Our Team
Heidi is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). She received her Masters in Occupational Therapy at Saint Ambrose University and has extensive experience in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care for children. She has developed social skills groups, summer camps for children, and has organized Family Fun Nights including themed respite nights for clients and siblings. Heidi is an active member of Savannah AMBUCS with a passion for helping children to be active with their families in the community. Heidi is certified in Interactive Metronome, Astronaut Training Program. Handwriting without Tears (Level 1), and has completed advanced training in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Self-Feeding.
Kimberly earned her Master of Public Health Degree (MPH) from the University of Nevada, Reno which is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. She has multiple years of experience with child development, early intervention including assessments and evaluations, program management, training development, case management, and public heath leadership. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Thea received her Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Hunter College in New York. She is a certified pediatric clinical specialist (PCS) and clinical instructor by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She is a member of AMBUCS and has experience working with medically fragile children and adults in hospitals, clinics, and homes.
Kristen earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences and her Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences from Armstrong Atlantic State University. She has a variety of experience in outpatient, early intervention within the natural environments, schools systems as well as within the community via educational presentations. Kristen enjoys working with siblings and families of her clients, providing them with important strategies/adaptations for family engagement and enjoyment, across all environments. She is certified in Interactive Metronome, The Alert Program, Handwriting Without Tears, and Talk Tools: Oral Motor Feeding Therapy. Kristen is also certified in physical agent modalities.
Lisa Owens
Office manager
Lisa earned her bachelors degree in Economics from Armstrong Atlantic State University. She has years of experience in medical office administration at a major hospital system in Savannah and a private clinic in South Carolina.
Kelsey Davenport
CCC-SLP
Speech therapist
Kelsey received her Bachelors of Science in Speech, Language , and Hearing Sciences from Rhode Island College and her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Harding University She is board certified by the American Speech Hearing Association and licensed to practice in Georgia. She has experience with culturally and ethnically diverse populations and families and severe behavioral populations . She has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in New Zealand.
Elana Portman
MOT, OTR/L
Occupational therapist
Elana received her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Touro College of Health Sciences in New York. She has experience in pediatric neurological and developmental conditions in outpatient and natural environment settings.
Jeanette Ortiz-Andreou
administrative assistant
Jeanette Ortiz-Andreou received her Bachelors of Arts in Social Work and Spanish from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Jeanette has a passion for working with diverse populations and is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Jacqueline Diaz
administrative assistant
Jacqueline is a Georgia Southern University attendee pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a emphasis in Health Education and Promotion and a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish. Jacqueline plans to obtain a Masters degree in Health Administration. She volunteers at food banks, campus clean up, and rehabilitation centers.
Debbie Campolo
PT
Physical therapist
Debbie received her Bachelor of Science and Physical Therapy Degree from New York University. She has experience in all populations and ages in a variety of settings including hospital, outpatient, private practice, early intervention, and schools. Her experience includes pediatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, acute care, and geriatrics.
Nicole Hewitt
CCC-SLP
Speech Therapist
Nicole received her Bachelor of Science in Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia and her Masters in Speech Language Pathology from Armstrong State University. She is board certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and is licensed to practice in Georgia and South Carolina. She has been a community-based therapist, working closely with families, daycares, facilities, and preschools. She has experience working with a wide range of populations and she is especially interested in feeding and swallowing in pediatrics.
Dr. Toporek is board certified in pediatrics by the American Occupational Therapy Association. She received her degrees in Occupational Therapy from Medical College of Georgia and Rocky Mountain University. She has experience in early intervention, school based practice, clinic based services, and residential setting for medically fragile children. Additionally, she has worked in a variety of international settings including Israel, Ethiopia, and Zambia serving children and families in community and education based settings through direct care, program development, and staff training. She is a certified DIR/Floortime practitioner and lectures on culture and occupational therapy. She was an adjunct professor at Stanbridge College in California. She has served as a reviewer for conferences including WFOT, AOTA, and AOTA pediatric specialty certifications and is a peer reviewer for AJOT.
Heather Lorden
DPT, PCS
Physical therapist
Dr. Lorden is a pediatric clinical specialist (PCS) and credentialed clinical instructor with the American Physical Therapy Association. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Science in Physical Therapy Degrees from Armstrong Atlantic State University. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Medical College of Georgia. She has experience with both the geriatric and pediatric populations and is on faculty at Armstrong Atlantic State University.
Brandi Sauers
DPT
Physical therapist
Dr. Sauers received her bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Georgia in and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. She has experience working with pediatrics in varied settings including outpatient, community-based and inpatient. She also has experience in orthopedics and sports medicine. Brandi is an APTA Credentialed Instructor.
Bethany Manning
CCC-SLP
Speech therapist
Bethany received her bachelors degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Speech Language/Pathology and her masters degree from University of South Carolina in Communication Disorders. Bethany has experience working with infants and children in clinical, school system, early intervention, and medical daycare settings.
Elise White
PT, DPT
Physical therapist
Dr. White received her Bachelors Degree in Health Science and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Springfield College in Massachusetts. Elise has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings with various orthopedic and neurological conditions for both pediatric and geriatric populations.
Julie Joyner
PT, DPT
Physical therapist
Julie received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Brenau University. She has experience providing services in a variety of settings including acute care, inpatient, outpatient, and skilled nursing settings and with a variety of conditions including spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, torticollis, stroke, and genetic conditions.
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