|
|
Meet the Occupational Therapy Team |
|
Leah Wiltgen
Clinical Regional Manager Occupational Therapist OTR/L Leah Wiltgen is a registered and licensed occupational therapist. She has over 5 years of experience with pediatric OT and loves working with children. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development and Family Relations at East Carolina University in 2016 and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2019. In 2020, she became a Certified Autism Specialist and mastered competencies in the understanding of Autism, parent communication, and behavior modification. Leah has also participated in training for feeding interventions and reflex integration.
|
Claire Tero
Occupational Therapist MSOT,OTR/L Claire has been an occupational therapist for 12 years. Prior to becoming an OTR, she was a respite caregiver for parents of children with autism as well as adults in the home. She has a variety of experience working within the field of occupational therapy, including working in the schools, outpatient adults, assisted living with adults with dementia, and early intervention. She now contracts with schools through Speech Inspirations. She has a certification as an Autism Clinical Specialist and enjoys providing insight for coordinating with parents and teachers on all things related to autism. Claire is a mom, a bonus/step mom, a dog mom, and a cat mom. In her spare time, you might find her taking a dance class, painting or writing, walking with her son and dog, traveling to England where her family lives, or practicing yoga.
|
Joe Erbstoesser
Occupational Therapist OTR/L Joe graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with a background working in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, schools, behavioral health clinics, and hospitals. He has experience working with both children and adults, most recently working with children with behavioral health disorders including attention deficit disorders, autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, oppositional defiance disorders, and developmental delays. Joe has an especially strong passion for working with children with complex needs related to social skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and fine motor development. Outside of work, Joe loves writing music, being physically active, thrift shopping, spending time with friends and family, and trying new restaurants around the area.
|
Julia Ryan
Occupational Therapist OTD,OTR/L Julia was born and raised in Cleveland, OH where she developed her passion for occupational therapy while working as a gymnastics instructor for children with varying social, sensory, and developmental disorders. In May 2024, Julia graduated with a doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. Julia has experience providing therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X, Epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, and other medically complex diagnoses. She also has experience administering Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) to pediatric stroke survivors and children with Hemiparesis. She is passionate about ensuring that all children have the skills and support needed to reach their highest potential!
|
Kristen Ruiz
Occupational Therapist OTR/L. Kristen Ruiz was born and raised in Florida, where she received a Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Since then, she has been a practicing pediatric OT and has worked with children ranging in age from under 1 year to over 18 years in their homes, daycares, and schools. She has worked with children with developmental delays, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, TBI, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Sensory Processing Disorder and many more through a play-based and client-centered approach. She is dedicated to engaging with children in activities that are most important to them as well as supporting parents through collaboration and coaching to make a meaningful and lasting difference in their family’s lives. She enjoys spending her free time outside on walks with her family and dog, painting, reading, and exploring North Carolina.
|
Allison Stockwell
Occupational Therapist OTR/L. Allison is originally from Jamestown, NY and recently moved to Charlotte to pursue her career as an occupational therapist. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2024. Allison's clinical experience in graduate school allowed her to work with a variety of individuals of all ages and with a wide range of diagnoses. When she is not working, she is spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, watching movies, and reading.
|
|
|
|
Morgan Savage
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA Morgan is originally from Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Piedmont Technical College with an Associate’s degree in occupational therapy and now resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She is very excited to start her career in pediatric therapy! Growing up in a family of 11 has sparked her passion to support and encourage kids to be more independent in daily living. Her student fieldwork experience has given her the opportunity to work with an assortment of diagnoses within a wide range of settings and ages using her creativity and therapeutic use of self. In her free time, Morgan enjoys playing pickleball and beach volleyball, and going on hikes with family and friends.
|
Eileen Hackney
Occupational Therapist OTR/L Eileen is a school-based and pediatric occupational therapist who is passionate about working with children with disabilities. Her journey to occupational therapy began with her older brother by attending his animal assistive and aquatic OT sessions. Since then, she has had experience working in a summer camp with children (ages 5-18) with mild to severe physical and mental illnesses (including Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy). She has experience working as an occupational therapist in both the outpatient and school settings. She has lived in Virginia and Maine, but calls North Carolina home with her husband. Outside work, she enjoys going to the gym, walking outdoors, going fishing, cooking, and traveling.
|
Maria Wojtila
Occupational Therapist OTR/L Maria Wojtila is a registered and licensed occupational therapist who earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Gannon University. Maria has always had a passion for helping others, and grew up volunteering for a day treatment center that serves children with autism and other developmental delays. Although she spent the first few years of her professional career working with adults, Maria believes her high energy, bubbly personality and creative mind was made for being a pediatric occupational therapist. Maria is a lifelong learner and is dedicated to providing evidence-based and holistic treatments to those she serves. In her free time, Maria loves exploring Charlotte, playing tennis, and spending time with her friends.
|
Nathaniel Tarney
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA Nate graduated from Durham Technical Community College and lives in Durham, NC. He has experience working with people of all ages with a variety of diagnoses. He is especially passionate about childhood movement disorders, communication needs, and autism. He believes in family-centric therapy to support success both in and out of the clinic. In his free time, he enjoys reading, cooking, and playing with his cats.
|
