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Stefanie Willard, President & OTR/L |
| Stefanie is a certified Pediatric Occupational Therapist with more than 15 years of experience in early intervention and pediatric therapies. Stefanie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1992. She has taken several post graduate courses on Sensory Integration, Neuro-developmental Treatment, Vision Therapy, Oral-motor and Feeding Issues in Pediatrics, and is trained in the Handwriting Without Tears Program, Interactive Metronome, as well as Therapeutic Listening. Stefanie started Helping Hands Pediatric Therapy, Inc. in 2001 after moving to Georgia, and is the sole owner and director. Stefanie and her daughter live in Buford, GA. |
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Keri Converse, OTR/LHome-based & Clinic Occupational Therapist |
| Keri is originally from Buffalo, N.Y. where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2001. Keri has worked as an inpatient acute care therapist at Johns Hopkin Hospital in Baltimore MD. The population she served there ranged from cardiac, intensive care, orthopedic, surgical and oncology patients. Keri was then employed with the Prince George’s County Public School System where she served the infant and toddler population in a trans-disciplinary model. This provided her with the opportunity to work closely and consult with special educators, physical therapists, speech therapists and service coordinators. Keri and her family relocated to the Atlanta area in June 2005. |
Dinah Welch, OTR/LHome-based Therapist |
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| Dinah is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia in 1982. She worked for Dekalb Medical Center and West Paces Ferry Rehab prior to her position at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. There she received both SIPT and NDT certifications. She worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with emphasis on neuro, orthopedics, burns, NICU, and upper extremity limb deficiency. She resides in Alpharetta with her husband and son. |
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Lonnie Guinn, OTR/LClinic based therapist |
| Lonnie is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia in 1998. His previous work experience includes clinic based treatment at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and presently works within the Hall County school system. He is certified in the use of Interactive Metronome and Physical Agent modalities. He has received additional training in Aquatic therapy, Hippotherapy, Handwriting Without Tears, Sensory Integration, and athletic training. He has experience in the development of group programs for motor planning, adaptive sports, social skills, and handwriting. Lonnie demonstrates a true passion for working with children and enjoys using each child's individual interest to motivate them to achieve their treatment goals. |
Deinna Jones, M.Ed., CCC-SLPHome based & Clinic-based Speech Therapist |
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| Deinna was born and raised right here in Buford, Georgia. She and her husband, Randy, still reside here with their two boys, Harrison and Asa. Deinna graduated from The University of Georgia with her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1993. She is licensed in the state of Georgia and maintains her certificate of clinical competence with the American Speech and Hearing Association. She began her career 16 years ago in the Gwinnett School System and has also worked for Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, GA and for Buford City Schools. Her time spent in the public and private school sector provided much experience in evaluating students as well as in writing and implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) to assist them in their communication development and academic growth. She has served pre-school through high-school populations and has experience with a variety of communication deficits: articulation, phonological, language, fluency (stuttering), and voice. |
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Katie HoagOffice Administration |
| Katie graduated from Truett McConnell College with her Associates Degree in Art with a concentration in Education. She then went to the University of Georgia and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science with an emphasis in Child and Family Development in 2007. After gaining experience as a live in nanny, Katie decided she wanted to increase her experience and work in the office setting. She provides office administration for Helping Hands full time. Katie and her husband were both raised in Georgia and now live in Jefferson. |