Trauma Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants
Alexandra “Lexie” Leriger, PA-C
Lexie received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M and then her Physician Assistant degree from UTMB-Galveston in 2017. She joined the UT Houston Orthopaedic Trauma team in 2020. Prior to that she worked with the UT Houston Orthopaedic Spine Surgery team. Lexie is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of AAPA and TAPA. She enjoys visiting family in the Northeast and Canada, playing and watching sports, and having game nights with family and friends whenever possible.
Lee Bonner, PA-C
Lee grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of New Mexico. He went on to graduate with his Master of Physician Assistant degree from the University of Findlay in 2000. Lee came to Texas in 2003 where he began working with UTHealth in Neurosurgery. He went on to work with Houston Methodist from 2007-2013 in Neurosurgery until he joined the Trauma team at UT Health in 2013. Lee has been married to his wife Cathy for 26 years and together they breed, show
Amy Cockerham, MSN, FNP-BC
Amy earned her BSN from Clemson University in 1997 and her Master’s degree in Nursing from Duke University in 2003. She has been a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2003. Amy is originally from Durham, North Carolina and began working for the UT Houston Orthopaedic trauma team at Texas Medical Center in 2013. She has experience working in adult and pediatric Orthopaedic trauma since 2004. Amy is the Nurse Practitioner to Dr. Routt and is the lead coordinator for the APP Trauma Team. Other interests include photography, yoga, traveling and spending time with her husband, Brent, and their children Ryan, Andrew and Shaela.
Joannah Gonzales, PA-C
Joannah Gonzales, PA-C received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M and then her Physician Assistant degree from PCOM in Philadelphia in 2005. She joined the UT Houston Orthopaedic Trauma team in 2019. Prior to that she worked in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. Joannah is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She enjoys telling “mom jokes” to her patients, reading books, and hiking. If she could have a positive impact on the world, it would be to help eliminate poverty.
Denise Hansen, PA
Denise Hansen is physician assistant on the Orthopaedic Trauma Service. She attended the University of Houston where she earned a degree in biology. Denise later graduated from the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education Physician Assistant Program in New York City, which is part of the City College of New York system. While attending school in New York, Denise worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in the 911 system with the New York Fire Department Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
After graduation and prior to returning to Houston, Denise was introduced to the practice of orthopaedic medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. She joined the University of Texas Medical School at Houston’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in 2009. Denise’s responsibilities include managing the care patients who have undergone surgery to repair severe orthopaedic injuries. She says that patient education and safety are her main goals. In addition to her primary duties, Denise is a registered volunteer for the Harris County Medical Reserve Corps. She is also an active member in the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Jeana Kelly, PA-C
Jeana has been with UTHealth since 2005. She worked for 5 years with the Trauma Team of the Department of General Surgery, including working in the Shock Trauma ICU. She then moved to the Orthopaedic Trauma service in 2010. She has worked with Dr. John Munz for over 10 years, serving as his practice’s Physician Assistant since 2011. Prior to coming to UTHealth, she spent 5 years with the Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery services at MD Anderson.
Jeana has been instrumental in developing and running the Bone Health Clinic, in conjunction with Dr. James Kellam and Denise Hansen, PA-C. The Bone Health Clinic works to optimize bone health by identifying and treating osteoporosis and applying a multi-disciplinary approach to treating and preventing fragility fractures.
She has also attended advanced level training in orthopaedic trauma during the AO course, “Basic Principals of Fracture Management for Orthopaedic Surgeons” and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association’s “Resident Comprehensive Fracture Course”. Jeana is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of AAPA, PAOS.
Bryan Ruygrok, PA-C
Bryan Ruygrok, PA-C received his Physician Assistant degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 2019 before joining the UT Orthopedic Trauma team this year. He is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is currently working towards his specialty CAQ in Orthopedic Surgery. A Maryland native, Bryan enjoys time with family and friends, at the beach and being involved with sports. Prior to working as a Physician Assistant, Bryan was an active volunteer at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and EMT for his local community.
Heather Sandifer, PA-C
Heather Sandifer received her undergraduate degree from Abilene Christian University. In 2005 she went on to complete her master’s degree in Bioscience and Physician Assistant Studies from the Medical College of Ohio, which has since merged with the University of Toledo. She spent time working with the Pediatric Surgery and Trauma team at Toledo Children’s Hospital and Clear Lake Regional Hospital and has also worked in urgent care. Heather joined the UT Houston Orthopedic Trauma team early in 2020. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, licensed by the Texas Medical Board and is a member of AAPA and TAPA. She spends time serving the community with friends and also enjoys spending time with her family, music, good food and being outside.