About Us
15/06/09
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Gail Blom, MA, OTR, CHT is the founder and owner of Covenant Hand Therapy. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Gail brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our business. Gail received her BS in OT from the University of Illinois, and her MA from Texas Women’s University, with academic honors. She was Director of Hand Therapy at the prestigious University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics, and has served in clinical, management and ownership roles at other clinics throughout her career. She is an open and approachable employer, treating her staff with fairness and respect.
Gail has taught as an adjunct instructor in the OT program at TWU, and she is a former member of the Texas Board of OT Examiners, appointed by then-governor George W. Bush. Gail teaches hand therapy continuing education courses both regionally and nationally, and she is known throughout Texas as a mentor to other hand therapists. Gail has been a Certified Hand Therapist since 1993, and she recently added expertise in lymphedema treatment to her list of accomplishments, with Vodder Certification in Manual Lymph Drainage. Gail’s reputation as a knowledgeable, results-oriented therapist is perfectly complemented by her friendliness, her kindness and her concern for every patient we treat. |
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Jackie S. Ratzlaff, MOT, OTR joined the team in 2005 after receiving her Master of Occupational Therapy degree the previous year from Texas Woman’s University. She has experience in a wide variety of therapy settings including community based wellness programs and inpatient acute care, but she found her niche serving the hand therapy population. Jackie also has a special interest in continued education and teaching, and currently serves as an adjunct instructor at TWU. She serves as a Fieldwork Supervisor for graduate students as well as a volunteer coordinator for perspective students, and enjoys working on OT conference and seminar committees. Jackie’s intelligence, cheerful demeanor, and quick wit are great additions to our CHT team. |
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Sarah R. (Sally) Stillings, PT, MPT, CHT joined Covenant in 2005, adding her expertise in physical therapy to the occupational therapy already offered at our clinic. She earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has specialized in upper extremity rehab since 1998. Sally has been a clinician, clinical coordinator, and facility director in a variety of outpatient orthopedic and hand therapy clinics. She received her Certified Hand Therapist designation in 2003. When you come in for therapy, don’t let her calm, maternal nature fool you – with her broad experience and flexible approach, she is ready to handle anything! |
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Nideo (rhymes with “video”) Phongpaichit, MOT, OTR is the most recent addition to the therapy staff, though she has been an integral CHT employee since the clinic opened in 2002. Nideo has a wealth of healthcare experience; she was a physical therapist in her native Thailand, completed her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Texas Women’s University in 2005, and holds a degree in gerontology from UT Southwestern. Throughout her schooling, she earned many scholarships and volunteered her time to various educational and health organizations. Nideo’s humor is rivaled only by her care for people and her organizational skills. Her helpful nature is appreciated by co-workers and patients alike. |
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Marilyn Blume is the insurance coordinator for our clinic. She is a graduate of Baylor University. Marilyn brings a wonderful depth and breadth of experience to our organization, having worked in medical, university, engineering, and law firm settings. Her organizational skills and great attention to detail work hand-in-hand with her gift for creative problem-solving. Marilyn is an advocate for our patients with their health insurance companies, using her thorough understanding of Medicare law and insurance company regulations. |
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Gail Mitchell, Office Manager, comes to CHT with many years of experience in the education, business, and medical fields. She earned a radiology certification from St. John’s Medical Center, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is a graduate of UT Dallas, Gail keeps the office running smoothly, and assists patient with insurance questions and verification. Her ever-present sense of humor keeps everyone guessing what will be next. Just stay out of her way if an insurance company denies payment for one of “her” patients – she has been known to work for months to see that the claim is properly processed and paid! |
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Larry Urben, MS, ATC, LAT, C.Ped, head of the Covenant Custom Orthotics division of our clinic, is our Certified Pedorthist and a Certified Athletic Trainer. Larry earned his MS in Education/Athletic Training at the University of Arizona. As an athletic trainer, he worked alongside physical therapists and in conjunction with team physicians to treat athletes of all types. An interest in helping these patients “from the ground up” led Larry to become a Certified Pedorthist, building custom orthotics to improve patients’ biomechanical lower extremity functioning. Larry’s outstanding leadership skills quickly led him from direct patient care into upper management positions for several large-scale, nationally recognized therapy operations. He was very successful with these businesses, yet his main interest remained in patient care, and in 2002 he joined CHT to return to working directly with patients. Larry’s thorough understanding of biomechanics, attention to detail, and attitude that “every patient is a V.I P.” makes him one of the best pedorthists in all of Texas. |
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Nancy Stephens joined the office staff in 2006. After ten years of staying home to raise three very busy boys, Nancy decided to rejoin the workforce, implementing her many skills in a professional capacity. For several years, Nancy worked for her family business, gaining valuable management and accouting experience before starting a family of her own. Aside from dealing with insurance policies, patient files, and therapy schedules at CHT, Nancy stays busy holding positions on the PTA and Boy Scouts organizations. Her cheerful smile greets new patients and welcomes returning clients to the clinic and we’re happy to have her as part of the team. |
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