Leadership

David Pipkins

CEO/Administrator

David Pipkins joined the team at Kate Dishman in August of 2016. Prior to joining Kate Dishman, he served as the Controller for HealthSouth, where he managed the operations of a 61 bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital. He is a retired veteran (E-8) of the US Armed Forces, ending his military career in 2010. He holds a BBA in finance and an MBA with a focus on Healthcare Administration, both from Lamar University.

David is a very dynamic leader with more than twenty years of leadership, mentoring and coaching excellence. His leadership skills are centered around building high trust relationships and making quick decisions. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), a board member for both the Texas Association of Healthcare Financial Administration (TAHFA). David has been married to his wife, Cindy, for more than 31 years, and together they have raised three children that graduated from Nederland High School, all Lamar University graduates. He has six grandchildren, all of whom live locally. David enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family and is an avid golfer.

Juan Elias Davila, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Davila is Board Certified in physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He specializes in musculoskeletal injuries and acute and chronic pain syndrome including the diagnosis and treatment of sports and work injuries, back and neck pain disorders and degenerative conditions such as arthritis.

EDUCATION

UNDERGRADUATE: Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

MEDICAL: Faculted de Medicina, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

MASTERS: Master of Public Health and Occupational Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Mexico

TRAINING

NEUROSURGERY RESIDENCY: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX

PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION RESIDENCY: Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Diplomat – American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

American Medical Association

Texas Medical Association

Jefferson County Medical Association

Kathyrn Simmons, BSN, RN, CRRN

Director of Clinical Services

Kathy Simmons has 33 years healthcare experience in Rehabilitation Nursing, Case Management, Clinical Utilization, Mental Health, Labor/Delivery, and Newborn Nursery. Her nursing career began as an LVN from Lamar Orange. Her academic achievements consist of an ADN from Lamar Port Arthur, a BSN from Lamar University Beaumont and she is currently enrolled for her MSN at Lamar University Beaumont. Kathy joined the Kate Dishman team in November 2018 and has been a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) since 1999. She is also a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. Kathy enjoys working with the nurses and therapists and states her calling is the rehabilitation of others. Her joy in life is her six sons, three daughter-in laws, eight grandchildren, and her dog Biggio, named after Houston Astros’ Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.

Tracy Klein

Director of Financials

Tracy Klein joined the Kate Dishman Rehab team in 2009 as the Director of Finance. Prior to joining the team at Kate Dishman, she was the Assistant Administrator for Village Choice Healthcare. In her current role, Tracy oversees all areas of finance and general accounting operations for the hospital including billing, collections, medical records, accounts payable and receivables, account reconciliation and cash management. She also prepares monthly financial reports and analysis, and contributes to the maintenance of an accurate, up-to-date general ledger. She provides process and operational leadership, and is a driving force in sustaining the mission and values of hospital. Tracy is very motivated and has a strong desire to see growth in herself, the organization and to help others to grow by learning new information and skills. In her free time, she values time with her husband, kids, grandbabies, & three dogs.

Carmel Duplant

Therapy Manager

Carmel Duplant is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist who received her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Woman’s University in 1989. She has worked with individuals of all ages from infants to geriatrics in various settings including outpatient, mental health facilities, and school districts. She has been at Kate Dishman Rehab Hospital since 2008. As a therapist at KDRH she enjoys working on a multidisciplinary team helping patients with orthopedic, cognitive, visual perceptual deficits, physical impairments and injuries to overcome physical and psychosocial barriers to return to their highest level of function and day-to-day activities. She values patient centered care and loves engaging patients by hearing their story, empowering and enabling them to set and achieve goals and overcome obstacles. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and five children.

Nikki Spencer

Director of Pharmacy

Nikki Spencer is a registered and licensed Pharmacist in the state of Texas. She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from Texas Southern University in 2008. She has practiced in various realms within the pharmacy industry including community pharmacy, long-term care, and hospital/clinical pharmacy. She is a certified immunizing pharmacist as well as a certified sterile compounding pharmacist in the state of Texas, and has been a part of Kate Dishman Rehab hospital as the Director of Pharmacy since 2011. As a pharmacist, her primary focus is patient care. She plays a very active role in drug therapy selection for all patients being cared for at Kate Dishman Rehab Hospital by working diligently with physicians to ensure treatment therapies are appropriate. Today, she is actively pursuing her Masters of Business Administration with a concentration of Healthcare Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Apart from her professional role she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children.

Tina Davis

Human Resources Manager

Tina Davis is the Human Resources Manager for Kate Dishman Rehabilitation Hospital. She has been a part of the organization since 2009. She plays a major role as the facilities employee human resources advocate. She has worked within the healthcare industry for over a decade in several capacities. She is well versed in payroll, employee relations, talent acquisition, materials management, project management, and medical staff services. Prior to joining the organization, Tina served as the Practice Manager for a cardiovascular practice. Her responsibilities included overseeing the day to day operations of multiple locations and managing a staff of over seventy employees. She gained extensive knowledge in budgeting, accounts payable and receivable, medical coding, human resource management, profit and loss reporting, recruitment and retention, as well as, contract negotiations, insurance industry standards and payroll functions. Tina is a member of several national human resource organization including; The Society for Human Resource Management and National Association of Medical Staff Services. Also, she’s held certifications in Practice Management and Medical Coding. She attended Lamar University where she worked towards a degree in Business and plans to continue her education in the near future. Apart from her professional background personally she enjoys spending time with her children and grand-daughter Emma.