Departmental Information

Rehabilitation Services is a multidisciplinary team of allied health professionals consisting of Physical and Occupational Therapists and their support staff. There are currently 27 full time employees and 4 part time employees within the department. The department prides itself on providing coordinated and integrated rehabilitation care to individuals with disabilities or impairments in order to maximize function and overall quality of life. In addition, the department creates a climate that emphasizes the importance of clinical research to advance the knowledge base of rehabilitation professionals while increasing patient outcomes. Rehabilitation Services aims to facilitate the education of therapy students by directly participating in classroom lectures at the School of Health Professions and by providing clinical training to students from across the country.

News and Announcements

The Department of Rehabilitation Services is very proud to announce that our program manager, Karen Kunz received the distinguinshed award of "Employee of the Year" for 2009. She has worked at UTMB for 29 years, beginning her therapy career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Karen returned to school and graduated from the School of Allied Health, Occupational Therapy program in 1990. Karen was an icon in the department's mental health program since that time and was the team leader until the tragic closure of the program by hurricane Ike. Karen continues to treat mental health and pediatric patients on an outpatient basis and guest lectures at the School of Health Professions. She has done a phenomenal job as the department's program manager and we could not be prouder to call her one of our own.

Karen's response: I am honored to have been chosen for the Employee of the Year. First, I want to thank Karen Chapman for selecting me as the Program Manager for Rehab Services. Next, I would like to thank the staff they are truly an inspiration as all of the staff I have ever worked with are. The developments that have taken place this past year has created new insights, friendships, ideas, and the commitment that each one of the staff has to their department, patients, and colleagues here at UTMB. As an employee of the University and the Department of Rehabilitation Services for almost 30 years, this award put in perspective the absolute meaning of my accomplishments and goals for my future. Thank-you!

October Spotlight

The Department of Rehabilitation Services is proud to present Paul Rendon as our October Spotlight. Paul has worked at UTMB for the past 17 years. Within that time, 14 years has been devoted to Rehabilitation Services inpatient and outpatient care. In addition, Paul has become well versed in our WorkSTEPS program. He is currently certified in WorkSTEPS for pre-employment physicals, on-site job analyses, FCE’s (Functional Capacity Evaluations), fit for duties, and patient care. Paul continues to demonstrate his desire to learn as he works toward his degree in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program in San Jacinto College. As an avid sports enthusiast, Paul enjoys almost all sports, particularly watching the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Rockets and Houston Astros. Paul also enjoys working with patient’s to accomplish their goals and spending time with his wife and three children. We are extremely honored to have Paul as a member of our team!