Physical Therapy Team
Shannon Adams, PT
sadams@highhopesforkids.org
Shannon received her BSPT from the University of Tennessee, Memphis in 1994. She has worked at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Shannon has also worked in several community outpatient clinics and currently provides Early Intervention Physical Therapy home based services for High Hopes. Shannon has extensive experience with infants and children with prematurity, Cerebral Palsy, developmental delay and various other pediatric/developmental diagnoses. She particularly enjoys working with infants and toddlers.
Kelly Cox, MSPT
kcox@highhopesforkids.org
Kelly received her MSPT from the University of Alabama, Birmingham in 1993. She has worked at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Alabama as well as private outpatient therapy clinics. Kelly has expertise in the areas of serial casting and therapy related to spasticity management, including Botox, Intrathecal Baclofen Pump, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, Cerebral Palsy, and equipment.
Leigha Cuellar, PT, DPT
lcuellar@highhopesforkids.org
Leigha received her DPT from Belmont University in 2015. Previously, she received her BS at Purdue University in 2012. She has experience in many pediatric settings including outpatient, NICU/PICU, inpatient, and home health. Additionally, she has worked in skilled nursing rehabilitation.
Nancy Darr, PT, DSc, NCS
nancy.darr@belmont.edu
Nancy received her BA from Ohio Wesleyan University and a MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California and a DSc from Loma Linda University. She has practiced in a wide variety of settings including adult and pediatric rehab, acute care, and public health. Nancy also holds a full time faculty appointment at Belmont University in the School of Physical Therapy where she teaches pediatric physical therapy, adult neurological physical therapy and lifespan development. Nancy's clinical and research interests are in the development of walking and balance in children.
Kelsey Driscoll, PT, DPT
kdriscoll@highhopesforkids.org
Kelsey received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Wingate University in 2021 and her BS in Exercise Science from Lasell University in 2018. During her time at Wingate, she gained experience working with children in a variety of different settings including outpatient, acute care care, NICU, and the school system. In her final clinical rotation, she spent time at High Hopes and Franklin Special School District. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is passionate about helping them reach their highest level of independence.
Kristin Garner, MPT
kgarner@highhopesforkids.org
Kristin received her BS and MPT from Ohio University in 1997 and 2000. She has been the Director of Clinical Services at High Hopes since 2006. She has worked at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Akron and has experience in acute care, NICU, PCCU, outpatient pediatric clinics, home health and school systems. She has advanced training in PT treatment for premature infants, Toticollis, and Cerebral Palsy. Kristin is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor for PT students.
Lauren Haley, PT, DPT
lhaley@highhopesforkids.org
Lauren received her DPT from Tennessee State University in 2011 and her BS from the University of Tennessee in 2006. She has experience in a variety of pediatric settings including outpatient clinics, school system, NICU, and home care. She has advanced training and expertise with diagnoses including Rett Syndrome and Spina Bifida, and is certified in pediatric kinesiology taping and as a clinical instructor for PT students.
Tessa Irwin, PT, DPT
tirwin@highhopesforkids.org
Received DPT from Belmont University in 2014 and BS from Indiana University in 2011. Experience in outpatient clinic settings with a wide variety of diagnoses including CP, torticollis, developmental delay, and orthopedic injuries. Especially enjoys working with infants, but loves all age ranges and working towards improving independence.
Sharon Jay, PT
sjay@highhopesforkids.org
Sharon received her BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Louisville in 1992 She has practiced in a variety of settings including inpatient rehab, skilled nursing rehab, outpatient rehab, and the school system. She has experience with adult and pediatric patients with an emphasis on neurological rehab. Sharon is trained in hippotherapy and works part time at Saddle Up Therapeutic Riding Center.
Elizabeth Watts, PT, DPT
ewebber@highhopesforkids.org
Elizabeth graduated from the University of Richmond in 2013 where she played volleyball and cheered for the Spiders. She double majored in International Studies and Spanish with a minor in History. She worked for various pediatric non-profits in Virginia before going back to PT school for her Doctorate and graduating from Western Carolina University in 2019. At WCU she served on the MAPPT board, the student run pro bono clinic, and was Fundraising Chair. In 2019 she moved to Nashville to pursue practice as a pediatric clinician. She enjoys working with kids of all ages, sizes, and capabilities and brings a smile (under her mask) to all her sessions. Her clinical practice includes outpatient pediatric centers, NICU, and inpatient pediatric therapy. Outside of work Elizabeth teaches swim lessons, enjoys time with her dogs, and is an avid runner.
Sandra Zaccari, PT
szaccari@highhopesforkids.org
Sandra received her BS in PT from the University of New England in 1988. She has worked in a variety of settings including the NICU, SCU, inpatient, outpatient pediatric clinics, home care, school systems, aquatic therapy and hippotherapy. Sandra has expertise in serial casting and home modifications for accessibility. Sandra is an adjunct faculty member at Belmont University in the PT program.