Mary Kaye Hill, PT, DPT
Founder, Physical Therapist
Mary Kaye Hill has dedicated her career to helping individuals affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological conditions regain independence and improve their quality of life. She is passionate about empowering people to achieve meaningful goals—whether that means getting out of bed independently, walking safely through their home, climbing stairs, or returning to the activities they love.
With more than 25 years of clinical experience, Mary Kaye combines advanced neurological rehabilitation techniques with a patient-centered approach that focuses on each individual’s unique needs, goals, and potential. She believes that every person deserves the opportunity to maximize their recovery and live as independently as possible.
Mary Kaye earned her Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 1998 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2009. She is Neuro-IFRAH Certified, an advanced specialization in the treatment of individuals recovering from stroke and brain injury, and also has extensive expertise in custom wheelchair evaluations and mobility solutions.
Kari Richards, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Kari is passionate about helping individuals regain their independence and return to the activities that matter most to them. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of rehabilitation settings, with a special focus on treating individuals with neurological conditions such as stroke and brain injury.
She finds great fulfillment in guiding patients through meaningful milestones in their recovery—from taking their first steps after injury to achieving greater confidence and independence with each therapy session. Her compassionate approach, clinical expertise, and dedication to patient-centered care help empower individuals to reach their highest potential.
Kari earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas in 2005. She has continued to advance her skills through specialized training and became Neuro-IFRAH certified, further strengthening her expertise in neurological rehabilitation.
Amanda DePriest, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Amanda DePriest is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with over 16 years of experience helping individuals regain function, independence, and confidence following injury or illness. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2009 and has spent her career working in a variety of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings.
Amanda has a special passion for upper extremity rehabilitation and enjoys helping individuals return to the meaningful activities that bring purpose and joy to their lives. Whether recovering from a hand injury, neurological condition, or other physical challenge, she believes therapy should be individualized, goal-oriented, and centered around each person’s unique needs and priorities.
In 2012, Amanda earned her Neuro-IFRAH certification, expanding her expertise in neurological rehabilitation and evidence-based treatment techniques. She is committed to lifelong learning and staying current with the latest therapeutic approaches to provide the highest quality care for her patients.
Amanda’s favorite part of being an Occupational Therapist is building relationships with her patients and celebrating the milestones—big and small—that help them return to the activities they love. Her compassionate approach, clinical expertise, and genuine desire to help others make her a trusted partner in the rehabilitation journey.
Jessica O’Brien, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Jessica is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of her patients through compassionate, individualized care. She is especially passionate about helping individuals regain independence in their daily activities, with a particular focus on restoring upper extremity function following neurological injury or illness.
She finds great fulfillment in helping patients overcome challenges, achieve functional goals, and build confidence as they return to the activities that matter most to them. Her patient-centered approach emphasizes empowerment, encouragement, and maximizing each individual’s potential for recovery.
As a Neuro-IFRAH Certified Therapist, Jessica has advanced training in neurological rehabilitation and specializes in helping individuals improve upper extremity function after stroke, brain injury, and other neurological conditions. Her expertise, combined with her dedication to patient-centered care, allows her to help patients achieve greater independence and a higher quality of life.
Yolanda Madar, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Yolanda R. Madar, MS, CCC-SLP, CDP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 20 years of experience in adult neurorehabilitation. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of cognitive-communication disorders, neurogenic speech and language disorders, dysphagia, and dementia-related conditions.
Yolanda has pursued extensive advanced training to provide the highest level of care, including certifications and specialized education in LSVT LOUD, VitalStim, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), and the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP). Her clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and focuses on helping individuals maximize their communication, swallowing function, independence, and overall quality of life.
Passionate about supporting both patients and their families, Yolanda believes that education is a key component of successful rehabilitation. She is committed to empowering caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need to support meaningful progress and long-term success.
Megan Vaughn, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathology
Helping individuals and families during challenging times, when their everyday life is suddenly not as it has been, is a passion for Megan. She understands firsthand how neurological traumas can impact the family’s and the person’s overall quality of life, as stroke and traumatic brain injury have personally affected members of her own family. She is dedicated to developing a treatment plan with the patient’s and their family’s input to help them achieve functional and appropriate goals to improve the way they interact with the world around them, whether it’s swallowing issues, cognitive decline, language deficits from a stroke, or anything in between. Megan also places emphasis on patient and family education within the course of treatments so that those involved can be an advocate for their loved one’s needs.
Her educational background includes a B.A. in Communication Disorders from Biola University in La Mirada, California (‘09) and an M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas (‘16). Megan is a well-rounded clinician with several years of experience serving both children and adults in the rehab, hospital, and outpatient clinical settings. She has experience working with Lingraphica AAC devices for those individuals with severe aphasia. She is also Synchrony for Dysphagia trained.
Krystal Carolina
Office Administrator
Krystal is the go-to person who keeps our day-to-day operations running smoothly and ensures everyone who walks through our doors feels welcome. As our Office Assistant, she brings a brilliant mix of sharp organization, genuine warmth, and calm under pressure to the team.
You might not expect an office assistant to have a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, but Krystal uses her scientific background every day. That training gave her an incredible eye for detail, top-notch problem-solving skills, and a love for organizing complex systems (even if it’s office workflows instead of lab data!).
Krystal’s superpower is her deep empathy and resilience, traits deeply rooted in her personal life. Outside of work, she dedicates her time to caring for her mother, a stroke survivor. This role has taught her the true meaning of patience, adaptability, and proactive care—skills that translate beautifully into managing a bustling office environment with grace and a smile.
When she isn’t keeping the team organized and on track, Krystal brings that same balance of focus and heart to everything she does.
Max
Chief Morale Officer
Max joined the CARE team in 2022 and quickly became everyone’s favorite coworker. As CARE’s resident support dog, he provides comfort, companionship, and plenty of smiles to patients, families, and staff alike.
Max takes his job seriously—whether he’s greeting visitors, offering encouragement during therapy sessions, or making the rounds in search of treats. He has a special talent for brightening difficult days, easing anxieties, and reminding everyone that every milestone, big or small, is worth celebrating.
When he’s not hard at work supporting the CARE team, Max can usually be found soaking up attention, enjoying a good ear scratch, and accepting treats from his many admirers. His gentle nature, unwavering enthusiasm, and ability to bring joy to those around him make him an invaluable member of the CARE family and a beloved friend to all who meet him.
Take the Next Step Toward Greater Independence
At Central Arkansas Rehabilitation Experts, our team is here to support you with compassionate, personalized care focused on your goals. Whether you or a loved one needs physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or neurological rehabilitation, we are ready to help you move forward with confidence.
Contact our team in Sherwood, AR, today at 501-392-9180 to learn more or request an appointment.
