Meet the Team
Occupational Therapy
![Cindy Cochran](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/cochran_cindy_2135.jpg)
Cindy Cochran, OT/L, CHT
Co-Director of Rehabilitation Services
Education: Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Certification: Certified Hand Therapist
Areas of Specialty: Shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
![Jessica Cornett](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/JessicaCornett.jpg)
Jessica Cornett, MS, OTR/L
Education: Master of Science in occupational therapy, University of South Alabama; Bachelor of Science in exercise science, University of Southern Mississippi
Certification: Certified in LSVT Big
Areas of Focus: Trained in neurodevelopmental treatment
Occupational Therapy Assistants
![Jessi Clinton](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/JessiClinton.jpg)
Jessi Clinton, COTA/L
Education: Associate of Applied Science in occupational therapy assistance, Pearl River Community College
Areas of Focus: Fine motor development, handwriting
![Dennis Holder](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/DennisHolder.jpg)
Dennis Holder, COTA/L
Education: Associate of Applied Science in occupational therapy assistance, Pearl River Community College
Areas of Focus: Geriatrics, neurological
![Kathryn Howell](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/howell, kathryn.jpg)
Kathryn Tran, COTA/L
Education: Associates in Occupational Therapy, Pearl River Community College
Areas of Focus: Transitional care, geriatrics
Physical Therapy
![Michelle Thompson](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/thompson_michelle_2149.jpg)
Michelle Thompson, MPT
Co-Director of Rehabilitation Services
Education: Master of Physical Therapy, University of South Alabama; Bachelor of Physical Science, Auburn University at Montgomery
Areas of Focus: Back injuries, neurological, acute care, transitional care unit
![Eiland](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/Eiland_%20Makayla.jpg)
Makayla Eiland, DPT
Education: Bachelor of science in kinesiology with emphasis in clinical exercise physiology from Mississippi State University; Doctor of Physical Therapy from William Carey University
Areas of Focus: Acute care, geriatrics
![Graves](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/JOANNA%20GRAVES.jpg)
Joanna Graves, PT
Education: Bachelor of Science in physical therapy, University of South Alabama
Certifications: American Physical Therapy Association Certified Clinical Instructor
Areas of Focus: Acute care
![Rusty McDonald](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/RustyMcDonald.jpg)
Rusty McDonald, PT
Education: Bachelor of Science in exercise science, University of Southern Mississippi; Master of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Certification: Certified in dry needling
Areas of Focus: Orthopedics, sports medicine, disorders and injuries of the spine
![Kristy Pace](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/KristyPace.jpg)
Kristy Pace, PT
Education: Bachelor of Science in physical therapy, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Certification: Certified in LSVT Big; Certified APTA Clinical Instructor
Areas of Focus: Orthopedics, neurological, Parkinson’s disease
![Sarah Roberts](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/roberts, sarah.jpg)
Sarah Roberts, DPT
Education: Bachelor of Science in kinesiology, clinical exercise physiology, Mississippi State University; Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of South Alabama
Areas of Focus: Geriatrics, acute, transitional care unit
![Kim Ryder](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/KimRyder.jpg)
Kim Ryder, MPT
Education: Bachelor of Science in sports medicine, University of Southern Mississippi; Master of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Certification: Certified in Dry Needling; Certified American Physical Therapy Association Clinical Instructor
Areas of Focus: Neurological, orthopedics, functional rehabilitation, gait and running analysis
![whitfield](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/BRITTIAN%20WHITFIELD.jpg)
Brittain Whitfield, PTA
Education: Pearl River Community College - Associate Degree for physical therapy assistant, University of Southern Mississippi; Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and choreography
Areas of Focus: Outpatient adult, pediatrics, neurological and orthopedics
Physical Therapist Assistants
![Kurt Dunlap](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/dunlap, kurt.jpg)
Kurt Dunlap, PTA
Education: Associate of Science in physical therapy, Polk State College
Areas of focus: Geriatrics, orthopedics, neurology
![Tammie Holifield](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/TammieHolifield.jpg)
Tammie Holifield, LPTA
Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Southern Mississippi; Associate Degree for Physical Therapist Assistant, Pearl River Community College
Areas of Focus: Geriatrics, aquatic therapy
![hollingsworth](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/TED%20HOLLINGSWORTH.jpg)
Ted Hollingsworth, LPTA
Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Southern Mississippi; Associate Degree for Physical Therapist Assistant, Pearl River Community College
Areas of Focus: Joint program - acute care, outpatient, transitional care unit
Speech Therapy
![Lori Plumlee](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/plumlee-laurie_2166.jpg)
Lori Plumlee, M.S., CCC-SLP
Co-Director of Rehabilitation Services
Education: Master of Science in speech-language pathology, Bachelor of Arts, University of Southern Mississippi
Certifications: Certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, modified barium swallow certified, myofascial release certified
Areas of Focus: Head and neck cancer, neonatal and acute care, modified barium swallow studies, trach/speaking valves
![McElveen](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/Erika%20McElveen.jpg)
Erika McElveen, M.S. CCC-SLP
Education: Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in speech language pathology, University of Southern Mississippi
Certifications: Certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, VitalStim
Areas of Focus: Pediatrics, outpatient, and acute care
![Rebekah Stennett](/Uploads/Public/Images/Page-Banners/secondary-images/merit-health/wesley/stennet, rebekah.jpg)
Rebekah Stennett, M.S., CCC-SLP
Education: Master of Arts in speech language pathology, Louisiana Tech University; Bachelor of Arts, University of Southern Mississippi; Associate of Arts, Meridian Community College
Certifications: Certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, VitalStim
Areas of Focus: Acute and transitional care, pediatrics, adult acute and outpatient care