The rehabilitation team is made up of licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists.
Velvet Hewett, OT/L, MPA
Velvet Hewett is the Director of Rehabilitation Services and is an Occupational Therapist by background. She has worked both inpatient and outpatient therapy as well as ancillary settings in an administrative capacity leading program management, regulatory processes, service line development, and operations. As an Occupational Therapist, she has practices with both adults
and children specializing in stroke rehabilitation, cognition, muscular dystrophy, arthritis and pediatric development and feeding disorders. Velvet joined UCSD in the summer of 2019.
Carter McElroy, MPT
A physical therapist for 12 years, Mr. McElroy has specialized in treating patients with various neurological disorders for the past 8 years. He has given many community outreach presentations through UCSD and the University of Virginia on the role of physical therapy in treating both Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
Lindsey A. Unger, M.S., CCC-SLP
Lindsey A. Unger, has been a Medical Speech- Language Pathologist since 2011. She started with UCSD Health in December 2018 and joins us from the VA Healthcare System of Greater Los Angeles County. Lindsey has a specific interest in working with patients with Neurodegenerative Disorders, specifically Parkinson's disease. She is certified in SPEAK OUT!, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) and LSVT eLoud. Her passion lies in assisting individuals to live their best life through optimizing communication and swallowing and breaking through the barriers and challenges that hinder positive change.
Kristine C. Negrete, PT, DPT, NCS
Kristine Negrete earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University in Arizona. She completed a Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency with Northern Arizona University and Honor Health. She is also a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS). Dr. Negrete is a physical therapist who specializes in treating patients with various neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, stroke, brain and spinal cord injuries, vestibular and balance disorders including post- concussion syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre and post-polio syndrome.
Jessie Agrimis, PT, DPT, NCS
Jessie Agrimis, is a physical therapist who specializes in treating patients with various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, stroke, vestibular and balance disorders, multiple sclerosis, brain and spinal cord injuries, Guillain-Barre syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and post-polio syndrome. Dr. Agrimis teaches individuals how to manage, prevent, or improve their condition to maximize movement and function, and improve quality of life across the lifespan. Prior to joining UCSD, Dr. Agrimis earned her doctorate in physical therapy at San Diego State University. She completed the neurologic physical therapy residency program at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. She is Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS) and holds a certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
Julie Larsen, OTD, OTR/L
Julie is an occupational therapist who treats patients with neurological disorders and is paneled by California Children's Services (CCS). Julie received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from UCLA, a Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from USC, and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from USC with emphasis on mental health. Prior to UCSD, Julie worked at Loma Linda University Medical Center specializing in pediatric and adult neurological rehab working
with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebal palsy, low vision, developmental delay, and autism. Julie enjoys being outdoors and spending time with family in her spare time.
Cory Troyer, PT, DPT
Cory Troyer, is a licensed physical therapist who helps people with orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions. She enjoys using evidenced based practice to progress patients towards their functional goals through the use of movement. Cory earned her doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan and Bachelor of science Degree in Health Fitness Preventative and Rehabilitative Programs from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.