Leadership – Therapy Specialists

Susan J. Harris, OTR/L, Founder

Susan founded Therapy Specialists in 1976 (see our story). Her revolutionary approach to providing comprehensive therapy services helped turn the company into one of the largest independently owned and operated rehabilitation providers in California. She had an unrelenting passion towards helping others as well as towards the rehabilitation industry as a whole. Her commitment led her to become an active member of AOTA, OTAC, and NARA; she served on various industry boards and worked to further occupational therapy through her involvement with university OT programs. Her dedication and contributions to the occupational therapy profession were so significant, she received the 2018 OTAC Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2020 OTAC renamed the OTAC Entrepreneur Award to the OTAC Susan J. Harris Entrepreneur Award.

While our beloved founder passed away in 2020, she left an indelible mark on the many lives she touched. Her legacy continues through the many scholarships she provided and careers she influenced during her lifetime. She will be missed, but we can take comfort in knowing that her commitment to help people achieve their highest quality of life lives on in each of us at Therapy Specialists.

Lisa Rodriguez, OTR/L, RAC-CT, President

Lisa has extensive experience as an occupational therapist in senior services, providing all levels of care. Having begun her career as an OT student at University of New Hampshire, she rose through the ranks to become a leader respected by customers and colleagues. She holds an RAC-CT® certification, nationally recognized as the pinnacle in resident assessment in long-term care nursing. Lisa is active in OTAC, and is a regular presenter on emerging trends in occupational therapy, and she frequently speaks on innovative treatment methodologies and the changes in the delivery of therapy services.

Kelly M. Cooney, M.A. CCC-SLP, CHC

Kelly sees herself as a clinician first, and her management outcomes have always focused on a clinically rich environment where therapists are encouraged to treat every client, regardless of age, as part of the family. With management experience that includes single-site, multi-site, multi-state, and consulting roles, Kelly advocates for superior patient care, a supportive and positive work environment for staff, and cooperative partnerships with customers and associates. Kelly has recently been elected President of the National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies, and is a long-standing ASHA member.

Keith Carson, Director of Partnerships

As the point of contact for facilities seeking values-driven contract therapy options, Keith is often the first handshake for Therapy Specialists’ new business partners. His background and track record in medical and healthcare sales management—including tenures with both start-ups and multi-million dollar companies—have seen him working with physical therapists, neurosurgeons and long-term care facility managers to grow their therapy services, and strengthen their business.

Lynn Johnson, Vice President Human Resources

Since joining our team in 2007, Lynn has been at the helm of all marketing and recruitment efforts. Her leadership and 20-plus years of marketing experience are integral to Therapy Specialists’ positive brand recognition, ensuring the company’s respected reputation among key internal and external audiences. Under her skilled guidance, we continue to attract, recruit, and retain the strategic partners and quality associates that make our company a true standout in a competitive, burgeoning industry.

Joselyne Williams, Director of Finance and Accounting

Joselyne brings a wealth of experience and achievement to our collective table in her role as Director of Finance. She’s an innate problem solver, critical thinker, and collaborator who seeks to optimize and build efficiency within the many systems TS utilizes to better guide our business practices. Certified as a CPA, she is passionate about providing a great service for all internal and external customers in achieving their individual goals as well as the goals of the organization.

Peter Harris, Director of Outpatient Sales

Peter embodies the essence and culture of Therapy Specialists. He represents our outpatient clinics to physicians and payers who are interested in working with Therapy Specialists to provide multi-disciplinary therapy services to their patients. He has been working with healthcare personnel and providers in San Diego for the last few years and has made a significant contribution to enhancing our established reputation for quality care in the community. In addition to his responsibility as director of outpatient sales, you have probably seen Peter’s work on our social media sites where he is responsible for curating and posting valuable content for our patients, associates, and business partners. He is also a part-owner of Therapy Specialists and serves on our Board of Directors helping to lead and guide our organization into the future.

Meet our leadership team.