Meet Our Team
Meet Our OT Team
Occupational therapists and therapy assistants are part of a vitally important profession that helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Their holistic and customized approach to evaluations, interventions, and outcomes assist a person recovering from injuries to regain skills as well as aid an older adult to remain as independent as possible.
Jacquelyn Patterson
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Jacquelyn graduated from Parker University’s Occupational Therapist Assistant program in December 2020 and has been working as a certified occupational therapy assistant at Acute since graduating.
“I chose the OT profession because OTs/COTAs are creative healers with the ability to help others relearn and adapt to tasks they need or love to do.” She adds that it is a job that seemingly gives back each day. “It never lets you get comfortable in the same routine.”
Jacquelyn shared that she is interested in obtaining a specialty certification in stroke rehab, mental health, or the Kinesio® Taping Method (therapeutic tape is applied on the body to reduce pain and inflammation).
“My favorite part of being a therapist in inpatient rehab is getting to treat people with all types of diagnosis in one setting and creating interventions that are unique to each individual. I have learned so much in my short time here at Accel and I look forward to what’s to come.”
Kim Hunter
Occupational Therapist Assistant
Kim Hunter has served as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) for 21 years. Prior to obtaining her OTA degree, she worked at Enid State School in Oklahoma where she said she enjoyed working with adults and children with special needs.
“It was from this experience, I became interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy.”
Upon graduating from Oklahoma City Community College, she began her career by initially working with children. She says she loves being an occupational therapist because she enjoys meeting new people and seeing their progress as they heal and achieve their goals.
Christina Sutton
Occupational Therapist
Christina Sutton graduated from Texas Woman’s University (Dallas) with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy in 2018. While studying to obtain her OT license, she completed one of her required student internships here at Acute Rehabilitation Hospital of Plano.
“As a student intern at Accel, I enjoyed working in a collaborative team environment that works hard to help patients make progress and become more independent so they can return home with their loved ones.”
She added that when a full time OT position became available, she jumped at the opportunity. I enjoy working in a facility where we see patients with a variety of diagnoses, but I particularly enjoy treating patients with neurological conditions. As a therapist, she explains that her goal is to simulate the home environment, create adaptive techniques and provide new strategies for increased independence with functional mobility.
Kathy Merrill
Occupational Therapist
Kathy Merrill graduated from Texas Woman’s University and has been an Occupational Therapist for 25 years. She has worked in a variety of settings including long term care, skilled nursing, work hardening, ergonomics, outpatient and acute care. Kathy also has a Master’s in Public Administration and worked for the City of Carrollton supervising enrichment programs for seniors, teens, and children.
Kathy enjoys being an Occupational Therapist as it affords her the opportunity to help patients regain independence and a higher quality of life. She enjoys treating the patient and connecting with the person.
Meet Our PT Team
Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) improve quality of life through exercise, functional task training, and patient education. By maximizing physical activity, a PT can help their patients improve mobility and function, manage pain and chronic conditions, recover from injury or prevent future injury, and improve quality of life. At Acute, our physical therapists work hard to increase our patients’ independence with functional mobility, such as walking and transferring. Our goal is to help patients be as safe and as independent as possible so that they can return home.
Chelsea Fox
Physical Therapist, Chief Therapy Officer
Chelsea is the Chief Therapy Officer at Acute. She began her career as a physical therapist in 2008 and came onboard at Acute as a staff therapist in 2013 when the hospital opened its doors. She transitioned to Chief Therapy Officer in 2018.
“I love working with rehab patients and being in a manager’s role now has given me the opportunity to positively impact patient care in new and exciting ways. I am blessed to work with the best therapy crew around, who have such a passion for maximizing patients’ recovery and independence.”
Chelsea is also specialized in lymphedema treatment, which is a niche area of therapy that helps people decrease excess fluid in their arms, legs and even trunk.
Maisha Parker
Physical Therapist
Maisha’s passion for physical therapy started in high school while volunteering at a PT clinic and then working as a rehab tech in outpatient. Her mother was a nurse and encouraged Maisha to continue with the field. She graduated from Florida A&M with her physical therapy degree over 20 years ago.
“I have enjoyed working with adults in multiple settings including home healthcare, acute care, outpatient, skilled nursing, and rehab. Helping patients reach their goalsand improve their lives is what I find most rewarding.”
John Enerio
Physical Therapist
John earned his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in the Philippines in 2001 and began working as a volunteer PT for 2 years before moving to the United States. He has been working as a PT for over 20 years now in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, outpatient, home health, and inpatient rehab.
“Seeing our patients improve and get back to their prior level of function is very rewarding for me. Hearing patients and their family members appreciate what we do is priceless, so I will continue to work as a therapist for as long as I can.”
Michaela Hardy
Physical Therapy Assistant
Michaela acquired her physical therapy assistant (PTA) degree from Itawamba Community College in Mississippi and has been practicing since 2016. Immediately out of school, she started working for a combined facility with skilled nursing, outpatient, and inpatient care. Michaela says she realized that she enjoyed working in the inpatient rehab setting most and began to pursue working in an acute inpatient rehab facility full time. She joined the Acute team part time in January 2021 and full time the following March.
“I chose physical therapy as a career because I have always loved helping people. It is rewarding for me to see patients recover, encourage them when they may be at their lowest, and to be a friend and help in their loneliest times.”
