Barkman & Smith - Our Team

     Ronald W. Barkman, PT, co-founder

Ronald W. Barkman, PT, co-founder

For Ronald Barkman, co-founder of Barkman and Smith Physical Therapy, his profession in physical therapy is a calling, not a job.

“I enjoy working with people who are in need of improving function, getting back to work or sports, reducing pain, or just learning how to walk again,” he says.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love coming to work. I can always find something to look forward to when working with patients.”

Ron says he loves the discovery process of figuring out what is causing a patient’s problem and then developing a plan to correct it.

“My main concern is teaching/educating people as to how to take care of their health.”

Ron has a Bachelor of Science in teaching and coaching from Cortland State College in Cortland, N.Y., and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas.

He gained experience as a high school coach and teacher, coaching football, basketball and baseball on Long Island, New York. He has worked as a staff physical therapist in several hospitals, ran a private practice physical therapy clinic in Dallas, worked in home health physical therapy for six years and worked in several nursing homes.

Ron enjoys working with a variety of patients ranging from orthopedics to neurology, work-related injuries, and sports injuries with clients ranging from five to 102 (current record!).

When he is not working, Ron enjoys spending time and working out with his wife of 33 years, Trisha. He also has two successful daughters, Briana and Alix. Briana lives in New York City and works as a fashion designer. Alix followed in her father’s footsteps and is also a Physical Therapist.

 

Vincent Smith, PT, co-founder

Vincent Smith, PT, co-founder

Vincent Smith co-founded Barkman and Smith Physical Therapy in 1993.  Vincent takes a holistic approach to treating patients and relates it is his pleasure to serve.  While he uses the latest evidence-based treatment to help patients restore movement and reduce pain, he understands the emotional and spiritual aspects of these challenges as well as the difficulty associated with physical loss.

Vincent graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, he gained experience in several hospital settings as a staff physical therapist; advancing to Assistant Manager and Coordinator of Clinical Education.  Vincent's general practice is in orthopedics and neurology.  His specialties include manual therapy with an emphasis on Spinal Mobilization & Myofascial Release techniques as well as the McKenzie Approach to spinal care. Vincent practices general neurology and is a certified Parkinson’s LSVT BIG clinician.  Mr. Smith has utilized his experience with neurological patients to develop BalanceTrak™; An evidence based movement and exercise approach utilizing specific movements and overhead suspension equipment to improve balance and prevent falls.

Vincent is a pancreatic cancer survivor and found his trial enabled him to serve his clients with an improved perspective on pain and perseverance.  When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Lidia and his daughters and grandson.  He enjoys surfing the web, playing guitar and celebrating his daily blessings.

 

Jonathan D. Stoddard, PT Partner

Jonathan D. Stoddard, PT Partner

Jonathan Stoddard was attracted to physical therapy as a career because he loves working with people and staying active, so it was a natural fit.

“I love that physical therapy is a mix between science and creativity; although the principles remain constant, the way they are applied to meet the needs of each person is different,” Jonathan explains.

Jonathan has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, graduating Magna Cum Laude while employed as a technician at Barkman and Smith for more than five years. He graduated from UT Southwestern with a Masters of Physical Therapy.

He is a certified LSVT Parkinson’s BIG clinician. He has a special interest in custom power and manual wheelchairs and seating. Jonathan established the Barkman and Smith Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic in 2016. Jonathan also stays up to day on current research and treatments through continuing education focusing on orthopedic rehabilitation and wheelchair seating and mobility.

His experience was gathered doing clinical rotations in acute care (cardiopulmonary, heart and lung transplant patients), outpatient neurological rehabilitation, outpatient and hospital based orthopedic rehabilitation.

When he is not working, Jonathan stays very active and enjoys participating in local cycling events, short and long course triathlons and spending time with his family. Jonathan and his wife, Milina, are the proud parents of boy/girl twins.

 

Paul Dewayne Murphy, PTA Paul Dewayne Murphy, PTA

Physical Therapy Assistant Paul Dewayne Murphy believes he had a calling to go into the field of studies that he selected. It just felt like a natural thing to pursue.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at the University of Texas, Arlington. He completed his Associates of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant at Tarrant County College.

He gained experience working in both private and hospital-affiliated clinics in the Fort Worth area working in the fields of acute care, sport therapy, long-term acute care, and outpatient rehabilitation.

Paul joined Barkman and Smith PT originally in 2007 as a Physical Therapy Technician and rejoined the team in 2013 after achieving his Physical Therapist Assistant license. He is interested in specializing in wound care in the future.

When he has spare time, Paul enjoys cleaning, tinkering and driving his 1965 Ford Mustang and 1954 Chevrolet Bel-Air, travelling to see family locally and internationally, doing yard work, and surfing the Internet for deals.

 

Kayli Nuckolls, PTA

Kayli Nuckolls, PTA

Kayli chose the field of physical therapy to “take care of people in such a way that they feel taken care of.” Physical therapy was the best way to achieve that goal.
She originally joined the team in 2013 as a technician then left to complete her Associate's of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant at Tarrant County College. She rejoined the team this year as a licensed PTA. Kayli enjoys getting to know her patients personally and seeing them improve with treatments.
In her spare time she enjoys drawing, playing volleyball or ultimate Frisbee and volunteering with the youth ministry at her church.

Serena Burrell, PTA

Serena Burrell, PTA

Serena moved from her hometown in northwest Oklahoma to Weatherford, OK where she obtained her Associates degree in Applied Science/PTA from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.  She began her career in the outpatient orthopedic setting upon graduation and obtaining licensure in 2009, spending the last 3 years in Oklahoma City before moving south of the river to her current residence here in Texas. Serena joined Barkman and Smith Physical Therapy in Dec 2015. She is a certified LSVT Parkinson’s BIG clinician.

"One of my favorite parts of working in the field of physical therapy is helping a person through the process of improving, and returning to activities they once couldn't do because of their injury or surgery.  It's a rewarding process."  

Some of her favorite things to do are spending time with family and friends, exploring new places through the DFW metro area, walking/jogging, and singing.  

Michael Murrell, PT, DPT

Michael Murrell, PT, DPT

Michael, a second-generation physical therapist following in his mother’s footsteps, chose this profession as a personal way to help people recover from difficult and painful dysfunction. Michael loves the challenge of finding the root cause of people’s movement problems then assisting them to full recovery, less pain, and functional independence.  Michael previously worked for Barkman & Smith PT as a technician while working on his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science at UTA in Arlington.  He then went on to attend Arcadia University near Philadelphia to attain his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. 

Michael has 10 years of outpatient orthopedic and occupational medicine experience and strives to provide a balance between the art and science of physical therapy treatment while serving every individual in a customized fashion.  He specializes in industrial rehabilitation and manual therapy as well as the McKenzie approach to spine care. Michael enjoys working with clients from children to centurion adults.  Michael believes that “Evidence alone does not help people, it’s the application of evidence and patient education that makes a difference.”

Dr. Murrell is a DFW native and an active servant within his church. Outside the clinic, he enjoys playing recreational sports, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Amy and two boys, Cole and Levi. 

 

Peter Lam, PT, DPT

Peter Lam, PT, DPT

Peter chose physical therapy as a career because he loved the concept of healing through exercise.  He knew he would love this profession as soon as he discovered it during his early years in college.  He enjoys the critical thinking needed to locate the source of a patient’s pain and creating treatment methods to address it. His favorite part is working together with his patients to help regain function and improve their quality of life.

Peter originally joined Barkman and Smith Physical Therapy in 2016 as a technician after receiving his Bachelor in Exercise Science at the University of Texas at Arlington.  He then obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at UT Southwestern in 2019 rejoining the Barkman and Smith Physical Therapy team as a physical therapist. 

Peter has had experience in a variety of physical therapy settings during his clinical rotations and enjoys working with patients of all kinds.

During his free time, Peter enjoys working out and spending time with his family and friends.

Chase Pemberton, PT, DPT

Chase Pemberton, PT, DPT

Chase Pemberton chose physical therapy because of the potential for versatility.  “In this field, I am privileged to play a number of roles.  I am not only a clinician, but a coach, investigator, and educator rolled into one. I enjoy the ability to facilitate healing as related to all aspects of health.  While this journey is certainly physical, it encompasses so much more.”

Chase has a bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Arlington and received his doctorate from UT Southwestern in 2018.  Previously a technician at Barkman and Smith, Chase has returned as a Physical Therapist and hopes to bring an attitude that encourages positivity while assisting patients with their journey to ultimately meet their goals.

Chase has experience with a variety of patient populations spending time in outpatient orthopedic clinics as well as time in both trauma and cardiovascular intensive care units during his clinical rotations.

In his spare time, Chase enjoys working out and spending time outdoors with his wife, Rachel.  He is also a new home owner and spends a good amount of free time renovating his home.

Lori Matthews, OT

Lori Matthews, OT

Lori Matthews grew up near Niagara Falls, NY.  Always knowing she had a caring heart and desire to help people, she took a job as a therapy aide while attending a local junior college.  There she met the Occupational Therapist who encouraged her to pursue a career as a therapist. 

Lori had the opportunity to move to Texas where she enrolled and graduated Cum Laude from Texas Woman's University.  Lori's professional passions are rehabilitating shoulders and working on functional balance.  As she says, 'How well can you perform your self care if you're falling in the bathroom?'  Lori is a self-professed continuing education junkie, holding specialty certifications in IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft tissue Mobilization), NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment), Kinesiotaping, and most recently learning Bloodflow-Restricted Therapy for Rehabilitation.  Lori's other professional passion is bringing nutrition to the table as part of her wholistic approach to patient care, taking the time to help patients make the best food choices to support their recovery and rehab efforts. 

Outside of work, Lori is happily married to her training partner, Kevin.  Together they have covered thousands of miles running and cycling, participating in many triathlons and marathons together.  When they're not training, Lori and Kevin love to travel, and spend time with their 5 kids and 9 grandkids. 

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