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MEET OUR THERAPY TEAM
Clinic Administration
Kristin Garner, MPT
Director of Clinical Services
Email: kgarner@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1445
Kristin earned her BS and MPT from Ohio University in 1997 and 2000. She has been the Director of Clinical Services at High Hopes since 2006. She has clinical experience in pediatric acute care, NICU, PCCU, outpatient pediatric clinics, home health, and school systems. Kristin has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course. She works closely with the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) and is co-chair of the TEIS Vendor Advisory Council.
Hilary Robinson, MS, CCC-SLP
Assistant Director of Clinical Services
Email: hrobinson@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-661-5437
Hilary earned her MS from East Tennessee State University. She has extensive outpatient clinical experience in the areas of, but not limited to, evaluation and treatment of language delays, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, social/pragmatic delays, Autism, stuttering, and disorders of articulation. Hilary specializes in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction and bridging level). She is certified in the SOS feeding approach, Beckman Oral Motor approach, DTTC, and has specialized training in Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP).
Anna Brinker
Clinic Office Manager
Email: abrinker@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-721-5575
Anna received her BS in Health Science Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Tennessee Technological University in 2012. Prior to High Hopes, she managed a hearing center in Franklin. Anna has a daughter in the preschool that also receives therapies at High Hopes. She is excited to be working with an amazing team and is looking forward to helping families that need services for their children.
Hilary Ehlers
Billing Manager
Email: hehlers@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1441
Hilary received her BA in Environmental Studies and a minor in Geography from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 2007. Prior to High Hopes, she managed a radiology billing company in North Carolina. Her daughter attends the High Hopes preschool and receives therapy services at the clinic. Hilary is excited to be part of this wonderful organization and everything it offers for families and the community.
Alison Pinkston
Intake Specialist
Email: apinkston@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1451
Alison graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a BA in Literature and Sociology. Her background is in non-profit program services. Alison has a history with High Hopes as the parent of a child who received therapy services. She is thrilled to be working with parents seeking services for their children.
Erica Sherrill
Administrative Support
Email: esherrill@highhopesforkids.org
Callie graduated from Lipscomb University in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Family Studies. She is interested in pursuing either speech or behavior therapies and is eager to learn more about those fields in the clinic. Callie is excited to contribute at the clinic and be part of the great team at High Hopes!
Callie Berry
Therapy Technician
Email: cberry@highhopesforkids.org
Callie graduated from Lipscomb University in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Family Studies. She is interested in pursuing either speech or behavior therapies and is eager to learn more about those fields in the clinic. Callie is excited to contribute at the clinic and be part of the great team at High Hopes!
Debbie Carpenter
Clinic Receptionist
Email: dcarpenter@highhopesforkids.org
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Physical Therapy Team
Kelly Cox, MSPT
Email: kcox@highhopesforkids.org
Kelly earned her MSPT from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, in 1993. She has worked at children's hospitals and private outpatient therapy clinics. Kelly has advanced expertise in the treatment of children with Cerebral Palsy and has participated in advanced training in spasticity management, including Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. She collaborates with Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers to coordinate the High Hopes’ equipment clinic.
Leigha Cuellar, PT, DPT
Email: lcuellar@highhopesforkids.org
Leigha earned her BS at Purdue University in 2012 and her DPT from Belmont University in 2015. She has experience in a variety of pediatric settings, including outpatient clinics, NICU/PICU, acute care, home health, and skilled nursing rehabilitation. Leigha has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course.
Nancy Darr, PT, DSC, NCS
Email: ndarr@highhopesforkids.org
Nancy earned her BA from Ohio Wesleyan University, an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California, and a DSc from Loma Linda University. She has practiced in a wide variety of settings, including adult and pediatric rehab, acute care, and public health. Nancy also holds a full-time faculty appointment at Belmont University in the School of Physical Therapy, where she teaches pediatric physical therapy and lifespan development. Nancy's clinical and research interests are in the development of walking and balance in children.
Kelsey Driscoll, PT, DPT
Email: kdriscoll@highhopesforkids.org
Kelsey earned a BS in Exercise Science from Lasell University in 2018 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Wingate University in 2021. She has experience working with children in a variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, acute care, NICU, and the school system. Kelsey has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is passionate about helping them reach their highest level of independence.
Kristin Garner, MPT
Email: kgarner@highhopesforkids.org
Kristin earned her BS and MPT from Ohio University in 1997 and 2000. She has been the Director of Clinical Services at High Hopes since 2006. She has clinical experience in pediatric acute care, NICU, PCCU, outpatient pediatric clinics, home health, and school systems. Kristin has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course. She works closely with the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) and is co-chair of the TEIS Vendor Advisory Council.
Lauren Haley, PT, DPT
Email: lhaley@highhopesforkids.org
Lauren earned her BS from the University of Tennessee in 2006 and her DPT from Tennessee State University in 2011. She has experience in a variety of pediatric settings, including outpatient clinics, the school system, the NICU, and home care. She has advanced training and expertise with diagnoses including Rett Syndrome and Spina Bifida and is certified in pediatric kinesiology taping and as a clinical instructor for PT students. Lauren has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course.
Tessa Irwin, PT, DPT
Email: tirwin@highhopesforkids.org
Tessa earned her BS from Indiana University in 2011 and her DPT from Belmont University in 2014. She has pediatric experience in outpatient clinic settings with a variety of diagnoses, including Cerebral Palsy, Torticollis, developmental delay, and orthopedic injuries. Tessa has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course. Tessa especially enjoys working with infants but loves all age ranges and working towards improving independence.
Sharon Jay, PT
Email: sjay@highhopesforkids.org
Sharon earned her BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Louisville in 1992. She has practiced in a variety of settings, including inpatient rehab, skilled nursing rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, and the school system. She has experience with adult and pediatric patients, with an emphasis on neurological rehabilitation. Sharon has advanced training in hippotherapy and has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course.
Elizabeth Watts, PT, DPT
Email: ewebber@highhopesforkids.org
Elizabeth graduated from the University of Richmond in 2013, where she played volleyball and cheered for the Spiders. She double majored in International Studies and Spanish with a minor in History. She worked for various pediatric non-profits in Virginia before going back to PT school for her Doctorate and graduating from Western Carolina University in 2019. At WCU, she served on the MAPPT board, the student-run pro bono clinic, and was Fundraising Chair. In 2019, she moved to Nashville to pursue practice as a pediatric clinician. She enjoys working with kids of all ages, sizes, and capabilities and brings a smile to all her sessions. Her clinical practice includes outpatient pediatric centers, NICU, and inpatient pediatric therapy. She has also completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course. Outside of work, Elizabeth teaches swim lessons, loves to travel, and enjoys spending time exploring Franklin and Middle Tennessee spots with her family.
Occupational Therapy Team
Shelby Anderson, OTD, OTR/L
Email: sanderson@highhopesforkids.org
Shelby earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in 2020. She has experience working in outpatient clinic settings and hippotherapy, serving children of all ages and abilities. She has completed additional training in sensory processing, autism, and kinesiotaping and is certified in the SOS Approach to Feeding.
MaryBeth Cloud, OTR/L
Email: mcloud@highhopesforkids.org
MaryBeth earned her BSOT from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2002. She specializes in Myofascial release, sensory integration treatment, and handwriting, and has clinical experience in outpatient settings, school systems, and Early Intervention. MaryBeth is certified in pediatric massage and has completed the STAR Level 1 Mentorship and ProCert 1. She has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course.
Morgan Craig, OTD, OTR/L
Email: mcraig@highhopesforkids.org
Morgan earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in 2020. She has experience working in clinics, homes, and school-based settings, serving children of all ages, including early intervention. She has completed additional training on the topics of sensory processing, self-regulation, executive functioning, and mealtime dynamics. She is an Interactive Metronome Certified Provider and is trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding.
Amanda Cutting, OTD, OTR/L
Email: acutting@highhopesforkids.org
Amanda earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in 2018. Amanda specializes in sensory integration treatment, development of age-appropriate play skills, fine motor skill development, development of age-appropriate self-care skills, and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. Amanda has clinical experience working with children of all ages in an outpatient setting. Amanda completed the STAR Institute Level 1 Mentorship and has experience in incorporating AAC devices into play-based interventions to support functional communication. Amanda is a certified Interactive Metronome provider and a Safety-Care Specialist. She has also completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course.
Morgan Glaze, MHS, OTR/L
Email: mglaze@highhopesforkids.org
Morgan earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia and her MHS in Occupational Therapy from Augusta University. She has experience in outpatient, daycare, and school settings, working with children of all ages and abilities. Morgan also works part-time as an adaptive gymnastics coach.
Rachael Mejia, OTD, OTR/L
Email: rsollman@highhopesforkids.org
Rachael earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in 2020. She has experience working with children of all ages in pediatric outpatient and school settings. Rachael has completed the DIRFloortime Intro Course, STAR Level 1 Mentorship, and the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course. She is an Interactive Metronome Provider. Rachael has also completed additional training on sensory processing, self-regulation, executive functioning, and Mary Massery's Breathing and Postural Control class.
Jana Smith, MS, OTR/L
Email: jsmith@highhopesforkids.org
Jana earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI, in 1999 and her Master of Science in OT in 2003. She has experience working in hospitals and long-term care facilities, but most of her experience has been in school and pediatric outpatient settings. She specializes in sensory integration treatment, handwriting, and fine motor development and has completed the Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A course.
Speech and Language Therapy Team
Emily Butler, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: ebutler@highhopesforkids.org
Emily received her MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 2018. She has worked primarily with pediatrics within the clinic and public school settings. While Emily has experience evaluating and treating a variety of speech and language delays, her clinical passions include alternative and augmentative communication, social/pragmatic skills, and supralinguistic language features.
Marcela Soares Beals, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: mbeals@highhopesforkids.org
Marcela earned her MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Tennessee State University in 2017. Her clinical expertise includes assessing and treating language delays in early intervention, Autism, speech sound disorders, alternative and augmentative communication, and feeding/swallowing disorders. She has received specialty training in Natural Language Acquisition for Gestalt language learners, the SOS Approach to Feeding, and Food Chaining. Marcela is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Abby Cundiff, M.S. CCC-SLP
Email: acundiff@highhopesforkids.org
Abby earned her BS from Ohio State University and her MS from Miami University of Ohio in 2019. She has worked with the pediatric population in schools, daycares, and homes. Abby has experience evaluating and treating language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, social/pragmatic delays, and alternative and augmentative communication.
Helen B. Jahangir, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: hjahangir@highhopesforkids.org
Helen received her MA in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Memphis in 2003. She has clinical expertise in the outpatient treatment and evaluation of feeding and swallowing disorders in medically fragile children with enteral feeding tubes, as well as, generalized sensory/oral motor feeding difficulties. Helen has received specialty training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, and Beckman Oral Motor Approach. Helen has educated colleagues and graduate students on assessing and treating pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders. Additionally, she has clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of speech-language delays and disorders. She has experience in early intervention, Autism Speech Disorders, and articulation/phonological disorders. She has attended numerous trainings including Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)and Hanen It Takes Two to Talk.
Annie Murphy, M.S. CCC-SLP
Email: amurphy@highhopesforkids.org
Annie received her BS from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO and her MS in Speech Language Pathology from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO. She has worked with the pediatric population in the school and various clinic settings. Annie has experience in the evaluation and treatment of articulation/phonology disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, apraxia of speech, and social/pragmatic delays using child-centered, evidence-based practices.
Bond Newberry, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: bhenderson@highhopesforkids.org
Bond earned her MA at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 2001. She has extensive outpatient clinical experience, including treatment of Apraxia, Autism, language delays, fluency, and disorders of articulation. She has received training in the administration of the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers (STAT) and Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP). Bond is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Sarah Poligone, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC
Email: spoligone@highhopesforkids.org
Sarah earned her BS at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Sarah has clinical experience in the infant and pediatric acute care setting as well as the outpatient treatment and evaluation of feeding and swallowing disorders. She has clinical expertise in medically fragile infants/children with generalized sensory difficulties, oral motor delay, and enteral feeding tubes. She has received specialty training in Lactation, SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, and PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level). Sarah also has clinical experience in assessing and treating speech-language delays and disorders.
Hilary Robinson, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: hrobinson@highhopesforkids.org
Hilary earned her MS from East Tennessee State University. She has extensive outpatient clinical experience in the areas of, but not limited to, evaluation and treatment of language delays, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, social/pragmatic delays, Autism, stuttering, and disorders of articulation. Hilary specializes in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction and bridging level). She is certified in the SOS feeding approach, Beckman Oral Motor approach, DTTC, and has specialized training in Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP).
Molly Ross, MS, CF-SLP
Email: mross@highhopesforkids.org
Molly earned her MS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Missouri in 2023. She has clinical experience with the pediatric population in schools, clinics, hospitals, and daycare settings. Molly has experience evaluating articulation/phonological disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders, social/pragmatic delays, apraxia of speech, and alternative and augmentative communication.
Stacey Stewart, SLP
Email: sstewart@highhopesforkids.org
Stacey earned her MS at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2005. She has pediatric experience in outpatient clinics, daycares, and homes, evaluating and treating language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, social/pragmatic delays, and fluency disorders. She is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Ellen Stuart, MSP, CCC-SLP
Email: eashley@highhopesforkids.org
Ellen earned her MSP from the University of South Carolina in 2016. She has worked in a variety of settings, including the school system, pediatric hospitals, and outpatient clinics. Her clinical experience includes evaluating and treating language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, speech apraxia, and social/pragmatic delays. Ellen is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level) and has received specialty training in Natural Language Acquisition for Gestalt language learners.
Alyssa Whitney, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: awhitney@highhopesforkids.org
Alyssa earned her BS from Illinois State University and her MA in Speech-Language Pathology from Southeast Missouri State University. She has experience in clinical and school settings, evaluating and treating language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, and social/pragmatic delays. She has advanced training in alternative and augmentative communication and is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Feeding Therapy Team
Marcela Soares Beals, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: mbeals@highhopesforkids.org
Marcela earned her MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Tennessee State University in 2017. Her clinical expertise includes assessing and treating language delays in early intervention, Autism, speech sound disorders, alternative and augmentative communication, and feeding/swallowing disorders. She has received specialty training in Natural Language Acquisition for Gestalt language learners, the SOS Approach to Feeding, and Food Chaining. Marcela is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Helen B. Jahangir, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: hjahangir@highhopesforkids.org
Helen received her MA in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Memphis in 2003. She has clinical expertise in the outpatient treatment and evaluation of feeding and swallowing disorders in medically fragile children with enteral feeding tubes, as well as, generalized sensory/oral motor feeding difficulties. Helen has received specialty training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, and Beckman Oral Motor Approach. Helen has educated colleagues and graduate students on assessing and treating pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders. Additionally, she has clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of speech-language delays and disorders. She has experience in early intervention, Autism Speech Disorders, and articulation/phonological disorders. She has attended numerous trainings including Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)and Hanen It Takes Two to Talk.
Sarah Poligone, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: spoligone@highhopesforkids.org
Sarah earned her BS at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Sarah has clinical experience in the infant and pediatric acute care setting as well as the outpatient treatment and evaluation of feeding and swallowing disorders. She has clinical expertise in medically fragile infants/children with generalized sensory difficulties, oral motor delay, and enteral feeding tubes. She has received specialty training in Lactation, SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, and PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level). Sarah also has clinical experience in assessing and treating speech-language delays and disorders.
Lori Scott, M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC
Email: lscott@highhopesforkids.org
Lori earned her BS at the University of Georgia and her MS in Hearing/Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University. She is certified to practice Lactation Counseling. Lori has expertise in the evaluation and treatment of feeding/swallowing disorders in medically fragile infants and children with enteral feeding tubes and educates colleagues/graduate students on the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders. Lori has received specialty training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, Baby Treatment via NDT, and the Getting Permission Approach. She is also trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Linda Tyson, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: ltyson@highhopesforkids.org
Linda earned her MA in Communication Disorders at Saint Louis University. She is on the Advisory Board for the Down Syndrome Foundation’s primary program, the Learning Program, and has clinical expertise in the areas of feeding and swallowing disorders with medically fragile infants and children with enteral feeding tubes. Linda has received specialty training in NDT, Pediatric Massage, Myofascial Release, the Beckman Oral Motor Approach, the SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, the Getting Permission Approach, and the TR-eat Model. Additionally, she is trained in PROMPT for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level) and Hanen It Takes Two to Talk. She has educated colleagues and graduate students in the areas of pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders, cleft lip and palate, and craniofacial anomalies.
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