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:

Sara McMahan, PT, PCS

Mina Iskander, MS, PT

Cheryl Demas, PT

Laura Lohse, PTA

Occupational Therapists:

Holly Filip , COTA

Kristen Garfield, OTR, MOT

Natalie Chatman, OTR, MOT

Kim_Hailey_MOT_OTR

Speech-Language Pathologists:

Susannah Lewallen, MA, CCC-SLP

Vicki Schuetz, MS CCC-SLP

Front Office:

John McMahan, Practice Manager

Chantilly Ware, Office Assistant/Medical Records

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 is also the President of SOARING KIDZ, a non-profit organization providing sports and recreational programs for children with disabilities. 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.

Cheryl Demas, PT Cheryl has just recently joined our team on a full-time case load. Cheryl has more than 20 years of experience in the physical therapy world. She brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to our clinic and we are very happy to have her.

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!

Holly Filip, COTA Holly is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Past experience includes 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 has presented at Texas Occupational Therapy Association's regional conferences and American Occupational Therapy Association's annual convention. Holly has gained experience in a medical-based setting of a cancer care hospital where she worked with individuals of all ages. She worked in pediatric, outpatient, acute and intensive care. Holly is trained in the SOS Approach to feeding, Therapeutic Listening® and Interactive Metronome©. She also has advanced training in sensory integration. Holly is the Quality Improvement Coordinator for The TEAM Approach.

Kristen Garfield, OTR, MOT Kristen is a full time Occupational Therapist, who graduated from Texas Woman’s University with her master in Occupational Therapy. Kristen is also a handwriting tutor and is trained in Interactive Metronome©. She is also trained in the therapeutic listening protocol.

Natalie Chatman, OTR, MOT Natalie a full time Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Natalie is trained in the Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum, the SOS Approach to feeding and Therapeutic Listening®. Natalie is the coordinator for Team Life, a social network group for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.

Kim Hailey, OTR, MOT Kim is a full time Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Kim is trained in the SOS Approach to feeding and the Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum.

Susannah Lewallen, MA, CCC-SLP Susannah is a full time Speech Language Pathologist at The T.E.A.M. Approach. She received her graduate degree from the University of Houston. She has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in pediatric and adult settings. She is a trained provider for the Beckman Oral Motor Program, Therapeutic Listening®, and the SOS Approach to feeding.

Vicki Schuetz, MS CCC-SLP Vicki is a full-time Speech Language Pathologist at the T.E.A.M Approach. She received her graduate degree in 2009 from Baylor University. She has clinical and work experience in pediatric settings. Her interests and experience include early intervention, memory, and phonology.

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 is married, and she has two daughters named Marshun and Markeisha.

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.