Perlman Medical Offices

Therapists at Perlman Medical Offices

Physical Therapy | Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

	Kerry A. McCullough, PT, DPT Physical Therapist, Manager of Perlman Rehabilitation Clinic Contact Me: kmccullough@ucsd.edu Kerry McCullough began her career as a physical therapist at the teaching hospital of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she worked in inpatient and outpatient care before moving into private practice at Marathon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. Kerry is also a certified Stott Pilates instructor and has integrated the method’s principles into her practice of physical therapy. She joined UC San Diego in 2008 as a staff therapist working with orthopedic and burn patients. Prior to accepting her current position as supervisor of the Perlman Physical Therapy and Hand Clinic, she was the physical therapy supervisor at the Medical Center in Hillcrest. Kerry received the California Physical Therapy Association’s Rising Star Award in 2010 and the Leadership Development Team’s People Developer Award in 2011. She was also nominated for the Exemplary Employee of the Year Award in 2011. Also in 2011, she attended the University of California’s Leadership Assessment Program – a program only six UC San Diego employees are nominated for each year. She is an active member of the California Physical Therapy Association and has held positions within the organization as secretary, membership committee chair, task force member and representative for the San Diego District. Kerry volunteers as a camp counselor for Camp Beyond the Scars – a camp for children who are burn victims. She also volunteers for many physical therapy and sporting events. She has a passion for orthopedics and sports medicine, and has been active in sports since childhood. Kerry was the captain of her soccer and volleyball teams in high school and still enjoys playing beach volleyball and competing with the Peninsula Women’s Soccer League. Some of her other active interests include running, biking, backpacking, hiking and skiing. Educational Background Doctorate of physical therapy – Simmons College, Boston
	Julie Hall, PT, DPT Physical Therapist Julie’s experience as a physical therapist includes working with orthopedic, sports medicine, geriatric, and pre- and postnatal patients. She is exceptionally skilled in working with multi-trauma patients and has successfully rehabilitated many patients after limb salvage procedures, allowing them to return to their normal, active lifestyles. Julie has authored a research article, and stays up to date on evidence-based practices by participating in a journal club. Julie played competitive soccer and softball and ran cross-country in high school, and has also played recreational soccer. She loves to teach and has coached middle school volleyball, in addition to serving as a clinic instructor for physical therapy students pursuing their doctorates. Julie is a half-marathon runner who is training for her third race since moving to San Diego in 2007. She is also pursuing her orthopedic specialty certification. In her free time, Julie likes to spend time with her family and friends, take her dog “Chip” for walks and go to the beach. Educational Background Doctorate of physical therapy – Temple University, Philadelphia
	Lauren Hermas, MPT, OCS, COMT Physical Therapist A Southern California native, Lauren completed her postgraduate work at the Ola Grimsby Institute in San Diego, earning a certification in orthopedic manual therapy. She is a board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialist and is currently pursuing an additional manual therapy certification in the Maitland Australian approach. Lauren has been practicing physical therapy at UC San Diego Health System since 1998 and has extensive clinical experience in orthopedics, utilizing evidence-based practices and manual therapy techniques. She works with patients who have a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions, and is particularly skilled in treatment of the neck and back, foot and ankle and temporal mandibular joint dysfunction. Lauren can’t imagine being anything other than a physical therapist. She loves helping patients realize their physical and functional goals through physical rehabilitation. When not in the clinic, she enjoys hiking, running, camping, rock climbing, home improvement projects and spending time with friends and with her son, Kai. Educational Background Master’s degree in physical therapy – Mount Saint Mary’s College, Los Angeles Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology – California State University, Northridge
	Noe Madrigal, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant Noe is a licensed physical therapist assistant and is exceptionally skilled in manual therapy, kinesio taping, myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization. Noe loves working with orthopedic patients, particularly those recovering from surgery or rehabbing ACL or rotator cuff injuries. He has successfully helped rehabilitate many collegiate and professional athletes so they can return to their sport. Noe is loved by all of his patients and is a tremendous asset to UC San Diego’s rehabilitation team. Noe grew up in Santa Cruz County and played basketball in college. He has a brother who is a pitcher in the minor leagues. Noe is bilingual, happily married and the father of three young sons. He enjoys teaching his boys how to play baseball and basketball. Educational Background Associate’s degree in kinesiology – Western Institute of Science and Health
	Jeff Mitchell, PT, MS, OCS, CMP Physical Therapist Jeff is board-certified as an orthopedic clinical specialist and holds a specialty manual therapy certification as a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP). Prior to joining UC San Diego Health System, Jeff practiced 9 years at the Lexington Clinic Sports Medicine Center where he treated professional and collegiate athletes. Jeff has a passion to see patients function to their maximal potential and his Mulligan certification makes him an expert in performing manual techniques that cause immediate pain relief and increased mobility. Jeff has instructed numerous physical therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals as a lab instructor at the Lexington Clinic Shoulder Symposium. Jeff is also an APTA credentialed clinical Instructor. His exceptional skill as a physical therapist focus on treating orthopedic and sports injuries and conditions. He specializes in pre/post-operative shoulder and knee rehabilitation; and manual therapy, and he takes a kinetic-chain approach to functional rehabilitation. Jeff has traveled the world doing mission work. He has been to over 37 countries, and recently taught a group of physical therapists in Benghazi, Libya after the recent revolutionary war. He also enjoys playing sports, running, and working out. Jeff has a taste for adventure and has gone white water rafting and bungee jumping in the Nile, and has also skydived. Educational Background Master’s degree in physical therapy – University of Kentucky, Lexington
	Michelle Obispo, PT, DPT Physical Therapist Michelle joined UC San Diego Health System Rehabilitation Services in March 2012 and works as a physical therapist at the Perlman Physical Therapy and Hand Clinic. Michelle graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) and completed her clinical work at several outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinics in Los Angeles and San Diego, including USC Physical Therapy Associates and Sharp Rees-Stealy. Michelle also worked in a skilled nursing and rehab facility, assisting patients with dementia, cardiac pathologies, cancer, joint replacements and lower extremity amputations. While earning her undergraduate degree at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), Michelle volunteered at the Preschool Early Motor and Development Clinic. She was also the project coordinator for the CSULB Kinesiology Movement Lab and published research in the International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training. Michelle has been an active member in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) since 2008. She is currently pursuing clinical certification as an orthopedic specialist. She is passionate about orthopedics and helping patients regain functioning and return to the activities they enjoy. In her spare time, Michelle she enjoys kayaking, ballroom dancing, playing the piano, traveling, cooking and trying new restaurants. She sings for One Voice Choir, a local performance choir that is involved in community outreach. Michelle also enjoys volunteering for soup kitchens and participating in fundraising walks, such as Relay for Life and the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk. Educational Background Doctoral degree in physical therapy – University of Southern California, Los Angeles Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and certificate in gerontology – California State University, Long Beach

Occupational Therapy

	Margaret Amaral, OTR/L, CHT Occupational Therapist Margaret is a licensed occupational therapist who also has specialized training as a certified hand therapist (CHT). She previously served as director of the Hand Therapy Program at Balboa Naval Medical Center, and has been with UC San Diego Health System for over 15 years. Margaret earned her hand therapy certification in 1992. Prerequisites for this exam include five years’ experience as a registered therapist and 4,000 hours dedicated to examination and treatment of patients with upper extremity pathologies. Margaret is licensed by the California Board of Occupational Therapy with specialty certifications in hand therapy and physical agent modalities. She is a member of the National Board of Occupational Therapy and the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Margaret has previously held positions with the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). She also co-authored a chapter in Orthopaedic Rehabilitation by Dr. Botte and Dr. Nickel. Margaret received the Marty Evert Service Award from the OTAC San Diego Chapter in 1991. She loves her job and the challenges that come with maintaining hand therapy certification. She also enjoys working with surgeons and patients in order to help patients achieve their highest level of recovery. Margaret feels the best part of her job is seeing her patients achieve their goals and return to their normal level of functioning. Margaret’s favorite injuries and conditions to treat include tendon repairs, arthritis, fractures and complex reconstructive repairs of the hand, such as digital replantation, crush injures and nerve repairs. When she is not spending time with her family, she enjoys playing tennis, swimming and hiking. Educational Background Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy – University of Southern California, Los Angeles
	Lisa Harris, OTR/L, CHT Occupational Therapist Lisa is an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist (CHT). She started her career in Minneapolis, Minnesota as a general therapist and after a few years, left the cold of the Midwest for the desert in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lisa developed an interest in hand rehabilitation that lead her to work for several hand surgeons and establish her own practice, further developing her skills and expertise. Lisa was among the first group of therapists to become nationally certified in hand rehabilitation in 1990. While working at Maricopa Medical Burn Center, Lisa was able to integrate her knowledge and skills of hand therapy into burn rehab, adding another dimension to the evolving field of burn therapy. After 27 years living in the desert, Lisa decided to escape the heat and experience life near the ocean in San Diego, bringing her expertise and knowledge to UC San Diego Health System’s Hand Therapy team. Lisa is the mother of three adult children and a Border Collie, and also has an identical twin sister. Her interests include swimming, playing the guitar and traveling. Educational Background Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy – University of Wisconsin, Madison

Margaret Amaral, OTR/L, CHT
Occupational Therapist
Margaret is a licensed occupational therapist who also has specialized training as a certified hand therapist (CHT). She previously served as director of the Hand Therapy Program at Balboa Naval Medical Center, and has been with UC San Diego Health System for over 15 years. Margaret earned her hand therapy certification in 1992. Prerequisites for this exam include five years’ experience as a registered therapist and 4,000 hours dedicated to examination and treatment of patients with upper extremity pathologies.

Margaret is licensed by the California Board of Occupational Therapy with specialty certifications in hand therapy and physical agent modalities. She is a member of the National Board of Occupational Therapy and the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Margaret has previously held positions with the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). She also co-authored a chapter in Orthopaedic Rehabilitation by Dr. Botte and Dr. Nickel.

Margaret received the Marty Evert Service Award from the OTAC San Diego Chapter in 1991. She loves her job and the challenges that come with maintaining hand therapy certification. She also enjoys working with surgeons and patients in order to help patients achieve their highest level of recovery. Margaret feels the best part of her job is seeing her patients achieve their goals and return to their normal level of functioning.

Margaret’s favorite injuries and conditions to treat include tendon repairs, arthritis, fractures and complex reconstructive repairs of the hand, such as digital replantation, crush injures and nerve repairs. When she is not spending time with her family, she enjoys playing tennis, swimming and hiking.

Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy – University of Southern California, Los Angeles

Lisa Harris, OTR/L, CHT
Occupational Therapist
Lisa is an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist (CHT). She started her career in Minneapolis, Minnesota as a general therapist and after a few years, left the cold of the Midwest for the desert in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lisa developed an interest in hand rehabilitation that lead her to work for several hand surgeons and establish her own practice, further developing her skills and expertise. Lisa was among the first group of therapists to become nationally certified in hand rehabilitation in 1990.

While working at Maricopa Medical Burn Center, Lisa was able to integrate her knowledge and skills of hand therapy into burn rehab, adding another dimension to the evolving field of burn therapy. After 27 years living in the desert, Lisa decided to escape the heat and experience life near the ocean in San Diego, bringing her expertise and knowledge to UC San Diego Health System’s Hand Therapy team.

Lisa is the mother of three adult children and a Border Collie, and also has an identical twin sister. Her interests include swimming, playing the guitar and traveling.

Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy – University of Wisconsin, Madison