Harris County Department of Education Physical Therapist Leah Alba was recently honored with the Tom Waugh Fellowship pin on Oct. 27, 2017 at the Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) Annual Conference in Corpus Christi. Alba also recently received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

The Tom Waugh Leadership Development Program aims to help foster and develop professional leadership skills in members of the TPTA who show potential and desire to become more active in the organization. The program includes two phases and takes two years to complete.

“Through this program, I had an opportunity to receive personalized mentorship by leaders in the organization,” said Alba. “I hope to increase organizational involvement at both the local and state levels and become a better advocate for the profession of physical therapy.”

The Meyerland resident has been a therapist with HCDE for 17 years and is currently assigned to work in Houston Independent School District. Before joining HCDE, Alba completed her physical therapy degree in the Philippines and worked in several different clinical settings in the U.S. including a nursing facility, rehabilitation hospital and home health. In 2000, HCDE opened the door for Alba to work with children.

“In my role at HCDE, I get to spend time with children every day,” said Alba. “Hardly a day goes by that I don’t see the clear and lasting impact on the way my students are able to participate and function in their classroom and around the school.”

Working on school campuses throughout Harris County, HCDE’s physical therapists, occupational therapists and music therapists help meet the needs of more than 7,000 students each year who struggle with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and other challenges.

For more information about HCDE’s School-Based Therapy Services, visit www.hcde-texas.org/therapyservices. For information on the Tom Waugh Leadership Development Program, visit http://www.tpta.org/?page=TWLDP.