motor weakness.

Stephanie Zurovec, MS, CCC-SLP Stephanie is a Speech Language Pathologist. She received her undergraduate degree in 2001 and graduate degree in 2003 from Stephen F. Austin State University. She worked as a Speech Pathologist in a variety of settings in pediatrics and adult care. Stephanie has experience in treating swallowing disorders, oral motor weaknesses, feeding disorders, early childhood development, autism spectrum, cerebral palsy and children with multiple syndromes. She is a Certified VitalStim® provider as well as being certified in Interactive Metronome©. Stephanie is a full-time speech pathologist at the T.E.A.M. and has recently taken the Marketing Director's position at the Northwest clinic.

John McMahan, Practice Manager John is Co-Owner of The T.E.A.M. Approach. He and his wife, Sara opened the clinic in 2002. John assists with general office duties and behind the scene requirements to keep The T.E.A.M. Approach running smoothly to continuously serve our clients.

Chantilly Ware, Office Assistant/Medical Records Chantilly is responsible for many office duties at The T.E.A.M. Approach. She has a certification as a clerical office assistant from East Texas Medical Center. She keeps all of the medical records up to date, assists with scheduling and other general office duties and even finds time to answer the phone! She is the smiling face that greets each person as the enter our clinic. Chantilly is a tremendous asset to the T.E.A.M. Approach and is greatly appreciated by all of the therapists for helping to make their jobs a little easier. Chantilly was recently married in April 2005. She has two daughters named Marshun and Markeisha.

Patsy McMahan, Insurance Liaison Patsy is an asset to The T.E.A.M. Approach. She is responsible for insurance claims and does a great job processing client accounts in order to prevent any break in services. She assures that our kids get the services they need. Patsy has six children, thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Shilpa Shah, Insurance Representative Shilpa is responsible for Insurance claims and appeals. She also assists with patient accounts as needed. Shilpa is greatly appreciated by all our therapists and families.

You may contact anyone on the Team at TheTEAMApproach@aol.com.