UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest

Tracey began her career as a burn therapist at UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest and later treated outpatients with orthopedic and neurological conditions. She has been involved in research and is published in the Journal of Burn Care. Her other research areas include cognitive functional assessments for AIDS patients, hand function in the elderly and shoulder joint reconstruction for those patients with arthritis or injured shoulders requiring shoulder replacement.

She has been active in many professional organizations and community services. They include the American Public Health Association, American Burn Association, American Heart Association, benefits to support cancer research, the Arthritis Foundation, Phi Kappa Phi Honor society, an officer for the Occupational Therapy Association of California-San Diego, County Stroke Task Force, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association and the Organization for Women in Healthcare Administration to name a few.

For recreation and in her spare time Tracey enjoys the arts, bicycling, scuba diving, hiking, traveling to unique places, working in the yard and playing with her two standard poodles.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in public health (health care administration)
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy – University of Wisconsin, Madison 

Maria’s background as an occupational therapist has exposed her to different settings ranging from outpatient orthopedic and neurological patients, acute rehab, inpatient and outpatient settings, and more critical patients in intensive care units. Her goal is to improve and expand the capabilities of rehabilitation patients through exceptional and compassionate care, and to improve their quality of life.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in occupational therapy – Texas Woman’s University, Houston

She volunteers at “Camp Beyond the Scars” every year, which is a camp for children with burn injuries. She enjoys the challenges that each day presents when treating individuals with serious burns.

Jennie enjoys running, cooking, hiking, yoga and reading.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in occupational therapy – Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology – Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

Amy loves spending time with her husband and two children. She is closely involved with her daughters’ school and is also a Girl Scout leader.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in occupational therapy – University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Bachelor’s degree in psychology – Salisbury State University, Maryland

Originally from the Washington, DC area, Donna has worked with infants and children in many different settings throughout her 30-year career.

Donna also provides training to other hospitals and therapy staff including Palomar/Pomerado Health and Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego. She established breast-to-bottle feeding guidelines and developed our Infant Video Swallow Study Protocol. Donna has given over 20 professional presentations on specialty areas throughout the country regarding therapy interventions in the NICU. She has also volunteered her time at the San Diego Zoo by providing therapy to two infant bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) who suffered perinatal neurological injuries, and is happy to report that both chimpanzees have been integrated into the zoo population of bonobos.

Donna’s many interests include adventure travel, mosaics, cooking, reading, backpacking, skiing, and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys volunteering her time to the revitalization of neighborhoods in San Diego aimed at bringing new life and lasting vitality.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in public administration – University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy – Colorado State University, Ft. Collins 

Besides being a “career woman,” Adrienne loves socializing with friends and traveling. She is a huge college football fan of the Fighting Tigers - GEAUX TIGERS!

Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy – Louisiana State University, New Orleans

Jo has been working at UC San Diego Health System for over 10 years. She loves helping patients return to a higher level of functioning. When not working, Jo enjoys exploring the countryside on her motorcycle.

Educational Background
Associate’s degree in occupational therapy – Maric College, San Diego
Orthopaedic technologist – Grossmont Community College, El Cajon

Liz was born and raised in San Diego. What she enjoys most about her work is the daily patient and family interaction. Liz enjoys being able to listen to and help patients achieve their functional goals to live their lives independently. When not at work, she is busy planning weddings, sailing, and engaging in Pilates exercises. Liz loves spending time with her family, friends and her dog.

Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy – University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Bachelor’s degree in exercise science – University of Southern California, Los Angeles

Jason was recently invited to join the brand new Hemophilia Treatment Center under the direction of Dr. Annette Von Drygalski, as the team’s physical therapist. He is also currently the primary physical therapist at UC San Diego for the POM-001 Study, which is being directed by Dr. Bruce Barshop of UC San Diego and BioMarin Pharmaceutical, in an effort to find a treatment for late onset Pompe disease.

His personal interests include spending time with his children, surfing, cross-fit workouts, triathlons, traveling, coaching T-ball and soccer.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in physical therapy – University of Miami, Miami

In her spare time, Takae enjoys reading, exercising, cooking and volunteering at various San Diego community events.

Educational Background
Doctorate of physical therapy – Loma Linda University, Los Angeles 

Carise has been a dancer all her life and was a member of two professional dance companies while living in Boston. She performs locally in San Diego with several choreographers.

Educational Background
Doctorate of physical therapy – Simmons College, Boston
Bachelor’s degree in biology – Pennsylvania State University, State College 

Outside of work, Linda enjoys spending time with her 26-year-old son, her nephew and twin sister. Her nephew was a standout college football player and is now pursuing a professional career in the NFL. He currently plays for the Sacramento Mountain Lions in the semi-pro United Football League (UFL) and Linda attends all of his games!

Linda also belongs to a cruise group and has enjoyed going on many cruises over the years. She is an active member of her church and sings in the choir. Linda enjoys many sporting events, especially football, basketball and little league baseball.

Educational Background
Associate’s degree in physical therapy assistant – San Diego Community College, CA

Melissa has been actively involved in various research studies that have been published and presented through the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Neurology. She currently holds elected positions in national and state-level physical therapy associations. Melissa is also a certified LSVT BIG therapist for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Melissa enjoys practicing as an outpatient neurologic physical therapist and specializes in the evaluation and treatment of neurologic diagnoses including Parkinson’s disease, stroke, vestibular and balance disorders, multiple sclerosis, brain and spinal injuries, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and post-polio syndrome. She presents at seminars for Kaiser Permanente Health Education, the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and the California Physical Therapy Association, and fulfills her teaching responsibilities through the physical therapy doctorate programs at the University of Southern California, Mount St. Mary's College and Western University of Health Sciences. Melissa looks forward to continuing to serve and advocate for therapists and patients.

Educational Background
Doctorate of physical therapy – University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Bachelor’s degree in physiologic sciences – University of California, Los Angeles

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys biking, hiking, walking, yoga, snowboarding, listening to music and traveling when she has the time.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in physical therapy – Boston University, Boston

Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy – California State University, Long Beach 

John loves spending time traveling with his wife, watching and playing sports, collecting sports memorabilia and trying new restaurants.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in physical therapy – California State University, Fresno
Bachelor’s degree in athletic training – California State University, Fresno

Jenny Lee, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Jenny is a physical therapist with an emphasis on rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions.

She was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1998. Jenny received her undergraduate degree at Cal State in Long Beach then completed a doctorate degree at Temple University in Philadelphia. Jenny underwent a one-year residency at University of Washington Medical Center, where she received extensive training in treating a wide range of neurologic diagnoses.

Jenny likes to go hiking and serving in her church. Jenny is fluent in Chinese.
 
Educational Background
Doctor of physical therapy - Temple University, Philadelphia
Neurologic physical therapy residency - University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle
Bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry - California State University, Long Beach

Colleen Moran, PT, PhD 
Physical Therapist
Colleen Moran is a physical therapist with 15 years of experience in a variety of settings, including pediatrics, sports medicine, geriatrics, acute rehabilitation units, outpatient clinics, in-patient acute care, and home health. In addition to direct patient care, Colleen completed her PhD in anatomy to complement her interest in research and teaching. Being raised in a military family, Colleen enjoys traveling and most recently lived and worked in Hawaii. Outside of work, Colleen enjoys many outdoor activities and loves the beach.

Educational Background
Doctorate of anatomy – Loma Linda University, Loma Linda
Master's degree in physical therapy – UCSF, San Francisco
Bachelor's degree in sports medicine – California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks 

Marin is an enthusiastic therapist who loves her job and enjoys providing assistance and education to her patients. Some of her hobbies include Pilates, cooking and singing karaoke.

Educational Background
Doctorate of physical therapy – Chapman University, Orange
Bachelor’s degree in sports science (minor in pre-physical therapy) – University of Kansas, Wichita

Educational Background
Associate’s degree in physical therapy – Mesa Community College, San Diego

Joanna Burgess, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech - Language Pathologist, Supervisor of Speech Therapy Services
Contact Me: jcburgess@ucsd.edu

Joanna is from Dayton, Ohio. She received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Joanna has been working at UC San Diego Medical Center since 2007 and enjoys helping patients improve their communication skills and regain independence after illness. She has extensive knowledge and experience in using augmentative and alternative communication devices for individuals with speech impairments. Joanna is also a member of the UC San Diego ALS Clinic, which provides multidisciplinary health care for patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Joanna enjoys traveling, cooking, singing, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Educational Background
Master’s degree in speech-language pathology – Miami University, Oxford
Bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology – Miami University, Oxford, OH