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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
Hilary Robinson, M.S. CCC-SLP
Assistant Director of Clinical Services
Email: hrobinson@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-661-5437
Anna Brinker
Clinic Office Manager
Email: abrinker@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-721-5575
Hilary Ehlers
Billing Manager
Email: hehlers@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1441
Alison Pinkston
Intake Specialist
Email: apinkston@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1451
Debbie Carpenter
Clinic Receptionist
Email: dcarpenter@highhopesforkids.org
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Physical Therapy Team
Shannon Adams, PT
Email: sadams@highhopesforkids.org
Shannon received her BSPT from the University of Tennessee, Memphis in 1994. She has worked at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Shannon has also worked in several community outpatient clinics and currently provides Early Intervention Physical Therapy home based services for High Hopes. Shannon has extensive experience with infants and children with prematurity, Cerebral Palsy, developmental delay and various other pediatric/developmental diagnoses. She particularly enjoys working with infants and toddlers.
Kelly Cox, MSPT
Email: kcox@highhopesforkids.org
Kelly received her MSPT from the University of Alabama, Birmingham in 1993. She has worked at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Alabama as well as private outpatient therapy clinics. Kelly has expertise in the areas of serial casting and therapy related to spasticity management, including Botox, Intrathecal Baclofen Pump, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, Cerebral Palsy, and equipment.
Leigha Cuellar, PT, DPT
Email: lcuellar@highhopesforkids.org
Leigha received her DPT from Belmont University in 2015. Previously, she received her BS at Purdue University in 2012. She has experience in many pediatric settings including outpatient, NICU/PICU, inpatient, and home health. Additionally, she has worked in skilled nursing rehabilitation.
Nancy Darr, PT, DSC, NCS
Email: ndarr@highhopesforkids.org
Nancy received her BA from Ohio Wesleyan University and a 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, adult neurological 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 received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Wingate University in 2021 and her BS in Exercise Science from Lasell University in 2018. During her time at Wingate, she gained experience working with children in a variety of different settings including outpatient, acute care care, NICU, and the school system. In her final clinical rotation, she spent time at High Hopes and Franklin Special School District. 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 received 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 worked at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Akron and has experience in acute care, NICU, PCCU, outpatient pediatric clinics, home health and school systems. She has advanced training in PT treatment for premature infants, Toticollis, and Cerebral Palsy. Kristin is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor for PT students.
Lauren Haley, PT, DPT
Email: lhaley@highhopesforkids.org
Lauren received her DPT from Tennessee State University in 2011 and her BS from the University of Tennessee in 2006. She has experience in a variety of pediatric settings including outpatient clinics, school system, 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.
Tessa Irwin, PT, DPT
Email: tirwin@highhopesforkids.org
Received DPT from Belmont University in 2014 and BS from Indiana University in 2011. Experience in outpatient clinic settings with a wide variety of diagnoses including CP, torticollis, developmental delay, and orthopedic injuries. Especially enjoys working with infants, but loves all age ranges and working towards improving independence.
Sharon Jay, PT
Email: sjay@highhopesforkids.org
Sharon received 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 rehab, outpatient rehab, and the school system. She has experience with adult and pediatric patients with an emphasis on neurological rehab. Sharon is trained in hippotherapy and works part time at Saddle Up Therapeutic Riding Center.
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 (under her mask) to all her sessions. Her clinical practice includes outpatient pediatric centers, NICU, and inpatient pediatric therapy. Outside of work Elizabeth teaches swim lessons, enjoys time with her dogs, and is an avid runner.
Occupational Therapy Team
MaryBeth Cloud, OTR/L
Email: mcloud@highhopesforkids.org
MaryBeth received 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 also certified in pediatric massage and has completed the STAR Level 1 Mentorship and ProCert 1.
Morgan Craig, OTD, OTR/L
Email: mcraig@highhopesforkids.org
Morgan received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in 2020. She has experience working in clinic, home, and school based settings serving children of all ages, including early intervention. She has completed additional trainings on the topics of sensory processing, self-regulation, executive functioning, sensory based feeding, and mealtime dynamics. She is an Interactive Metronome Certified Provider.
Amanda Cutting, OTD, OTR/L
Email: acutting@highhopesforkids.org
Leigha received her DPT from Belmont University in 2015. Previously, she received her BS at Purdue University in 2012. She has experience in many pediatric settings including outpatient, NICU/PICU, inpatient, and home health. Additionally, she has worked in skilled nursing rehabilitation.
Katy Dieckhaus, MS, OTR/L
Email: kdieckhaus@highhopesforkids.org
Katy received her MSOT from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 2006. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, outpatient clinics, home health care, and schools. Katy specializes in sensory integration treatment, handwriting, and sensory-based feeding difficulties.
Morgan Glaze, MHS, OTR/L
Email: mglaze@highhopesforkids.org
Morgan received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia and her MHS in Occupational Therapy from Augusta University. She completed her graduate fieldwork in outpatient pediatrics working with children of all ages and abilities including autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, and developmental delays.
Kate Malchow, OTR/L, M.Ed.
Email: kmalchow@highhopesforkids.org
Kate received her B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin and her Master of Education from Boston University. She has a background in adult and teen brain injury and spinal cord injury in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She has also been a pediatric OT for the Department of Defense Dependent schools with the Exceptional Family Member Program while stationed overseas. Kate has been a pediatric occupational therapist at High Hopes in the clinic and home health settings for the past 10 years. She has certifications in Interactive Metronome and the TheraSuit Method, has completed the STAR Level Mentorship, and is a certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. Kate has travelled to Haiti, Honduras, and Jamaica as an occupational therapist where she volunteered her services with several mission organizations.
Julia Pheifer, MS, OTR/L
Email: jpheifer@highhopesforkids.org
Julia received her MSOT from the University of New Hampshire in 2018. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, including early intervention and school system. She received a certification as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, SOS approach to feeding and specializes in sensory processing and handwriting.
Rachael Sollman, OTD, OTR/L
Email: rsollman@highhopesforkids.org
Rachael received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in 2020. She has experience working with children of all ages in the pediatric outpatient setting. Rachael has completed DIRFloortime Intro Course and completed the STAR Level 1 Mentorship in August 2022.
Jana Smith, MS, OTR/L
Email: jsmith@highhopesforkids.org
Jana received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI in 1999 and then her Master of Science in OT in 2003. She has over 22 years of experience working at a pediatric occupational therapist. She has experience working in hospitals and long term care facilities, but most of her experience has been in the school and pediatric outpatient settings. She specializes in sensory integration treatment, handwriting, and fine motor development.
Deborah Powers, OT
Email: dpowers@highhopesforkids.org
Deborah received her BSOT from the University of Tennessee, Memphis in 1993. She has worked in NICU, preschool, inpatient, and outpatient clinic settings at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and LeBonheur Early Intervention and Development Center. Deborah has advanced clinical practice in evaluation and treatment of babies, toddlers, and children with sensory processing challenges and motor delays. She is a certified neonatal therapist. Her past training includes courses on infant massage, sensory intervention, sensory based feeding, self-regulation, and handwriting.
Speech and Language Therapy Team
Ellen Ashley, MSP, CCC-SLP
Email: eashley@highhopesforkids.org
Ellen received her MSP from the University of South Carolina in 2016. She has worked with the pediatric population in a variety of settings including the public school system, outpatient pediatric hospital, and outpatient clinics. Her clinical experience includes evaluation and treatment of language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, and social/pragmatic delays. Ellen is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Emily Donoghue, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: edonoghue@highhopesforkids.org
Emily received her BS at the University of Central Florida and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Jacksonville University. she has experience working in pediatrics in the areas of language delays, Alternative and Augmentative Communication, feeding/swallowing disorders, and social/pragmatic difficulties. Emily has attended trainings for Language Acquisitions through Motor Planning (LAMP) and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). She also received specialized training in Food Chaining and SOS Steps to Eating. Additionally, Emily was a teacher in The Preschool at High Hopes before attending graduate school and joining the therapy team. She is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Bond Henderson, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: bhenderson@highhopesforkids.org
Bond received 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 PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Beth Horton, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: bhorton@highhopesforkids.org
Beth received her BA from the University of Washington and her MS from Tennessee State University. She clinical expertise in the outpatient treatment and evaluation of speech and language delays, language difficulties specific to Autism, social/pragmatic delays and the treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders, specifically in sensory/oral motor feeding difficulties. She has received specialized training in The SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, The Hanen-More Than Words program, Social Thinking Methodology, and Gestalt Language Processing. Beth is also trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Sarah Poligone, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC
Email: spoligone@highhopesforkids.org
Sarah received her BS at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and MS in Speech Language Pathology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a Certified Lactation Counselor and has previously worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in relation to infant feeding and development. Sarah has clinical expertise in the outpatient treatment and evaluation of feeding and swallowing disorders in medically fragile infant/children as well as generalized sensory/oral motor feeding difficulties. She additionally has experience as a speech language pathologist working with children with speech language delay and autism. Sarah is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Hilary Robinson, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: hrobinson@highhopesforkids.org
Hilary received 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 PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction and bridging level). She is certified in the SOS feeding approach, Beckman Oral Motor approach, and also has specialized training in Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP). Hilary is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Molly Ross, MS, CF-SLP
Email: mross@highhopesforkids.org
Molly received her BS and MS in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. She completed her graduate internship at Children's Therapy Center where she received training from licensed therapists in the areas of pediatric Speech and Language disorders. She has also completed graduate internships in the school systems and hospital setting. She has experience in the evaluation and treatment of articulation disorders, language delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Apraxia, AAC communication.
Marcela Soares Beals, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: mbeals@highhopesforkids.org
Marcela received her MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Tennessee State University in 2017. Her clinical expertise includes assessment and treatment of 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, SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, Beckman Oral Motor Approach, and is licensed to practice Lactation Counseling. Marcela is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Stacey Stewart, SLP
Email: sstewart@highhopesforkids.org
Stacey received her MS at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2005. She has worked with the pediatric population in outpatient clinical experiences, daycare settings, and in homes. She has experience evaluating and treating language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, social/pragmatic delays, and fluency disorders. She is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Alyssa Whitney, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: awhitney@highhopesforkids.org
Alyssa received her BS from Illinois State University and her MA in Speech-Language Pathology from Southeast Missouri State University. She completed her internship at High Hopes in the summer of 2019 before going on to work in the public-school setting. Alyssa has experience evaluating and treating language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, social/pragmatic delays as well as alternative and augmentative communication. She is trained in PROMPTS 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.
Feeding Therapy Team
Emily Donoghue, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: edonoghue@highhopesforkids.org
Emily received her BS at the University of Central Florida and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Jacksonville University. she has experience working in pediatrics in the areas of language delays, Alternative and Augmentative Communication, feeding/swallowing disorders, and social/pragmatic difficulties. Emily has attended trainings for Language Acquisitions through Motor Planning (LAMP) and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). She also received specialized training in Food Chaining and SOS Steps to Eating. Additionally, Emily was a teacher in The Preschool at High Hopes before attending graduate school and joining the therapy team. She is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Beth Horton, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: bhorton@highhopesforkids.org
Beth received her BA from the University of Washington and her MS from Tennessee State University. She has clinical expertise in the outpatient treatment and evaluation of speech and language delays, language difficulties specific to Autism, social/pragmatic delays, and the use of treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders, specifically in sensory/oral motor feeding difficulties. She has received specialized training in Food Chaining, The Hanen-More Than Words Program, social thinking, and Gestalt language learning.
Sarah Poligone, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: spoligone@highhopesforkids.org
Sarah received her BS at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and MS in Speech Language Pathology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a Certified Lactation Counselor and has previously worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in relation to infant feeding and development. Sarah has clinical expertise in the outpatient treatment and evaluation of feeding and swallowing disorders in medically fragile infant/children as well as generalized sensory/oral motor feeding difficulties. She additionally has experience as a speech language pathologist working with children with speech language delay and autism.
Marcela Soares Beals, MS, CCC-SLP
Email: mbeals@highhopesforkids.org
Marcela received her MS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Tennessee State University in 2017. Her clinical expertise includes assessment and treatment of 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, SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining, Beckman Oral Motor Approach, and is licensed to practice Lactation Counseling. Marcela is trained in PROMPTS for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (introduction level).
Lori Scott, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC
Email: lscott@highhopesforkids.org
Lori received her BS at the University of Georgia and her MS in Hearing/Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University. She is certified to practice Lacation Counseling. Lori previously worked at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center as a leader of the feeding team. She has expertise in the evaluation and treatment of feeding/swallowing disorders in medically fragile infants and children with enteral feeding tubes. Lori has received specialty training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Chaining and Baby Treatment via NDT. Lori has educated colleagues and graduate students on the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders.
Linda Tyson, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: ltyson@highhopesforkids.org
Linda received 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 and the TR-eat Model. She has educated colleagues and graduate students in the areas of pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders and cleft lip and palate and craniofacial anomalies.
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