Therapeutic Innovations - Therapist Staff

Physical Therapist
Nancy Jean Lambert, PhD, PT is physical therapists who specialize in treating adults and children with neurological motor deficits, and infants and toddlers with early intervention needs. Dr. Lambert is an experienced physical therapist who mentors and oversees the entire staff at Therapeutic Innovations. With a doctorate in Exercise Science and a concentration in Motor Integration, she has taught in graduate and undergraduate programs at the University of Denver and East Carolina University. She is currently the director of the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Martin Community College. Patient focus includes return to function for patients with CVA’s, Parkinson’s disease, vestibular deficits, traumatic brain injury, balance dysfunction, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other central nervous system disorders.

Dr. Robert D. Mull, PT, DPT received his undergraduate degree at Siena College in Loudonville, NY and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Sage Colleges in Troy, NY. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army Reserves where he gained extensive training and professional development in orthopedic and muscular-skeletal assessment and treatment. Much of his post graduate academic studies focused on the evaluation and treatment of back and neck pain. He has extensive experience in a broad range of ages from adolescents to geriatrics. With over 20 years of experience this makes him a highly qualified therapist that helps lead the PT team of therapists at Therapeutic Innovations.

Elaine U. Brestel, PT, graduated from the University of Florida with her bachelors degree in Physical Therapy. With over 40 years experience she has worked with all ages but specializes in adults, and geriatrics. She has attended numerous workshops in manual therapy as well as the McKenzie courses for disk problems. She works primarily with neck, back and hip pain. Elaine specializes in Thoracic Outlet Syndromes and Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunctions (TMJ) of the jaw, as well as headaches. She holds numerous certificates for pool therapy from the American Red Cross, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and American Arthritis Foundation etc.

Jamie Van Essendelft, BS, PTA, received her Associates Degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Martin Community College (MCC) in 1997. In 1999 she received her Bachelor’s Degree from Mount Olive College. Jamie has a specialty in pediatric Physical Therapy through her years of experience in daycares, home health and school systems. She has experience working with multiple diagnoses including spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays. She currently works in homes, daycares and in the clinic with pediatric and homebound patients. She attends continuing education courses and training classes for pediatrics. Jamie also teaches at Martin Community College year round as a clinical instructor of intro to physical therapy, and pediatric therapy.

Kristen Johnson, PTA, graduated from Martin Community College in 2006 with her Associates of Applied Science degree. After graduating she worked with the geriatric population in a skilled nursing home. She has experience working with all ages in home health with homebound patients. For the past 3 years she has worked primarily with pediatric patients. Currently she works mainly with early intervention (birth to three years) and school age children in the home setting or daycare. She works with children who have developmental delays, Cerebral Palsy, and Downs Syndrome. Kristen continues her education though classes and seminars, and works as a mentor with PTA students allowing them to shadow her for clinical experience.

Casey Hoggard, PTA, received her Associates Degree at Martin Community College in 2005 in Applied Science and has been working in pediatrics for 5 years. She has experience in home health but works primarily with pediatric patients in their natural environment. She has experience with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, osteogenesis imperfecta, hydrocephaly, microcephaly, developmental delay, traumatic brain injury and more. She especially enjoys seeing pediatric patients progress to their goals and reach milestones.
Occupational Therapy
Kim Brown, M.S., OTR/L is a pediatric Occupational Therapist. She received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University in 2008. She has a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and a minor in Child Development and Family Relations also from East Carolina University. Before coming to Therapeutic Innovations she worked as a case manager with disabled children. She has received additional training in Handwriting without Tears and the Beckman Oral Motor Program. She has experience working with children of all ages with developmental learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and other neurological impairments. She works with children in their natural environment as well as in the clinic. She continues to attend trainings and classes to enhance her education as well as frequently serves as a mentor to students looking to become an occupational therapist.

Jessi West, M.S., OTR/L is a pediatric Occupational Therapist. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Rehabilitation Studies and with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy, both from East Carolina University. She has taken educational classes on oral motor exercises, specifically Beckman Oral Motor protocol and Handwriting without Tears, to help teach all children how to write using a multi-sensory approach. She began her career in clinic-based pediatrics and then gained experience working with adults in a hospital setting. She is now back in private practice at Therapeutic Innovations, serving children with special needs in their homes, schools, daycares, and at the clinic. She currently is employed full-time for Craven County Schools. She has been an Occupational Therapist since August 2005 and thoroughly enjoys working in pediatrics.

Pete Balent, OT, received his degree in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University in 1999 and has worked in the Occupation Therapy field for over 10 years. He specializes in geriatrics. He has extensive experience working with CVA patients as well as orthopedic patients. He has worked in hospital inpatient and outpatient settings, skilled nursing centers and home health settings. He works part-time for Therapeutic Innovations and sees patients in the clinic as well as in the home. He is an avid sports fan and attends all the ECU Pirates games he can.
Speech Therapy
Stephanie Smith, MEd., CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language Pathologist. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology in 1993 from NC State, and with her Masters in Speech Language Pathology in 1996 from North Carolina Central University. She has over 15 years of experience working with pediatric and adult populations. She has worked with adult populations with disorders such as Aphasia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. She specializes in working with infant, toddler, and school age children through early intervention of speech and language disorders. She has extensive experience with speech delay, Apraxia, Dysarthria, feeding and swallowing disorders (Dysphagia), and children with autism.

Judy Thorne, MS, CCC-SLP, ATP is a Speech Language Pathologist who works in pediatrics. She graduated from Central Institute for the Deaf in 1966 with a Bachelors Degree in Deaf Education. She received a Masters Degree in Speech Therapy from East Carolina University in 1996. She became certified (RESNA) AAC specialist in 1999. She has over 40 years of experience working with speech delays, hearing problems, language deficits, and tongue thrust issues. Judy has experience working with preschool deaf children and multi-handicapped adults. She has extensive experience with children with autism, stuttering problems, speech delays, and augmentative communication devices. She also mentors and supports students who are in the process of applying to Speech Language Pathology programs at ECU through observation and individual counseling.

Virginia Barwick, MA, CCC-SLP has a Master of the Arts in Speech Language Pathology from UNC-Greensboro in 2002. She has 8 years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with Aphasia, Apraxia, Autism, Dysarthria, Dysphasia, Augmentative/Alternative Communication needs, Dementia and developmental delays. She works in pediatrics with children of all ages. She moved to the Greenville area with her family in 2003 and enjoys working with children and adults to improve their speech, language, and swallowing disorders. She also works as a mentor allowing East Carolina Students to observe her therapy sessions as well as appears as a guest speaker educating students about the field of Speech Therapy.