Leadership

Stephanie Coe, OTR/L, SWC, PAM, LEC

aMAYZing Kids Co-Founder and Clinical Director
Hailey Mayz Foundation Medical Advisory Board Member

Stephanie has extensive experience in pediatrics with evaluation and treatment of sensory processing disorders, pervasive developmental disorders (including autism), feeding and swallowing difficulties, fine-motor deficits, and developmental delays. Her specialized training includes advanced practice in feeding and swallowing (SWC), vital-stimulation certification, advanced practice in physical agent modalities (PAM), and advanced training in the SOS approach to feeding. She is certified in administering the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT), as well as the Therapeutic Listening program and astronaut training. Her qualifications include a B.S in occupational therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and a B.S. in psychology from Drexel University in Pennsylvania. Stephanie enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, her two children, and her dog.

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Michelle Dilts, MS

aMAYZing Kids Co-Founder and Clinical Director
Hailey Mayz Foundation Medical Advisory Board Member

Michelle is a versatile therapist with diverse skills in teaching and infant care. She has a B.S. from Villanova University and a master’s degree in education from Fordham University. She taught elementary school for 15 years and now specializes in helping children with severe cognitive and language delays, assessing patients with the HELP, Rossetti and DAYC assessments. She is a hands-on partner with parents, and has completed coursework in child development and special education. Michelle has additional experience in marketing and advertising. Michelle enjoys camping and spending time at home with her husband and her two daughters.

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Lori Roelofs, PT, MPT, DPT

aMAYZing Kids Co-Founder and Clinical Director
Hailey Mayz Foundation Medical Advisory Board Member

Lori is an experienced pediatric specialist with a passion for physical therapy. She is trained in teaching yoga to children, sensory integration therapy, SCERTS model for spectrum disorders, multifunctional movement, IASTM, dynamic bracing and orthotics, torticollis treatment, and NDT (neurodevelopmental treatment).  Lori earned her B.S. in Kinesiology from Cal State University Fullerton, and her master’s degree in physical therapy from Western University of Health Sciences and completed her Doctorate at the University of St. Augustine, San Marcos with an emphasis in Teaching and Learning.  Lori has evaluated and treated children of all ages in a variety of settings for over 20 years, including inpatient therapy, schools, infant/early intervention, and medical-based outpatient therapy and believes in evidence-based practice.  She enjoys mentoring the clinicians at aMAYZing Kids, business development, and spending time with her family.

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Sean Vassilaros

Chairman of the Board, Hailey Mayz Foundation
aMAYZing Kids Co-Founder

Sean is a proven manager and leader who began his career as an entrepreneur and IT/systems specialist in the Internet space. From there, he translated those skills into the advertising industry, where he has led multi-disciplinary teams that build the latest in interactive marketing tools. He is currently Chief Operating Officer and partner at Thread, a digital-first agency with a focus on the healthcare industry, where he works to improve health through the combination of creativity and technology.

Erik is a seasoned executive, having spent over 30 years in the senior living industry with a leading national group purchasing organization (GPO). He began his career managing supplier contracts that eventually exceeded $750 million in value. In addition, he served as the president and CEO of the national GPO for 5 years and helped develop industry standards and best practices for supplier and manufacturer contract negotiations and value-added programs. Erik’s skills include corporate marketing, finance, sales, contract administration, human resources, and IT. He has a B.A. in English and an M.B.A., both from Brigham Young University.

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Kathy Morrison

Clinic Volunteer

Board Member, Hailey Mayz Foundation

Kathy is a friend of the Hailey Mayz Foundation.   She was an integral part of setting up important office policy and procedures and is a member of the board.  Over the years, she has volunteered at various aMAYZing Kids events and has spent countless hours working at the clinic.  Kathy has recently relocated back to California and is enjoying retirement with her husband.

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Mazie Stempkowski

Clinic Volunteer

Board Member, Hailey Mayz Foundation

Mazie is Hailey’s grandmother as well as a volunteer at aMAYZing Kids.  She enjoys seeing the legacy of her granddaughter live on through the clinic.

Wendy Vassilaros

Board Member, Hailey Mayz Foundation

Wendy is the mother of four children: three girls and a boy. Hailey Mayz is her second child. Although she doesn’t have much free time, when she does, she loves to volunteer and help out with the clinic. Wendy has a master’s degree in education with a minor in human and child development. After teaching elementary school for several years, she decided to take some time off to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. She also writes a blog journaling her experiences with the grief of losing a child. http://haileyshalo.blogspot.com

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Occupational Therapy

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Stephanie Coe, OTR/L, SWC, PAM, LEC

Occupational Therapist (OT/L)

 Feeding Specialist, Swallow Certified

Stephanie has extensive experience in pediatrics with evaluation and treatment of sensory processing disorders, pervasive developmental disorders (including autism), feeding and swallowing difficulties, fine-motor deficits, and developmental delays. Her specialized training includes advanced practice in feeding and swallowing (SWC), vital-stimulation certification (NMES), advanced practice in physical agent modalities (PAM), Lactation education consultant (LEC) and advanced training in the SOS approach to feeding. She is certified in administering the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT), as well as the Therapeutic Listening program and astronaut training. Her qualifications include a B.S in occupational therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and a B.S. in psychology from Drexel University in Pennsylvania.

 Stephanie enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, her two children, and her dog.

Leilanie Dao, OT/L, SWC, PAM

Department Lead

Occupational Therapist  (OT/L) Feeding Specialist, Swallow Certified

Leilanie earned her MS Degree in Occupational Therapy at San Jose State University.  She has over 15 years of experience working in the pediatric field, specializing in early childhood development, sensory integration and feeding/swallowing. Leilanie has achieved advanced practice in feeding and swallowing (SWC) and is certified practitioner for the application of physical agent modalities (PAM), vital stimulation (LNMES) and Sensory integration and praxis test (SIPT).  Leilanie brings with her strong leadership skills with her experience as a lead therapist at a nationally recognized top children’s hospital.  She has served as a vital member of interdisciplinary teams i.e. CHOC Children’s Inpatient Feeding Program and the Early Developmental Assessment Clinic.

Leilanie is a loving mother of 3 young boys, who certainly keep her on her toes!  She is creative, energetic, and adventurous individual who brings her positivity and expertise to aMAYZing Kids.

Leilanie loves aMAYZing Kids because it allows her a more work-life balance.  She also loves how genuinely invested the directors are in every one’s well-being and how they value each person’s contribution to the clinic.

Morgan Kollenda, OTR

Occupational Therapist 

BIO COMING SOON!!!!!

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Bess Sorensen, MOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist 

Bess earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, then earned her Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA.  She has over 6 years of experience working in the pediatric OT field, specializing in early childhood development, sensory integration and oral motor skills/self-feeding, and problem/picky eaters.  Bess always looks to engage, not only the child, but parents, teachers, and other team members to create the most positive environment possible for every client.  Her family-centered approach to therapy stems from seeing her brother in OT, ST, and feeding therapy throughout his childhood and seeing the effect it had on her family growing up. Her approach encourages parents to be an integral part of the therapeutic process and engage with their child and their therapist to create a strong bond and a trusting therapeutic relationship.

Bess is a loving wife and mother of a little boy, who has more personality than she knows what to do with!  She loves doing puzzles, country music concerts, and anything Harry Potter.

Bess loves the collaborative environment that aMAYZing Kids provides to all clients, their families, and its employees.

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Lori Roelofs, PT, MPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist 

Department Lead

Lori is an experienced pediatric specialist with a passion for physical therapy. She is trained in teaching yoga to children, sensory integration therapy, SCERTS model for spectrum disorders, dynamic bracing and orthotics, torticollis treatment, and NDT (neurodevelopmental treatment). Lori earned her B.S. in kinesiology from Cal State University Fullerton, and her master’s degree in physical therapy from Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona.  Lori has evaluated and treated children of all ages in a variety of settings for over 19 years, including inpatient therapy, schools, infant/early intervention, and medical-based outpatient therapy.

She enjoys mentoring the clinicians at aMAYZing Kids, business development, spending time with her own two children, and being outdoors.

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Jessica Martin, PT, DPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist 

Jessica earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Chapman University. Prior to receiving her Doctorate, she studied Kinesiology and Child Development at Texas Christian University. Jessica found her passion for pediatric physical therapy in her younger years when she volunteered assisting a special needs soccer team. Since then, she has participated in special needs baseball, Special Olympics, respite nights, and volunteered at a special needs school. Jessica has participated in a Toe Walking research study with CHOC and has received certifications in the treatment of Torticollis and Pediatric Kinesiology Taping. She is bubbly and full of energy but don’t let that fool you, she makes her patients work when in therapy and believes therapy is purposeful play. She has always loved working with children because it keeps her on her toes and constantly having to think outside the box. 

Jessica loves to stay active by hiking, playing volleyball and football, and chasing her nieces and nephews. 

 

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Tammy Daneman, PTA

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Tammy is an experienced pediatric physical therapist assistant who completed her certification at Cerritos College in 1997. She has spent her career in pediatric clinics, treating children with sensorimotor, muscular, skeletal and neuromuscular disorders. She is trained in NDT, sensory integration techniques and the treatment of infants with Torticollis.  Tammy is outgoing, caring and patient.  She loves working with children of all ages and her therapy sessions are often full of singing and laughter.

Tammy has been married for 28 years and is a mother of two very busy teenagers.  She enjoys crafting, walking on the beach, relaxing at the lake and spending time with her family.

What Tammy loves about aMAYZing Kids is the dedication of the AK staff and how they are always going above and beyond to get the families the best possible care.

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Laura got her doctorate in physical therapy in 2005 from Washington University in Saint Louis.  It was there she was drawn towards outpatient orthopedics and focusing on helping patients treat the problem instead of the symptoms.  Her experience included working with pediatrics, athletes and geriatric patients.  In 2006 Laura started her career as a physiotherapist in Sydney, Australia and enhanced her toolbox by learning new manual techniques, advanced taping types and focusing on women’s health. In 2011 she moved back to the US and worked in outpatient clinic using Redcord, ASTYM, vertigo therapy and concussion diagnosis & treatments.  Laura is passionate and dedicated to helping each patient reach their healthy living goals.

In her free time Laura enjoys playing with her son and taking him to the beach club.  She also loves playing tennis, photography and traveling.

What Laura loves about working at aMAYZing Kids is using her creativity with exercises and allowing kids to have fun but at the same time work towards meeting their functional goals.

Infant Stim Therapy

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Michelle Dilts, MS

Infant Teacher

Michelle is an experienced infant teacher with background of 15 years working as an elementary school teacher. She is passionate about her role in promoting the overall development of the child from ages 0-36 months through play development and social interaction.  She is instrumental in preparing children with severe cognitive and language delays for transition to direct speech therapy.  Michelle knows how important it is to collaborate regularly with parents and provide them with repeated modeling and a strong home program.   Her background includes a MS in teaching and early childhood development.

Michelle has been married 25 years and has 2 incredible daughters.  She loves to play with her animals, exercise, and travel anywhere tropical.  She is a big fan of Harry Potter and Taylor Swift.

Michelle loves being a part of both the business and therapy side of aMAYZing Kids.  She is able to collaborate with therapy staff, treat children, listen to staff needs and learn more about the business world.

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Speech Therapy

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Erica Buday, SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist
Department Lead

Erica has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from San Diego State University in speech pathology and audiology. She has worked in a variety of settings with diverse populations, including adults, at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and severely disabled children in the San Francisco Unified School District. In Orange County, she has worked with children of all ages with a variety of disorders and needs, including receptive-expressive language, fluency, cleft palate, apraxia, autism, and articulation. She is specially trained in using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.

Erica has been married for 39 years and has two adult sons, three grandchildren, and two dogs: chocolate Labrador, Guinness and mini Goldendoodle, Lulu.  She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, playing with her dogs and going on walks.

Erica loves how the whole AK staff, including the office works collaboratively to ensure a positive experience for all the families.

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Leslie Ngo, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant 

Leslie has a Bachelor of Arts in communicative disorders from California State University, Fullerton and received SLPA certification in 2005. She completed her SLPA internship in a school setting and in a hospital setting, where she worked with adult stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. She has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages and a variety of disorders, including articulation, apraxia, autism, receptive/expressive, and pragmatic language.

Monica Martinez, SLPA 

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant 

Monica earned her AA degree in a Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program(SLPA) from Santa Ana College. She also received her AA degree in Child Development from Irvine College. Monica has more than ten years’ experience in working with children and adults with special needs. She has over 13 years’ experience in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis.) She has experience working with a variety of disorders including; autism, down syndrome, and emotionally disturbed.  She has been able to utilize this experience as a licensed SLPA. Monica speaks Spanish and knows American Sign Language.

In her free time, Monica enjoys spending time with her family and her husband. She recently bought a home in Ranch Santa Margarita and is enjoying getting to know the area. Monica also loves to paint and watch sports.

What Monica loves about aMAYZing Kids is that her co-workers are so welcoming and they are also a tremendous resource.

                                                  Chelsea Hanifin, SLPA

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Kim joined the aMAYZing Kids family in July of 2020. She received her B.A. in Communication with a minor in Applied Psychology from the University of California- Santa Barbara and has a well-rounded background in customer service, marketing and event coordination.

In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to podcasts and finding new shows to binge watch on Netflix.

Kim enjoys being a part of a talented multi-disciplinary team and witnessing patients grow and develop new skills.

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