Staff

Debbie Lee-Murray, PT, MPT

Debbie Lee-Murray PT, MPT is a native Houstonian who graduated from University of Houston in 1994. She then went to University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and graduated with a Master's in Physical Therapy. Since that time, Debbie opened up OakBend Balance & Neuro PT in 2004. Debbie has a passion for working with people that have neurological, balance & vestibular deficits. Her business model includes having one therapist working with one patient at a time. "I do believe that the patients will greatly benefit from a one-on-one treatment. We witness remarkable improvements every day. Being in this field is truly a blessing."

Melissa Fortenberry, OTR

Melissa Fortenberry OTR has worked for OakBend Balance & Neuro PT for almost 8 years. She loves working there because it gives her the chance to work closely with clients that deal with a variety of complex coordination and strength issues as well as helping clients move past dizziness and forward with their lives. Melissa is a native of Lumberton, Texas. She graduated from Texas Women's University with a degree in Occupational Therapy in 1996. She have spent her whole career with adults here in Houston. Melissa began focusing on medically complex patients and specializing in neurological disorders in 1999 when she moved from Memorial Hermann Rehab Hospital to Memorial Hermann Continuing Care Southwest. Balance Physical Therapy has given Melissa the opportunity to gain her Certification in Vestibular Rehab, become a Bioness and a Saebo Trained Therapist. Melissa has been married for 17 years and has 2 daughters. She and her family live in Westbury and they love to spend time outdoors and socializing with friends. "I love that I see many of my clients around the community getting back to their lives."

Kelly Twohey-Byrne PT, MS

Kelly Twohey-Byrne PT, MS joined OakBend Balance & Neuro PT in 2011 and has over 27 years of experience specializing in neurological, orthopedic, vestibular rehabilitation and balance/fall prevention. She graduated with a BS in biology in 1986 and her Master of Science in physical therapy from Texas Woman's University in 1988. Prior to joining OakBend Balance & Neuro PT, she worked for Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation, TIRR Memorial Hermann Challenge community re-entry program and TIRR Outpatient focusing on patients suffering with neurological disorders, brain injury, stroke, multi-trauma, vestibular disorders and orthopedic injuries. She was instrumental in developing the PT program for Project Victory, a private grant-funded TIRR program for veterans and active duty soldiers suffering from mild traumatic brain injury and post concussion syndrome. The treatment regime for the soldiers focused on neurological, vestibular, orthopedic injuries and chronic pain. Since joining OakBend Balance & Neuro PT, she has continued her passion for treating neurological, vestibular, and orthopedic diagnoses as well as specializing in the care of post concussion syndrome patients. Kelly is a member of the APTA, the neurological special interest group and Concussion Health. She is NDT certified and Concussion Certified Specialist. Kelly loves being able to provide the individual care that all patients deserve to reach their goals during and after therapy.

Jennifer Fuentes, PT, DPT

Jennifer graduated summa cum laude from Wayland Baptist University with a BS in Biology in 2005 and went on to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Hardin Simmons University in 2008. She began her career volunteering as a PT with active duty soldiers and airmen in Germany and carries in her heart extreme gratitude for all who have served this country. Jennifer joined OakBend Balance & Neuro PT in 2016 when making the Houston area her permanent home after traveling the world as a PT and military spouse. She has experience working in a variety of therapy settings and treating patients of all ages. Her clinical experience includes treating patients with acute medical illness and deconditioning, stroke, brain injury, various neurological diagnosis, and numerous orthopedic dysfunctions. Her true passion lies in treating patients for vestibular dysfunction, balance/fall risk, and neurological disorders. Jennifer received her Certification in Vestibular Rehabilitation in 2017. She enjoys the one-on-one treatment and individualized care she is able to provide her patients at OakBend Balance & Neuro PT as it leads to building trusting patient/therapist relationships. Her favorite part of being a PT is working with her patients to reach their personal goals, allowing them to return to a life they love. Jennifer is married to her husband Jason, they have two children and two mini schnauzers. They live in Pearland, Texas and are thankful to have planted roots there. In her time away from being a PT, Jennifer enjoys being a mom, watching Astros baseball, lifting weights, and soaking in the Texas sunshine with her family.

Kathy Jones, PT, MS, NCS

Kathy Jones, PT, MS, NCS joined OakBend Balance & Neuro PT in 2018 and has over 14 years of experience specializing in neurological, vestibular rehabilitation, and balance/fall prevention. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a BA in Psychology in 2000 and with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University in 2004. Prior to joining OakBend Balance & Neuro PT, she worked for Harris Heath and for Mentis Neuro Health. Her experience includes acute, post-acute, outpatient rehabilitation, and community re-integration for patients suffering with neurological disorders including brain injury, stroke, multi-trauma, and vestibular disorders. Kathy has been a Board Certified Neurologic Physical Therapy Specialist since 2008 and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist since 2014. She has also been faculty at Harris Health Neurologic Physical Therapy residency program since 2016, where she has had the opportunity to provide mentorship to physical therapy residents seeking specialization in treating neurologic disorders. Kathy is thrilled able to continue her passion for treating patients with neurologic and vestibular disorders since joining our team. She appreciates having the opportunity to work one-on-one with her patients, as it allows for truly individualized care. When not at work, Kathy enjoys spending time with her husband and two children as well as spending time outdoors.

Allison Teheng, PT

Allison Teheng, PT is a native Houstonian who graduated from the University of Richmond in 1995. She then went to the Medical College of Georgia and graduated with a Master's in Physical Therapy in 2000. Allison quickly got back to Houston and worked in acute care and long term acute care hospitals with a focus on treating patients with medically complex and neurological diagnoses. While raising her three children with her husband, Allison transitioned to work in the home healthcare environment treating patients both in their homes and in the community with various home health agencies and Rehab Without Walls. She joined OakBend Balance & Neuro PT to continue her interests in working with people with neurological and vestibular diagnoses. Allison values the ability to see patients on a one-on-basis and truly enjoys the opportunity to help each person attain their goals.

Sierra Muir, PT, DPT

Sierra Muir, PT, DPT is a native Houstonian with a passion for helping patients get back to what they love most. Sierra graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with her degree in Biology and Psychology. While attending Notre Dame, Sierra spent a semester in Western Australia where she was able to take several courses in bioenergetics and advanced physiology - further confirming her love of studying the intricacies of the human body. She then went on to complete her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Duke University, where she participated in several supplemental learning opportunities involving neurological and vestibular patient populations. Sierra has previous clinical experience working with complex patient populations, having worked full-time in both acute and inpatient rehabilitation settings prior to BNPT. Her true passion lies in treating patients with vestibular dysfunction due to the dramatic, life-changing improvements that patients are able to experience with the help of vestibular PT. In her free time, Sierra loves to spend time with her friends, family, fiance, and 2-year old Doberman named Duke.