Our team

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Carly Gregory is a licensed physical therapist who received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 2020. She specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, or acquired disorders/diseases. Treatments focus mainly on improving gross and fine motor skills, balance and coordination, strength and endurance as well as cognitive and sensory processing/integration. Pediatric physical therapy assists in early detection of health problems and to provide physical therapy for disorders in the pediatric population. Carly loves spending time with her husband and new baby boy.

Annie is one of our amazing Occupational Therapy Technicians and comes to us with over 3 years experience! Previously she worked in a Montessori style school as a teacher and also has taken classes for early childhood education. Her past experiences gives her the ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all children to thrive in. Annie prides herself on being a patient and caring individual who has always had a natural affinity for children. Allowing children to explore, learn, and grow is her main objective. She has a unique ability to connect with children of all ages, putting them at ease with her warm and friendly demeanor. When she is not busy working she enjoys spending time with her 2 cats, her puppy named Simba, having movie nights, and hanging out with her family! 

Kayla is our amazing Occupational Therapist Technician and is currently in her final year at University of Houston. She will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science in May of 2023. Before coming to Empower she was a childcare specialist for 4 years with SBISD. During that time, she truly developed her love and passion for early childhood development and education. When she is not studying Kayla enjoys creating art and has sold 3 pieces! Kayla’s work experience allows her to be a flexible, hardworking, reliable, creative, and a well-rounded OT Tech! Her plan after graduation is to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).  

Lillian Kirkpatrick is a registered Occupational Therapist, proud local Houstonian, and joined the team in September 2022. In 2018, Lillian graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Oklahoma. A few months later, she began her graduate program at Texas Woman’s University in Dallas where she earned her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2020. Before coming to Empower, Lillian worked at an outpatient pediatric clinic outside of Austin as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing specialized therapy services to children with developmental disorders, disabilities, or delays, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Ataxia, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, fine and gross motor delays, etc.

Lillian felt called to be a pediatric occupational therapist at the age of 13 when she spent her summer volunteering with children on the Autism Spectrum. Her passion continued to grow from that point on and led her to where she is today. Lillian’s passion is providing the highest quality of compassionate client-centered care, allowing each child to reach their fullest potential, and providing families with the resources and strategies to benefit the child across all environments.

In her free time, Lillian enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking, tending to all of her houseplants, floating the Frio River, and playing with her dog, Poppy. 

Paige has spent many years working with children from birth to teens which makes her a great OT Tech! She has always had a love for kids and their creative minds. Paige enjoys working with the pediatric population because they keep her on her toes and loves being a part of their formative years! She feels very blessed to be able to see the difference that Empower can make for others. In Paige’s free time, she enjoys being outside, hanging with family, friends, and my 2 dogs, doing puzzles, and painting. 

Ms. Brooke graduated from Texas Tech University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and then, in August 2017 she graduated from Keiser University with her Associates of Science as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She completed both fieldwork rotations in pediatric outpatient clinics which solidified her passion for working in the pediatric field. Since graduation Brooke has built her career in a variety of pediatric settings including an outpatient facility providing multi-disciplinary treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) working alongside ABA and speech therapist; her experience with children on a multi-spectrum of sensory and behavioral personalities allowed her to become a well-rounded clinician. Brooke enjoys working with a diverse pediatric population but, children with Autism have a special place in her heart. Brooke is dedicated to maximizing patients’ potential through expanding her skills and knowledge by completing continuing education courses yearly and working alongside a team with her mentor Brittany Smith, MOT/OTR. One of Brookes’ goals is to further her career in sensory processing hopefully, one day half as good as Ms. Brittany Smith! Brooke loves being her patients’ cheerleader, coach, and advocate using her bubbly, creative, and energetic personality! Every day she is grateful for the ability to be a piece of the puzzle in each life she touches and seeing their progression. In Brooke’s free time she enjoys spending time with her family, dogs, traveling anywhere- mostly being a bridesmaid in close friends’ weddings, and rooting on her alma-mater Texas Tech Red Raiders! 

Eduardo is one of our amazing Occupational Therapy Technicians and has known for a while that he has wanted to work with children. Eduardo feels so fortunate to be working at his dream job. As a graduate from Stratford high school, he loved participating in activities for students with special needs. The program "Lunch buddies" was the highlight of everyday because, it was a time that he was able to sit with, talk to, and engage with peers having special needs. Eduardo has been working and volunteering for Empower for over 3 years and has so much fun doing so! Helping our students play, socialize, build teamworking skills, target health and fitness is what he loves to do. Which is why he’s the perfect fit for Empower! 

Maddie is our amazing early intervention specialist who comes to us from Texas A&M where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology in May 2023. During her time there, she was a member and director of “Providing Smiles and Understanding Needs” (PSUN), a nonprofit organization that serves kids with special needs in the Bryan-College Station area. Maddie also has experience as a counselor at Camp Blessing, providing campers with disabilities across the United States an inclusive and accessible summer camp experience. She has prior work experience as a Respite Attendant for a pediatric patient with special needs, working on life skills for her patients' future success, and has spent time shadowing at a local pediatric clinic. Maddie is incredibly thankful to be at Empower! Most of all she loves being a part of a positive, loving, and supportive team that impacts every child who comes through our doors. She feels most passionate about and determined to provide an inclusive, supportive space for kids to learn about themselves as well as the positive impact they can have on those around them. In her free time, Maddie loves long distance running as well as listening to and playing music on guitar.