Our Staff
Kelsey Harris, PT, DPT, CSRS
CEO and Founder
Kelsey achieved her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2016 from Duquesne University. She achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from Duquesne University in 2014. Kelsey has passionately spent the majority of her career treating the neurologic population, with a specialization in stroke and brain injury recovery. Kelsey is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and firmly believes in treating the individual holistically, taking the time to listen to each client and their family to ensure an individualized treatment plan. To Kelsey, you are more than just a client, you're family!
In her free time, Kelsey enjoys cooking, fishing, watching the Steelers and spending time outdoors with her two dogs, Jax and Kora.
Our Physical Therapy Team
Amanda,PT, DPT, NCS, CSRS
Physical Therapist
I graduated with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University in 2013. In 2018 I became a Board Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. I am a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and am certified in treatment techniques specific to patients with Parkinson Disease.
I have always had a passion for the neurologic population- each case is unique and allows me to use my critical thinking skills. I am committed to life long learning and am always seeking out educational opportunities. I also value teaching and mentoring aspiring neurologic physical therapists.
Aside from physical therapy, my world revolves around spoiling my Bernese Mountain Dog, Riley. My fiancé and I also enjoy hiking, running, house projects, traveling and anything that keeps us outside.
Kat, PT, DPT, CSRS
Physical Therapist
Kat graduated from Duquesne University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Since graduating, she spent her first year working in a trauma hospital seeing patients with a variety of diagnoses. Kat has a very strong interest in working with the neurologic population and plans to pursue further certification in this field.
Kat firmly believes in patient advocacy and ensuring patients receive the care and treatment they deserve. She wants to serve as a platform for patients, allowing them to achieve goals that are important to them.
Outside of being a PT, Kat enjoys traveling, seeing live music, and spending time with her cat, Luna.
Harrison,PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Harrison graduated from Duquesne University in 2024 with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He also earned two Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Health Sciences from Duquesne University in 2022. Prior to graduating, he was a physical therapy student with NeuroAxis Rehab. Additionally, he has experience in a variety of settings including outpatient orthopedics, acute care, and outpatient neurologic rehabilitation. Harrison enjoys working with the neurologic population and intends to advance his learning through certifications in the field.
In his free time, Harrison enjoys fishing, being outdoors, and spending time with his dog, Maggie, and cat, Myra.
Dawsyn, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Hi, I’m Dawsyn! I attended Gannon University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees: receiving a Bachelor’s in Applied Exercise Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy. During my clinical experiences, I developed a strong interest in working with the neurological population because no two patients present the same, allowing me to think outside the box for each patient. I am passionate about helping patients with neurological conditions work toward functional independence and watching them make gains.
During my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, going on walks, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family.
Nanami, PT, DPT, GCS
Physical Therapist
Nanami is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy who graduated from Slippery Rock University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2021, completed a Geriatric PT Residency through UPMC Rehabilitation Institute in 2022 where she gained experience working at outpatient vestibular/neurological/orthopedics, acute care, inpatient rehab, and skilled nursing facility settings. Thereafter, she spent 2 years working in inpatient rehab on a brain injury specialty unit prior to joining NeuroAxis. Nanami is passionate about making a difference in patient’s and their family’s lives through fun, meaningful, individualized care as well as teaching/mentoring students interested in geriatric/neurological PT.
Outside of patient care, Nanami enjoys exploring breweries & restaurants, traveling, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with friends/family!
Our Occupational Therapy Team
Annelies, OTR/L, CBIS
Occuptaional Therapist
Annelies has her masters in occupational therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a certified brain injury specialist with significant experience in neuro/stroke/brain injury rehab. Annelies enjoys helping people achieve their rehab goals and getting them to be more independent in their day to day life.
Outside of work she loves being in nature and spending time with her significant other and dog, including traveling, hiking, biking, and whitewater kayaking.
Bryton, OTR/L, MSCS
Occuptaional Therapist
Bryton achieved her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of New England in 2018. Since graduating, her career has focused on helping people with neurologic diagnoses achieve their rehab goals and reach their fullest potential. She received her Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Certification in 2020. She loves the opportunities occupational therapy provides her to learn about the most important aspects of her client’s lives and problem solve ways to make these things accessible to them again.
A New Jersey native, Bryton loves spending time at the beach, hiking with her dogs, Bailey and Goose or trying new foods around the city.
Laurie, OTD, OTR/L
Occuptaional Therapist
Laurie is a Pittsburgh native and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Laurie has a passion for working with the neurologic population and loves to learn about clients’ unique stories to best support them during their recovery journeys. She hopes to pursue further certification in stroke rehabilitation in the future.
In her free time, Laurie loves to read, cook, practice yoga, and spend time with friends and family.
Taylor, MSOT, OTR/L
Occuptaional Therapist
Taylor received her undergraduate degree at John Carroll University in 2014 with a focus on public health. She received her Masters of Occupational Therapy at D’Youville University in 2018. Since then, she worked in acute inpatient rehab and became a certified stroke rehabilitation specialist. Taylor loves occupational therapy because it focuses on the whole person and their journey to functional independence.
Outside of work, Taylor loves to spend time with her son, Oliver, run, paddle board, and jam out to live music.
Tori, OTD, OTR/L, CSRS
Occuptaional Therapist
I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in 2021. I have a passion for learning what is most important to my clients and working together to find ways they can participate in their daily activities. Experiencing a family member go through recovery after a stroke is one of the reasons I became an OT. I am a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and am always looking to advance my knowledge in different areas to best serve my clients.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, watching Pittsburgh sports, food (especially ice cream and coffee) and spending time with friends.
Our Speech Therapy Team
Lea, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Lea graduated with her Master's in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Louisiana State University in 2014 and her Bachelor's in Psychology from Penn State University in 2010. Lea is passionate about helping people improve their quality of life by communicating with their loved ones and by eating and drinking in the safest way possible. She has worked in inpatient rehab, acute care, skilled nursing, and travel therapy. By working across different settings, she understands the rehabilitation process all the way from the day after a stroke or neurological diagnosis, to years later. She is a fierce advocate for her patients and understands how difficult it can be to navigate the healthcare world especially with the chronic issues that come along with a neurological disorder or stroke.
Outside of speech and swallow therapy, Lea likes to read, cook, dance, and spend time with her husband and rescue dog.
Alyse, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Hi, my name is Alyse! I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with my Masters in Speech and Language Pathology in 2018. Since then, I have worked in acute adult settings and pediatric based settings to assure patients are getting the functional care that they deserve. I have a special interest in neurologic populations and helping patients effectively communicate with the people that matter to them most.
Outside of speech therapy, I enjoy running, cooking, traveling, and trying out new restaurants!
Lyla Rose, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Lyla Rose is a certified Speech Language Pathologist with expertise in acute care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing settings. Through working in healthcare environments with diverse populations, she has gained valuable skills in inpatient and outpatient evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for patients and residents with a myriad of health issues and impairments. She has developed more specialized experience in expressive/receptive language disorders and in cognition therapy.
Lyla Rose earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Duquesne University, achieving highest honors throughout her academic career. She realized her passion for her field early on, and as a student she volunteered in the speech therapy and research departments at prestigious institutions including UPMC Mercy Hospital Voice Center, The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh and Vincentian Homes Marion Manor Care facilities.
With an unwavering commitment to care, she approaches each patient experience with compassion, understanding and creativity, developing individualized treatment plans designed to encourage realistic and successful outcomes for patients and their families.
An avid reader, Lyla Rose also has a love of learning that fuels her professional and personal development. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor sports including hiking, fishing and kayaking.
Our Mental Health Counseling Team
Sarah, MS, NCC
Mental Health Counselor
Hi there, I'm Sarah, a passionate and dedicated clinical mental health therapist with a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Pennsylvania Western University. In therapy, I am committed to providing compassionate and effective therapy to individuals seeking support and healing.
I create a warm and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Using an integrative approach tailored to each individual's needs, I draw from modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and other therapy models to help clients achieve their therapeutic goals. Through collaborative goal-setting and personalized treatment plans, I empower clients to develop coping skills, increase self-awareness, and navigate challenges with resilience and strength.
I believe deeply in the power of the therapeutic relationship to facilitate healing and growth. My goal is to build a strong rapport with each client, fostering trust and mutual respect as we work together towards positive change.
Outside of my clinical work, I love spending time with my friends and family and enjoy taking my 2 miniature dachshunds for walks at the park. I'm excited work with you!
Our Administrative Team
Lorra, PT
Patient Success Liason
Hi, my name is Lorra. I am a Physical Therapist who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. I have worked in a wide variety of settings including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation and home health. I am NDT certified for Adult Hemiplegia and LSVT certified for management of Parkinson’s Disease. I also have over twenty years experience with wheelchair seating and evaluations.
I have lived in the Pittsburgh area my entire life and enjoy spending time with the family, my golden retrievers and cheering on the Steelers and Penguins!
Brittany, OTR/L, CSRS, CBIS
Patient and Family Advocate
Hello! My name is Brittany and I am an occupational therapist. I love occupational therapy because it is a holistic approach that focuses on helping people regain function and independence in the areas of their lives that are most important to them.
Most of my clinical background has been in neurological rehabilitation, particularly working with individuals recovering from stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury. I am also a certified stroke rehabilitation specialist and a certified brain injury specialist.
Miranda
Billing Specialist
Hi! My name is Miranda and I am the Billing Specialist with NeuroAxis Rehab. I have 10 years of medical billing experience and I am happy to assist you with all your insurance and billing needs, along with anything else I can help with, remotely from southern Ohio.
I am a full time mom to a very special boy, wife, and a small business owner. When not working you can find me enjoying Jeeping, spending time with family and friends, loving on my golden-doodles, shopping, spending time in my pool, and watching football, WHO DEY!
Interested in joining our team? Email you resume to info@neuroaxisrehab.com and we will be in touch!