Laura Goltz OTR/L is the owner of Timber 
Ridge Pediatric Therapy, LLC. She has been practicing OT for 25+ years and has experience with all stages of life including: preemies in the neonatal intensive care unit, in-patient and outpatient pediatrics, pregnant mothers on bedrest, and with adults in in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation. Her areas of training include NDT certification, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, Kinesio Taping, sensory integration, Torticollis and other baby treatment, vision therapy, and the cardio-pulmonary system. Laura also provides parent coaching and enjoys helping families achieve a happy home!
Maria Koumantos, MS OTR/L has experience working with children from birth to 18 years of age in various setting including outpatient, home, and school based services. She is an Early Intervention provider and certified in the Therapeutic Listening program. Her areas of special interest include sensory integration, visual motor coordination, core strengthening, and vision therapy. She loves collaborating with families, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals as an integral part of a child’s success.
Rachel Morris OTR/L is our school manager. Rachel grew up working with children who had autism, hearing impairment, and other developmental disorders. She has experience working with kids who have autistic spectrum disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, traumatic brain injuries, brachial plexus injuries, burns, cancer, and premature infants. She is trained in Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) administration, Therapeutic Listening™, and Interactive Metronome™.
Ronna DeKoven, OTR/L, C/NDT is an OT manager and a treating therapist. She has extensive experience working both in the public-school and in outpatient therapy settings. Ronna has participated in ongoing continuing education opportunities in the areas of sensory integration, autism, vision, motor developmental and motor control, regulation, feeding challenges, and play. She has completed professional training resulting in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) and Sensory Integration Certifications. These specialized skills support her evaluation and treatment of the underlying challenges which impact a child’s successful participation in everyday life. Ronna strives in her therapy sessions to incorporate play, enjoyment, and motivation to engage a child in the treatment process and to promote active parent participation.
Madonna Nash, OTR/L, C/NDT, is a published teacher, clinical instructor, and world-renowned occupational therapist. She is a leader in the areas of neurodevelopmental treatment and clinical management of neuro-motor, musculoskeletal, and sensory processing throughout the lifespan. Madonna is devoted to assessment and treatment, consultation and
teaching throughout the world. Impacting and enhancing the life of families, therapists and children is her reward!
Yarelly Velazquez, MS, OTR/L graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with her masters in occupational therapy. She is passionate about working with children and families, and has gained experience using evidence-based practice in therapy. Yarelly is currently obtaining an occupational therapy doctoral degree, focusing her research on increasing awareness and quality of OT services for Latinx families. As a bilingual provider, Yarelly aims to enhance collaboration with Spanish-speaking families to improve client-centered care. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, spending time with family, and trying new local restaurants.
Rayli Kanter, MS, CCC-SLP received her Master’s degree in Speech and Language from Lehman College and her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language and Audiology from Stern College in New York. Rayli enjoys working with the pediatric population in order to promote growth in play, language, and social skills. She has experience working with children from early intervention through high school in clinics, schools, and in home settings. Her areas of interest include working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Receptive and Expressive language disorders, and social-pragmatic communication. She has training in the PROMPT method. Rayli will be providing speech therapy services in schools and in our Deerfield clinic. In her free time, Rayli enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her family.
Sydney Ferstein, MS, CCC-SLP received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Speech & Hearing Sciences and went on to receive her master’s from Northwestern University in Communication Sciences & Disorders. She has worked with children age 3-19 years of age in a variety of clinical, school-based, and home settings. Sydney has experience evaluating and treating articulation and phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, social pragmatic disorders, motor speech disorders, and fluency disorders. She will be providing speech therapy services in schools and in our Deerfield clinic. Sydney enjoys spending quality time with her friends & family and reading mystery-thriller novels.
Veronica Meza, MS, OTR/L ,graduated from Lewis University with her Masters of Science in occupational therapy. She loves learning about different cultures to promote diversity and inclusion as art of her pediatric work whenever possible. Veronica has varied pediatric experience including working with children who have autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, hearing, vision, and cognitive impairements, and more. Veronica enjoys spending time with family, spending time outdoors, and trying new local restaurants.
Ashley Pak, MS, OTR/L, graduated from Lewis University with her Masters of Science in occupational therapy. Her passion for occupational therapy started while serving a volunteer at Timber Ridge before OT school! She has experience working with individuals of all ages in a variety of settings. Ashley strives to provide client-centered, evidence- based, and fun interventions to promote participation in daily routines and meaningful occupations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, taking yoga and pilates classes, and engaging in self-care activities.
Jennifer “Jen” Dahms, MOT, OTR/L received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from North Central College. She has various pediatric experience and is familiar with diagnoses including ASD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, and more. Jennifer values providing client-centered and trauma-informed practice. She strives to foster a space that makes clients feel safe and comfortable to learn and grow! Outside of work, she enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with her loved ones.
Suzanna Glowacki, MOT, OTR/L graduated from Saint Louis University with her Master of Occupational Therapy. She has experience working with children who have developmental delays, autism, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, feeding, and sensory processing difficulties. She uses evidence based practice and client centered care to help her families achieve their goals. She is fluent in Polish, enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and exploring different neighborhoods in Chicago.
Nicole Ruprich, OTD, OTR/L received her doctorate in occupational therapy at University of Michigan- Flint. She focused her doctoral capstone experience on researching infant development and implementing research into practice. She enjoys working with children and incorporating fun and evidence-based treatment plans into sessions. She is passionate about providing client-centered care and collaborating with families and other professionals to create interventions for each individual child. Outside of work, Nicole loves spending time with friends and family as well as exploring new cafes and shops in Chicago.
Randi Gideon OTR/L, NTMTC, Ergonomist Certified, comes to Timber Ridge with a vast array of skills and experiences. Having worked in multiple settings including Inpatient Adult Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Outpatient Developmental Clinics, she brings broad perspective and appreciation for how early experiences through infancy and childhood can impact and change through varied stages of life and how very different and beautiful people can be. In all settings, communication and collaboration with family, caregivers and other loved ones proves time and again to be of vital importance and Randi values that relationship as well as the relationship with the individual with which she directly works. She is mother to two young adults and an adorable, neurotic Labradoodle. 🙂
Emily Rodheim, MS, OTR/L received her masters degree in Occupational Therapy at Elmhurst University and undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Rehabilitation Psychology. She has multiple years experience working with children from birth to 18 years old with various diagnoses in both a hospital/NICU setting & home setting. She is also Early Intervention certified. Emily loves working with children and families to help guide, support, and celebrate a child’s developmental growth. Outside of work, Emily loves baking/cooking new recipes and exploring Chicago with friends and family.
Allison Fair, MOT, OTR/L received her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and her Master of Occupational Therapy from North Central College. Allison’s experience includes, but isn’t limited to, working with children with fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, and oppositional defiant disorder. Allison values connecting with children and their parents in order to form trusting, therapeutic relationships. She is interested in finding unique ways to incorporate exercise and movement into occupational therapy sessions to create a productive and fun environment! In Allison’s free time, she loves spending time with her dog, dancing, and going to Cubs games.
Kaylie Wynn, OTD, OTR/L received her doctorate in occupational therapy at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. She focused her doctoral capstone experience on educating daycare providers on the importance of sensory processing and how these can impact play. She strives to build trusting relationships with each individual child and their families through client-centered care. By doing so, the session can provide a positive and fun environment for the child to grow. Outside of work, Kaylie enjoys hanging with her friends and cat, reading, and exercising.
Darlene Mazilu, our medical biller has over ten years of experience in the medical field. She started her career as a Medical Assistant and went on to become the Office Manager of a thriving Family Practice. From there, she moved on to a position managing a Physical Therapy office. She took some time away from the medical field and spent it caring for children in a daycare facility. Darlene is a mother of three who enjoys yoga, trying new cuisines and family movie nights.
Jenny Landsman,our office manager has over 23 years experience in the non-profit world dealing with project and program management to help enhance the community. She was the office manager of a thriving social service agency for over 10 years. Jenny is the proud mother of five wonderful children.