Meet The Team

Nikki graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Nikki has worked in a variety of pediatric settings and has been with PTS since 2002. Nikki specializes in treating all different types of children with language/feeding disorders. She enjoys helping families become successful through her guidance with bottle and breast feeding. Nikki believes that by working together the family, child and therapy team will be successful. Nikki shares her knowledge and experiences through mentoring as a clinical supervisor for SLP’s during their clinical fellowship year. Nikki enjoys reading, movies and all dogs.

Cindy holds a BS from St. Cloud State and graduated from the University of North Dakota with her Physical Therapy degree. Cindy has worked in varied settings treating children and adults in state institutions, pediatric clinics, nursing homes, and within the school system. Cindy joined PTS in 1994. Cindy is NDT trained in Pediatrics, trained in the TheraSuit Method and in Kinesiotaping. Cindy is a clinical instructor for physical therapy students completing their final rotations prior to graduation. Cindy has enjoyed watching the PTS clinic grow over the years. She loves to travel and work on home remodeling projects.

Gail joined the PTS team in 2007. Gail balances the many demands of the front desk while greeting families, children and staff with warmth and respect. She offers nurturing to everyone, growing the family concept that PTS strives for. Gail enjoys her interactions with children, families, and staff. She has learned so much from her interactions with the therapists and finds their jobs fascinating. Outside of her clinic, Gail enjoys being with her family and friends.

Carrie received her Masters of Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida. Carrie has worked for PTS since 2010. Carrie’s approach to therapy differs with every child she sees. She works to use the interest of each child to make therapy an experience which the child will enjoy and want to engage in. She finds that the more excited and engaged a child is in a topic or activity the better they respond to new opportunities/challenges. Carrie enjoys spending her free time with her son, Clayton, and also with family and friends!

Emie received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science in 2007 and Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University in 2009. Go Buckeyes! Emie has been a PTS team member since September 2009. Her areas of interest include early language development, alternative and augmentative communication, and literacy. In her free time, Emie enjoys running, watching movies, reading, and playing with her cat, Mickey.

Erica graduated from the University of South Florida with a Master of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Erica has been working as a Speech Language Pathologist since 2012 and has experienced in the charter school setting, nursing home setting and the private practice setting. Erica is currently certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Erica enjoys treating a variety of children with various diagnoses. Erica utilizes a holistic approach when treating her patients and incorporates techniques from other disciplines whenever possible. Erica has a passion for helping others and truly enjoys working with the pediatric population. As a native Floridian, she enjoys activities such as boating, exercising, photography, spending time with family and attending sporting events.

Kathy attended Ball State University in Indiana moving to Lakeland in 1978. Kathy has made her professional home with PTS for over 20 years. Kathy is certified in Medisoft and continues her education in trainings for management, billing, and coding. Kathy works tirelessly to insure that PTS is aware of any changes in requirements that affect the overall ability of PTS to help children and families. Kathy enjoys seeing the PTS therapists guiding the children as they work to meet their goals and enjoys being able to help others succeed in their lives. Kathy’s special interests include running, gardening, art, her church and missions.

Sean graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2000. He has practiced in a wide range of settings in Ohio and Florida before coming to PTS, including hospitals, rehab facilities, home health, and schools. He has experience working with adults following brain and spinal cord injuries, strokes, and miscellaneous trauma; acute and chronic psychiatric conditions; chronic and post-operative orthopedic conditions; and cardiac conditions. He also received training in the area of driver rehabilitation and established a CARD-approved (autism-friendly) private practice providing evaluation and training for teens and young adults with barriers to learning how to drive in traditional driver education environments. Sean has always enjoyed interacting with children and has been working directly with the pediatric population full-time since 2017. He is excited to be developing feeding interventions at PTS for children and their families who struggle with picky eating and related disorders. In his spare time, Sean enjoys kayaking with his family and playing guitar.

Nadia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from Florida State University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in May 2017. Nadia spent her second clinical rotation as a student at Pediatric Therapy Services, Brandon where she confirmed that she wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics. She loves the team approach to treatment at PTS and values the mentorship that more seasoned therapists provide her as she grows as a professional. Outside of the clinic, Nadia enjoys spending time outside with her husband and boys and working on projects around the house.

Marlee earned her Bachelors of Science in Communications Science and Disorders from the Florida State University and Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Florida. Marlee loves being part of the team at PTS as it gives her the ability to collaborate with all the disciplines to ensure her kiddos get the best possible care! She enjoys treating the children individually as it allows her to get to know each one on their own and learn what works for them personally. In her free time, Marlee loves to spend time with her family (she is 1 of 7 kids), exploring parks and farmer’s markets outside in the Florida sunshine and cheering on her Seminoles!

Olivia is originally from Huntsville, AL. She did her undergraduate work at Oakwood University, majoring in Music Performance, Piano, and then switched gears to receive her Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She has been a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist since 1991. Her experience spans a variety of age groups with various needs. She is married to a wonderful husband, Bruce, and has two beautiful children, Erika, age 14, and Elijah, age 11. She enjoys playing the piano, singing, listening to music, bowling, swimming, traveling and spending time with family.

Becca earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University and then pursued her Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Florida State University. Becca is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She has experience working with pediatrics in the school system and private practice setting. Becca’s goal in speech and language therapy is to make therapy engaging and to involve the family to promote carryover of skills across multiple settings. When not at PTS, Becca enjoys playing volleyball, reading, cooking new recipes, and spending time with her family.

Stephanie attended the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2013 and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2015. Go Bulls! As a PROMPT trained clinician, Stephanie is able to provide specific tactile-kinesthetic input during treatment. Outside of the clinic, Stephanie enjoys bowling, playing cards, and spending time with her husband and twin boys!

Chelsey completed her BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida, where she continued to get her MA in Speech Pathology in 2017. She has gained experience in multiple school settings as well in the private clinical setting. Chelsey enjoys collaborating with other disciplines to make sure all her kiddos become the best they can be! Chelsey was born and raised in Florida and enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting, watching college football, and going on adventures with her dog, Cooper!

Abby is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor‘s of Science in Psychology and her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. She is certified in the Therasuit Method. Her passion for working with children began in high school and led her to the field of Occupational Therapy. At PTS, it is important to Abby to create a positive and creative environment for her patients, where they can work hard, have fun, and feel supported. Abby values developing a strong and collaborative relationship with her patient‘s families and other PTS team members to meet and surpass each child’s goals. She believes that every child has a special gift and certain strengths to make this world and our communities better! In her free time, she enjoys playing and coaching girls’ lacrosse, traveling internationally, going to the beach, and being with friends and family! Fun Fact: Abby played college lacrosse for 4 years (Go Hornets!)

Karen has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. She graduated from Strayer University in 2017. She recently joined PTS and has over 30 years billing and insurance experience. Karen enjoys golf, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Currie obtained her Bachelor’s of Exercise Science with a minor in psychology from Freed-Hardeman University and her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University. She loves that working with children provides the opportunity to make an impact that will last a lifetime. Currie enjoys working with a variety of ages and diagnoses but has a special interest in addressing prevocational skills with adolescents and developmental milestones with infants and toddlers. A native Floridian, she loves going to the beach, mountain biking with her husband, Ty, and playing with her dog, Snook.

Erin received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida and Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Florida. She enjoys working with her clients and their families to customize treatment plans to best meet the needs and goals of each specific child. Erin is PROMPT trained, which allows her to take a multi-faceted treatment approach to verbal speech production. She loves being part of the PTS family and working alongside a supportive interdisciplinary team to help provide her clients with the best possible care. When not at PTS, Erin enjoys visiting farmers markets and food festivals, traveling, cooking, and attempting DIY projects.

Savannah graduated from Florida Southern College with a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration in 2019. Shortly after graduating she decided to permanently make Lakeland her home. Savannah worked at a special needs summer camp in 2019 and completed her college internship at a local ABA clinic. Savannah is heavily involved in Special Olympics. She enjoys watching the therapists interact with their patients as they progress towards their therapy goals.

Kristina earned her Bachelor’s degree in Community Health at Florida Gulf Coast University and completed her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Nova Southeastern University. She is certified in the Therasuit Method, which she discovered a passion for as a student during her final clinical rotation at All Children’s Hospital. Kristina has always been passionate about working with children and is excited to be part of a team that values collaboration within the interdisciplinary team. Kristina was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, watching sports, cooking, and being on the water.