At Shining Stars Therapy, we take pride in providing the best Pediatric Therapy Services for your child. With experienced, enthusiastic occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech therapists, our team is here to serve you. Please scroll down the page to learn more about our team members!
Dawn received her degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997 from Downstate Health Science Center in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently pursuing a Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Salus University and has recently obtained her certification in Remedial Vision and Rehabilitation. Dawn also has additional certifications in Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT), Handwriting Without Tears, Interactive Metronome (IM), the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (DPPT), Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, the SOS feeding approach, and CAN-Eat. Dawn founded Shining Stars Therapy in 2009 after seeing a need for family and patient-centered therapy services for children in our community.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003, Julie moved to North Carolina where she worked with young children with Fragile X syndrome and their families for three years while pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University. She has been working in pediatrics since 2010, and has gained specialized training in Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, functional vision, Beckman Oral/Motor assessment, CAN-EAT approach, sensory integration, Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique, NDT handling, and CIMT.
Megan earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Parks Management with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She then received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University in Virginia. She completed her fieldwork rotations in community mental health, community physical disabilities, inpatient rehabilitation, and a pediatric outpatient clinic. Through her pediatric rotations, she worked with children ages 1-16 with a range of diagnoses including autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, Down syndrome, developmental delays, anxiety, emotional disorders, and trauma. While in school, Megan enjoyed volunteering at Victory Junction which is a camp for children with serious medical conditions and disabilities.
Emily earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy from East Carolina University in 2005. She later returned to East Carolina University to obtain her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, where she graduated in 2008. Her rotation in the burn center is where she discovered her passion for working with children. She worked for the NC Children’s Hospital at UNC where she specialized in treating both inpatients and outpatients who had suffered from various ailments including trauma, genetic syndromes, orthopedic injury, neurological insults, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. After having her family, Emily transitioned to outpatient pediatrics where she has been since 2015.
Baillie received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Queens University of Charlotte in 2012. She then worked with a non-profit healthcare organization in Charlotte for 4 years assisting the community with access to a variety of healthcare needs. She received her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2018. Baillie has been working in outpatient and early intervention pediatrics ever since her graduation. She has worked with children birth to 21 with a variety of needs including cerebral palsy, autism and ADHD, sensory processing needs, seizure disorders, genetic and orthopedic conditions. She loves to pursue continued education in the field of occupational therapy, and she incorporates evidence-based research into her daily practice.
Hadley earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Education in Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities from the University of Virginia. She then earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy with fieldwork experiences in schools, skilled nursing, inpatient acute care, and pediatric aquatic therapy. Hadley is trained in the CAN-EAT Approach for Feeding and has completed training for reflex integration. She enjoys working with children with sensory processing disorders, autism, and orthopedic conditions.
Felicia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ithaca College in 2009. She completed a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Bay Path College in Massachusetts in 2014. Since graduating, she has worked in early intervention and outpatient pediatric clinics with children having a wide variety of diagnoses including ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, agenesis of the corpus callosum, spinocerebellar ataxia, muscular dystrophy, brachial plexus, epilepsy, learning disabilities, sensory processing deficits, and visual perceptual deficits. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening and Quickshift music. She is also educated and experienced in Sensory Processing, Handwriting Without Tears, and Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive technique.
Kristina received her undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Services from East Carolina University and her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. She completed clinical rotations in school settings and in an outpatient pediatric clinic that specialized in working with individuals birth – 21 with a range of diagnoses including developmental delay, ASD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and seizures. Additionally, while completing her master’s degree, Kristina worked at the Assistive Technology Resource Center helping college students with disabilities excel in secondary education. Kristina specializes in assistive technology and sensory integration and is pursuing additional training in feeding, like the CAN- EAT approach.
Becky received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work in 2005. Prior to going to OT school she had experience working with at-risk youth positioning into foster children, adult community residential mental health services in Nebraska, and she has worked Adults with Developmental Disabilities in residential homes and in the community. In 2016 Becky graduated from College Saint Mary in Omaha Nebraska receiving her Masters of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. In the field of Occupational Therapy, she has always work in pediatrics and she has gained specialized training in SOS Feeding Certificate, completed various Sensory Processing Certifications/Mentorships, iLs (Interactive Listening System) Focus Program, Astronaut Training Certificate, and she is certified to administer the EASI (Evaluation Assessment of Sensory Integration) assessment. In 2020 Becky received a Remedial Vision Rehabilitation Certificate from Salus University and a Certificate in Ayers Sensory Integration in 2023.
Mikayla received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from The University of Rhode Island and then completed a Clinical Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at Marist College in NY. She has experience working in adult outpatient orthopedics and outpatient pediatrics. Mikayla has experience working with rare genetic conditions, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays. Mikayla has been trained to use the Universal Exericse Unit, Therasuit, orthotics, and aquatic therapy for pediatrics. Mikayla recently moved to North Carolina from Connecticut in March 2022. She enjoys traveling and doing anything outdoors with her Labrador Retriever, Boomer.
Deanna is a pediatric physical therapist who received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from UNC Chapel Hill. Deanna is originally from the DC area and received her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science from Towson University. Deanna’s areas of interest include adaptive sports/exercises, transition into adulthood/independence, childhood obesity, foot and ankle limitations, and Latinx populations, however she enjoys working with any and all pediatric patients! Deanna enjoy’s working with families and other related services to provide a holistic approach to her treatment. Deanna strives to have fun and meaningful treatment sessions that encourage the child and their family to have an active part in achieving their goals. Deanna is also certified as a Barbell Rehab Provider and loves encouraging healthy lifestyles, including exercises and wellness for all children and families. In her free time, Deanna enjoys being outside, hiking, being at the beach, working out, making crafts, plants, and traveling.
Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Family Studies and began working with children in the preschool setting, where she was for ten years. She then pursued a Masters of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a focus on pediatrics in 2014. Jessica worked in the preschool and public school settings before transitioning to outpatient therapy. Specific areas of interest include: articulation, oral motor skills, and AAC. Jessica has completed training with FRIENDS Who Stutter, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, and CAN-EAT Approach. She has extensive experience treating children with Down syndrome, Autism spectrum disorder, as well as articulation, fluency, receptive and expressive language disorders.
Sarah graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts: Musical Theatre and a minor in English in 2008. After relocating to NC and starting a family, she went back to school and earned a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University in 2018. Sarah has worked in daycares, preschools, elementary schools, and high schools. She has experience in the evaluation and treatment of articulation and phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language impairments, childhood apraxia of speech, and fluency disorders. She has experience working with a wide variety of diagnoses throughout the pediatric population.
Brittany received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Management from East Carolina University in 2012. In 2016, She graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Minor Concentration in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Brittany worked in the preschool and public school settings before transitioning to outpatient therapy. Brittany has completed training with Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations. She has experience assessing and treating articulation and phonological disorders, pragmatic language impairments, expressive and receptive language impairments, oral motor impairments, cognitive impairments, as well as using augmentative communication.
Cassidy joined the Shining Stars team in May of 2022 after moving the the area from Tennessee. She previously worked in a pediatric therapy office similar to Shining Stars, and she is very knowledgeable on pediatric therapy services. Cassidy helps coordinate our patient care, including scheduling therapy visits, sending and receiving plans of care, communicating with doctor’s offices, coordinating new referrals, and verifying insurance. She also helps in marketing and social media outreach. Cassidy is a cheerful face that you will see when arriving at Shining Stars, and you will often talk to her if you call into the office. She enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs outside of work.
Taylor has been with Shining Stars Therapy since 2014. She began as a front desk receptionist and has transitioned now to our billing department. Taylor helps with insurance authorizations for all patients, checking benefits, processing copays, and providing billing statements. Any questions regarding insurance and billing are directed to Taylor.