Education: KathleenStross (formerly Kathleen Deyo) earned her bachelor's of science in physical therapy from the University of Texas Southwestern in 1989. While working as a senior physical therapist at Del Oro Institute for Rehabilitation's Brain Injury Program, she formed the first Vestibular Rehabilitation Program in the southwest. While treating patients, conducting research, teaching PT students and developing new therapy techniques, Kathleen completed her post-professional master of science degree at Texas Woman’s University in 1995. As the expert  in vertigo and balance disorders in the region, Kathleen remains committed to educating and mentoring physicians and therapists while providing compassionate, creative care to patients.

 Who is Kathleen Stross?
I have always been an analyst. As far back as I can remember, I was trying to figure out how everything worked; taking apart the telephone, fixing bicycles and building things in the garage. My aptitude toward math and science led me to study petroleum engineering at the University of Texas, Austin. The mid-80’s was a very dismal time for the oil/gas industry and the job market was dry. I decided to apply to Physical Therapy school where I immediately excelled. The human body and the nervous system, especially the brain, excited me like no other engineering marvel. The mechanical model applied to the human balance system and biomechanics was the area which interested me the most at a time when we did not know what to do for dizzy patients. Brain injury survivors would awake from coma and begin walking again, only to experience vertigo each time they would turn their head. Our only response at that time was “well, then….don’t do that”. My independent study and observations sparked my interest in offering a better answer to these dizzy patients. At that time a comprehensive textbook or even a review article was not available. My diligent search for information and absolute hunger for knowledge nourished my desire to create, understand, and apply new therapy techniques. Techniques I developed by trial and error are now standard practice in the field. The best classroom for me was in the clinic with my patients. Through the years I have treated patients from five continents in the world-renowned Texas Medical Center.

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Kathleen fishing with her son Spencer. "With the right attitude anyone can be taught to do anything! You should have seen Spencer's face when he caught his first fish. That is why I have studied these many years, to see your face when you get better!"  Kathleen Stross