Center Valley Pediatrics

As a Speech Language Pathologist for 20 years, Amy has always enjoyed working with pediatric patients with communication and feeding needs. Amy holds a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree and a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University. She has advanced trainings and certifications with SOS Approach to feeding, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Dysphagia, PROMPT, and Myofascial Release Certified for Voice & Dysphagia. Her treatment philosophy surrounds helping each individual to communicate and eat as effectively as they can. She appreciates the multidisciplinary therapy team approach used at St. Luke’s to provide the most optimal care for each patient. Amy also enjoys providing opportunities for future Speech Language Pathologists by providing clinical placements for graduate and undergraduates students and also serving as an adjunct professor and advisory board member for the Speech Language Pathology Department at Moravian University.

Robyn graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with her Bachelors of Science in Rehabilitation Science.  She attended graduate school at Arcadia University and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.  Robyn uses a variety of methods to help her pediatric patients reach their full potential.

Gabriella has a passion for working with children and holds clinical interest in articulation, language, and feeding therapy. Gabriella holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree from Moravian University. In previous clinical experiences, she has worked with children who have various communication needs in outpatient clinics and school settings. Gabriella prioritizes evidenced-based practice and caregiver collaboration, while incorporating fun and functional activities into therapy. In her free time, Gabriella enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and pets and trying new restaurants in the Lehigh Valley.

Emily is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist with a specialty certification in working with individuals on the autism spectrum. She has advanced training in using neurodevelopment therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with patients with postural asymmetries, and musculoskeletal disorders to promote confident movement and play skills. Emily’s passion areas include treatment of visual disorders, toe-walking, and interventions to support social skill building. She looks to dive deeper to discover and treat the root cause of dysfunction to support her patients to grow to be the best they can be. Emily enjoys taking a holistic approach, collaborating closely with families to find what is meaningful and purposeful for each child and family. Emily earned her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Thomas Jefferson University where she gained experience in various pediatric settings, including the neonatal intensive care unit, early intervention, school-based therapy, and equine-assisted therapy. Emily’s number one goal is to ignite a flame of inspiration, optimism, and confidence in every child and their family.

Brandi is an ASHA certified and state licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She has been a resident of the Lehigh Valley since childhood and is excited to be able to give back to the community she has always called home.

Brandi attended Moravian College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education, going on to obtain a Master of Science in Education from Wilkes University in Scranton, PA. Prior to becoming an SLP, Brandi was an elementary school teacher at a variety of locations within the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas, with primary location being teaching kindergarten at Moore Township Elementary School for approximately 10 years. Following her teaching experience, Brandi moved out of PA and went back to school, graduating with a Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders degree from East Carolina University, NC. Brandi’s practicum experiences in graduate school included: acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, early intervention private practice and elementary schools.

During her professional career, Brandi has had the opportunity to work with a variety of populations and disorders. She has gained experience working as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of settings including schools, daycares, homes, outpatient rehabilitation and private practice. Brandi worked for 5 years in NC in EI and private practice before moving back to the Lehigh Valley and taking a job with Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s – Pediatric Therapy.

Brandi has had the opportunity to professionally work with children with Developmental Delays, Feeding/Oral Motor Disorders, Down Syndrome and other Genetic Disorders, Autism, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Language-Based Literacy Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Articulation/Phonological Disorders and Medically Fragile Children. She earned specialized training in feeding assessment and intervention – SOS: (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding and SOFFI: (Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants); Motor Speech Disorder and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (PROMPT training, Best Practices in Pediatric Feeding, Motor and Speech Disorders); and high-tech communication devices. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages and their families. Brandi is licensed by the board of Pennsylvania and has her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Language Hearing Associations.

Lindsey enjoys being able to incorporate and express her creativity through weekly themes to guide a fun, playful, and individualized therapy session for her patients. Lindsey received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology degree from Moravian University. She has experience working with the pediatric and adult populations in a variety of settings including outpatient rehabilitation, clinic, and the educational setting. She has experience providing both in-person and virtual therapeutic services. Lindsey has a passion for working with the pediatric population and utilizing an individualized, team-based approach while maintaining a safe, fun, and comfortable environment. Outside of the clinic, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and spending time in the kitchen trying out new recipes.

Deven is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with bilingual Spanish/English patients and patients with complex communication needs. She began learning Spanish through a Spanish Immersion program in elementary school and has continued learning the language throughout her life. Deven went on to study at Temple University, where she receives a Bachelor’s of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She received her Master’s of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from George Washington University. During her graduate studies she became passionate about the use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) for individuals with complex communication needs. Deven received a Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology from George Mason University to further her education in Assistive Technology and AAC. In her practice, she is passionate about providing holistic, team-based treatment that is individualized to her patient’s needs. During her free time, Deven enjoys spending time with her family and cats, traveling, and rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles!

As a kid at heart, Elysia enjoys getting to come to work and sneak therapy into play all day long. She is also a new mother, which has changed the way she looks at development and the concerns that parents face day to day. Elysia graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology in 2013 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2017. Since then, she has served the pediatric population in almost every setting including early intervention, school-based, inpatient, long-term care, private and hospital-based outpatient. She enjoys working collaboratively and believes in looking at the person as a whole and finding the cause, not just treating the symptoms. Elysia’s favorite part of working with the pediatric population is helping her patients gain the skills to access their environment and play like the kids they are!

Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy

Lisa has a passion for movement and play and enjoys working with children of all ages. She graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. She received a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Loyola University Chicago and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from A.T. Still University. Lisa is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist and serves as the physical therapy pediatric program director at Pediatric Therapy at St. Luke’s. In addition, she enjoys teaching and mentoring in the areas of development, gait, adapted equipment, splinting and orthotics. She has presented and published research on pediatric interprofessional learning in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.  Lisa’s strong interest in exercise and movement keep the children engaged while having fun during therapy.

Alexandra was born, raised and currently resides in Bethlehem PA. She attended Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, where she played soccer, conducted research in the field of speech language pathology, volunteered for service organizations and helped coach youth soccer camps. It was these volunteer, work and clinical experiences that helped Alexandra develop her love for the pediatric population. Alexandra obtained both her Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree from Misericordia University. She currently holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Language Hearing Association. Alexandra is trained in PROMPT for Motor Speech Disorders and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. She is trained in high-tech communication devices such as Tobii DynaVox, Smartbox and PRC-Saltillo products. Alexandra also has an interest in parent-child coaching and is licensed in It Takes Two to Talk and 4 I’s to Socialize from The Hanen Centre. She often uses these specific approaches to work collaboratively with parents in their child’s speech therapy sessions to ensure that the family knows how to help their child reach and exceed his or her speech and language goals through a coaching model. Alexandra has a special interest in helping to build Pediatric Therapy at St. Luke’s augmentative and alternative communication program and enjoys working with families to trial and obtain funding for high tech speech generating devices. In her free time, Alexandra loves playing soccer year-round in the Lehigh Valley Women’s Soccer League and spending time with her mini-Australian shepherd, Rusty.

Maggie saw first-hand the impact that therapy services had on her older sister and their family from a young age and always knew she wanted to help other children in a similar way.  Maggie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology degree from Misericordia University. She maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Maggie enjoys providing feeding therapy and is trained in the Sensory Oral Sequential Approach to Feeding Therapy (SOS Approach). She has experience working with the pediatric population in the school-based, clinic, and outpatient settings. Maggie is passionate about building positive relationships with her patients and their families by creating fun and engaging learning environments. She believes that a relationship and team-based approach to therapy is the foundation to speech and language progress. Outside of work Maggie enjoys running, traveling, and cooking/baking for her friends and family.

Olivia received her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Alvernia University. She has experience in a variety of pediatric settings including outpatient clinics and schools. Olivia has a specialty certification in primitive reflex integration and advanced training in neurodevelopmental treatment and feeding. She has a strong passion for working with children with disabilities as well as traveling. These passions have led her to work with children abroad in countries such as Zambia and Uganda, Africa. Olivia strives to provide specialized care that meets the needs of each child while empowering families through an educated and holistic perspective.  She believes each child has a unique purpose and hopes to play a part in helping them live life to the fullest.

Kristen has a passion for helping the pediatric population participate in their daily routines and meet their full potential. Specifically, Kristen has an interest in working with young clients with neurological impairments, feeding difficulties and developmental delays. She received her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Scranton. She has experience in a variety of treatment settings (inpatient adults and pediatrics, outpatient pediatrics). She is certified in the Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach (SOS Approach) and follows Marsha Dunn Klein’s “Get Permission” Approach to treat children with a variety of feeding difficulties. Kristen believes in a family centered approach, using both home and community resources to promote success in occupational performance. She works with the belief that all children are unique and deserve a personalized, play-based treatment approach to fit their individual needs.

Nicole graduated with a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Alvernia University. She later received her Certification in Sensory Integration through the University of Southern California’s sensory integration certificate program. Nicole is also a Certified Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach (SOS Approach) Therapist for treating children with feeding difficulties. Additionally, she is a Certified Interactive Metronome Treatment Specialist, a program used for treating children with timing, attention, and coordination deficits. Nicole utilizes individualized, multi-sensory, fun, play-based interventions with her clients. She believes in a multi-disciplinary approach to treating children with developmental delays in order for them to reach their potential.

Certified Lactation Counselor

As a mother of two boys and infant feeding specialist, Kelly understands the unique challenges that arise when feeding your baby. Kelly takes pride in helping families to identify and eliminate barriers to successful and safe breast and bottle feedings. In addition to receiving her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree at Bloomsburg University, she is also a Board-Certified Lactation Counselor, and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist with over 10 years of infant feeding experience. She has participated in advanced training regarding tethered oral tissues and supporting oral functional habilitation of the breastfeeding dyad. Kelly works collaboratively with a variety of specialists to support and empower families to meet their feeding goals.