THERAPISTS
Lisa – Occupational Therapist, Department Lead
Basic info: Graduated from AZ School of Health Sciences and has been practicing as a pediatric therapist for 15 years.
Interests and hobbies outside of work: Spending time with family, traveling, and scrap-booking.
Favorite quote: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Favorite place to travel: The mountains.
What you love about working with children: Working with children is very rewarding. I love that I am helping them build a foundation by learning valuable life skills so that they can be as independent as possible. I learn from children as well because they are always thinking outside of the box and are so creative with materials presented to them.
Jennifer – Speech Language Pathologist/ Feeding Therapist, Department Lead
Basic info: Mother of three.
Interests and hobbies outside of work: Cooking and running.
Favorite quote: “Not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say.” – Rosemary Crossley
Favorite place to travel: The beaches or the mountains.
What you love about working with children: I love working with children because their smiles and laughter are the best reward.
I chose to become a Speech Pathologist because I enjoy talking and working with children. This job is the perfect combination of the things I enjoy, and is so rewarding on a daily basis.
Basic Info: Graduated with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy in 2005 from Youngstown State University, Youngstown OH. Been working in Pediatrics 
ever since.
Interests and Hobbies outside of work: Love traveling, spending time with my family and watching my son learn new things every day.
Favorite Quote: “God’s delay is not God’s denial.”
Favorite Place to Travel: Anywhere with a beach. Sarasota Florida and Disney World are 2 of my favorite places!
What you love about working with children: Being a pediatric therapist is a very rewarding job. I get to play a key role in helping children with special needs learn, grow and develop! The relationships created are memories that last forever. What more could I ask for?
Haley – Occupational Therapist
Basic Info: I was born and raised in Phoenix. I graduated from Arizona State University with my bachelor’s degree in English Literature and received my master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from A.T. Still University. I was introduced to the field of occupational therapy through my job as a respite and habilitation provider in college.
Interest and Hobbies: When the weather is nice, I enjoy hiking! I also like to read and watch movies. I love spending time with my dog, who is like sunshine and always so excited to see me whether we’ve spent 12 hours or 12 minutes apart.
Favorite Quote: “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” –Winston Churchill
Favorite place to travel: So far, I’ve enjoyed visiting Granada, Cambridge, and Luxembourg the most!
Why do you love working with kids: Kids have such a unique way of looking at the world! I love their joy for play and how creative they can be. It’s so motivating to see them progress and grow as they learn new things.
Kate – Occupational Therapist
Basic Info: I completed my bachelor degree Allied Health Science at Spalding University where I also received my masters in Occupational Therapy in 2015. I lived in Louisville, KY for a majority of my life and moved out to AZ with my fiance when he was stationed at Luke Air Force base. We have loved it out west and plan on staying as long as we can!
Interests and hobbies outside of work: I love anything outdoors, my family, my pup, exploring new places and being creative.
Favorite Quote: “Life is more meaningful when you realize the simple fact that you’ll never get the same moment twice.”
Favorite place to travel: Almafi, Italy is the most beautiful place I’ve seen. I also loved Caye Caulker, Belize!
What do you like most about working with children: I love how honest and genuine kids are. It’s an awesome feeling to watch kiddos become so proud of themselves when they learn something new and to know you made a positive impact on their life.
Basic Info: I completed my undergraduate degree at ASU and my SLPA certification at NAU. I have lived in Arizona most of my life and I love the heat. I am married to a great guy and we have 3 active boys! 
Interests and hobbies outside of work: I love spending time with my family, running, watching football and almost anything active!
Favorite quote: “The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goals. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”
Favorite place to travel: I love going to the beach even though I am terrified of the ocean!
What do you love about working with children: I love how genuine kids are. It is so rewarding to see them having fun and learning at the same time.
Katie E. – Speech Language Pathologist
Basic Info: I have lived in Arizona most of my life. My dad was in the Air Force so we had the chance to live in Virginia, Hawaii, and Michigan before finally moving to Arizona. I received my Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from Arizona State University in 2011. After working in a skilled nursing facility, I decided to continue my education and I received my Master of Science in Clinical Speech Language Pathology from Northern Arizona University in 2015.
Interests and hobbies outside of work: I love spending time with my family, taking my dog on walks, and trying out new restaurants!
Favorite quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney
Favorite place to travel: I love traveling to anywhere with an ocean, especially to Hawaii!
What you love about working with children: I love how excited they are about learning and seeing how much joy they get when they master a new skill!
Dana – Speech Language Pathologist
Basic Info: My name is Dana Messer. I was born in Wenatchee, Washington (which is the center of the state) but have lived all over Washington state. I graduated from Eastern Washington University with my BA in Communication Disorders in 2011. I completed my master’s degree at Idaho State University. I just moved from Washington to Arizona to start working here at TEAM4Kids during my CF-year and am loving it!!
Interests and hobbies outside of work: I LOVE to play soccer and go snowboarding in my free time. I also enjoy running (although it has been a little too hot for me here so far!), attending concerts, and any type of sporting event.
Favorite quote: Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but what we give. -Unknown
Favorite place to travel: My most favorite place to travel thus far in my life is Copenhagen, Denmark. I did not get to spend enough time there as I only passed through on my way home from Sweden. Switzerland is high up on my wish list too!
What you love about working with children: I love to work with children because of their pure joy in life, imagination, and excitement of learning new things.
Karen – Speech Language Pathologist
Basic Info: I received my Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington, and graduated from the University of the Pacific with my Masters in 2015. I grew up in Southern Ca, but have enjoyed lving in Northern CA, Oregon, Washington, and now Arizona!
Interest and Hobbies: I love the outdoors and all of the activities and adventures that come with it. I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, reading, and playing music.
Favorite Quote: “Happiness is anyone and anything at all that’s loved by you.” – Charlie Brown
Favorite Place to Travel: Any national park! My goal is to visit them all!
What do you like most about working with children: My favorite part about working with children is the pure joy they have in discovery. It is truly amazing to watch them learn and grow as we play and work together.
Megan M. – Speech Language Pathologist
Basic Info: have also provided feeding therapy to pediatrics from 6 months old and older, in individual and group settings. The majority of my training was received at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, however I am constantly learning and researching new therapy methods. I enjoy helping families and children with feeding difficulties because of the large impact it makes in their life. I am now completing my clinical fellowship year as a new speech language pathologist and am very excited to be working with your children on both their speech and feeding therapy needs!
Interests/hobbies outside of work: I have two Labradoodles that I like to spend time with and take to the dog park. I hope to train them to be therapy dogs one day. I also enjoy snowboarding and riding horses.
Favorite quote: Only through communication can human life hold meaning.
Favorite place to travel: I enjoy traveling to the snow to snowboard with my husband. I also enjoy traveling and exploring new places with my family.
What do you like most about working with children: I love working with children because of their imagination and uniquely positive and tender personalities. I enjoy knowing that I can help create a great foundation for the rest of their lives.
Josh – Physical Therapy Assistant
Basic Info: I graduated from Pima Medical Institute in 2014 as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Before going back to school, I was in the Marine Corps for 13 years. 
Interests and hobbies outside of work: I love doing activities outside like hiking, camping, sports…you name it!
Favorite Quote: “What is done in love, is done well.” – Vincent Van Gogh
Favorite Place to Travel: I love to travel so it’s hard to just pick one place. One place that is special to me and my wife is Paris.
What you love about working with children: I love how children see the world around them. Working with children is never dull and no two sessions are ever the same. The idea that we can effect positive change early on in their life is exciting and worth the hard work.
Steve – Physical Therapist
Basic Info: I was born and raised in Michigan, graduated from the University of Michigan in 2006 and moved to the southwest to get away from winter. I lived in Las Vegas for 8 years where I worked as a personal trainer and went back to school for my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. My wife and I moved to Phoenix in 2014 and are loving it here!
Interests and hobbies outside of work: I enjoy riding my motorcycle and going to motorcycle events when I can. I also love to play golf.
Favorite Quote: Milk is for babies. When you grow up you have to drink beer.” -Arnold Schwarzenegger
Favorite Place to Travel: There are so many great places to travel nearby. I love day trips to Prescott, Jerome, Cottonwood or Payson.
What you love about working with children: Kids tell it like it is, their filter hasn’t developed yet and I love that. I also love working in a play based environment where treatment is actually fun and not just sets and reps.
OFFICE ADMIN
Shasta – Billing & Authorization Specialist
Basic info: I’ve lived in Arizona most of my life, come from a very large family and adore animals. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science degree from Western International University. I am an avid volunteer, working with non-profit organizations that support children and families living with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. Volunteering is how my amazing husband and I met; we are the proud parents of our adorable son Jaxon, he is our world!
Interests and Hobbies outside of work: I cherish family time and giving back to the community! I also enjoy outdoor activities, traveling, dancing and reading.
Favorite Place to Travel: Although I’ve been to quite a few places, I don’t technically have a “favorite” place yet…I love the journey and experiencing something new. My bucket list still includes: Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and a few others in between. Bring on the travel!
Favorite Quote: “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” – A.A. Milne
What do you love about working with children: It is my personal and professional goal to make a difference in the lives of others. Working with families and children is by far the most rewarding opportunity; it is pure, genuine and just when the kiddos think you have done so much for them, its amazing how much you realize they have done far more for you.
Interest and Hobbies: Music is my whole life, I love to write songs, sing and dance to any beat. I love to spend time with my awesome family and friends and watch countless documentaries.
Favorite Quote: “There are no stars without darkness.”
Favorite place to travel: I haven’t been to too many exciting places YET, but I fell in love with Cancun, Mexico when I took a vacation there. For years I’ve been obsessing and following New Zealand Instagram pages, and I intend on traveling there once I finish college.
Why do you love working with kids: I love working with kids because they remind me how important it is to embrace our playful, imaginative and overly-confident sides. I want to help children grow and make positive changes as much as I can because the things children are taught and enforced at a young age really does mold them into the person they will be in the future.
Robin – Patient Care Coordinator
Basic Info: I moved to Arizona in 2008. In the time since, I have been a stay at home Mom to my 2 boys, Dominick and Eddie, up until this past year. Both my boys have special needs, my youngest has Down syndrome. We have been clients of TEAM4Kids since 2014!
Interests and hobbies outside of work: I enjoy spending time with my family backpacking and camping, family story time with my boys, painting, and “girl time” with my sisters.
Favorite quote: “Start your day with love and encouragement and end the day the same way” – Zig Ziglar
Favorite place to travel: The ocean and the forest fill me with peace and joy. I grew up in the waves of Southern California and experienced the most amazing backpacking trip in the Hoh River Rain Forest in the state of Washington.
What you love about working with children: Everyday is an adventure filled with joy, discovery, and opportunity. There is nothing more gratifying than working with children. Each child is a unique individual with special strengths and needs. I love incorporating the child’s strengths and interests into activities to make the learning experience fun, meaningful and encouraging. I am so lucky to have a career that allows me to help amazing children develop skills and self esteem.
Amanda L. – Patient Care Coordinator
Basic Info:
Kayla – Patient Care Coordinator
Basic Info: I was born in Nashville, T.N but have spent most of my life in Phoenix, which is where I met my wonderful husband. I am currently working on my Undergrad degree, with hopes of continuing on to become an Occupational Therapist.
Interest and Hobbies: I love being outdoors. Hiking, swimming, and fishing are my favorite things to do outside of work!
Favorite Quote: “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
Favorite place to travel: My favorite place to travel is to anywhere that has a beach! Huntington Beach, and Panama City Beach are on the top of my list. I also love going to Disneyland!
Why do you love working with kids: Working with children is so rewarding! Kids are so full of happiness and have the biggest hearts, and there is definitely never a dull moment with them!
Basic Info: I was born and raised in Arizona, I am a certified phlebotomist, and I am continuing my education to earn my degree in pediatric nursing. I have a true passion for children and spend a majority of my free time volunteering as a coach/mentor for kids. I believe the world is so much bigger than ourselves, and that we should always being looking outwardly to see how we can make the world a better place.
Interest/Hobbies outside of work: Outside of work I love to play sports, and spending time with my family and friends. I have a deep love for traveling. I get the amazing opportunity of traveling around the world by going on missions, ultimately to provide to love to those in need. I have been to Rocky Point Mexico to build a home for a beautiful family that was without one, I have been to Nairobi Kenya to bring hope to children with poor living conditions, and I plan to go to Colombia to meet the gorgeous little girl I sponsor in order to provide her with a successful future.
Favorite Quote: Change your mindset, and you can change the world. -Unknown
Favorite place to travel: My favorite place to travel is the beach! I love laying in the sand and watching a beautiful sunset!
What do you like most about working with children: What I love most about working with children is watching how much they grow! Especially here at Team4Kids, we get to watch wonderful children build up their confidence and reach their full potential. The most rewarding part is seeing their smiles after they reach their goals.