Now In-Network with CHI Health!
Meet Our Team
Occupational Therapists
Emily Worth, OTD, OTR/L
Company Owner and Occupational Therapist
Emily is a graduate of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program of Creighton University. She completed her beginning years of practice in Boston, Massachusetts, with focus on pediatrics and sensory integrative therapy. She has received certification in advanced treatment tools in the areas of Therapeutic Listening, Craniosacral Therapy, and Interactive Metronome. This additional education has increased the quality and efficiency of her deliverance of pediatric therapy. In 2007, she founded a private practice Stones Worth Stepping, P.C. so that she can share her knowledge and experience with families of special needs children. Her passion for pediatrics and the sensory integration treatment approach is focused toward the progress and development of patients and their goals to achieve the maximum potential for quality of life.
Emily Smith, MOT, OTR/L
Executive Director and Occupational Therapist
Emily is a graduate of the Masters of Occupational Therapy Program from Rockhurst University. She enjoys working with children in a variety of skill areas including fine motor, gross motor, sensory, and motor planning. She is certified in multiple areas including Astronaut Training, Advanced Therapeutic Listening, and Myofascial Release Training. Her love of sports and game activities assist her creative methods to combine therapeutic techniques into fun motivating activities for the kids. Emily has experience working with children with a variety of developmental disabilities and diagnoses such as Autism, ADHD, ADD, Cerebral Palsy, and Down syndrome. She is able to collaborate with peers, parents and teachers in the home and school settings to best carry over therapeutic strategies and goals. Emily’s goal is for therapy to be like play and challenge kids to achieve their highest potential and level of independence.
Erika Blankenau, MOT, OTR/L
Dodge Clinical Director, Dodge Lead Occupational Therapist, and OT Director of Student Mentorship
Erika graduated from Rockhurst University, in Kansas City, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology before graduating with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Erika enjoys helping children and families identify their sensory processing differences to support their participation in everyday occupations. Erika uses the power of play to motivate the child and lead treatment sessions. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening and Interactive Metronome. She is also a Handwriting Without Tears Level 1 Certified Handwriting Specialist and a Basic DIR Floortime practitioner. Her goal is to help children and families to use their strengths to enhance their performance and confidence in everyday activities.
Katie Rau, OTD, OTR/L
Millard Lead Occupational Therapist
Katie graduated from Creighton University with her doctorate of Occupational Therapy. She has experience working with children of all ages and abilities. Katie has a special interest in sensory-based interventions. She enjoys helping children reach all of their goals through play.
Madisen Ramaekers, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Madisen received her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Doane University. She is a graduate of the Masters of Occupational Therapy Program from Nebraska Methodist college. During graduate school, Madisen gained experience in both acute inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient pediatrics. Madisen has experience working with children who have a variety of diagnoses such as Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD and along with children who have sensory processing disorders and behaviors. She is currently pursuing her Level I Certification for Handwriting Without Tears. Madisen enjoys developing client-specific treatment plans to help children reach their full potential.
Dhara Desai OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Dhara received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in Interdisciplinary Health & Human Services and graduated from the College of Saint Mary with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. She has had experience working in a rural setting where she was able to work with outpatient orthopedics & adults in acute care. She also gained experience working in outpatient pediatrics at Arlington Pediatric Therapy where she worked with a variety of diagnoses. Dhara is passionate about helping children and their families meet their individualized goals through play-based therapy.
Erin Ketchmark, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Erin received her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University prior to graduating from Nebraska Methodist College with her Masters in Occupational Therapy. In her graduate program, Erin gained pediatric experience within the school and outpatient settings. She additionally had the opportunity to work with infants in the NICU during her acute care rotation. Erin has always had a passion for working with children. She strives to incorporate individualized and strengths-based approaches to provide children with the confidence and skills to reach their goals.
Dmieflur Hunter, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Dmieflur received his bachelors degree from Creighton University in Exercise Science and graduated from College of Saint Mary with his Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. His fieldwork included experiences in rural inpatient and home health. He had a rotation in hand therapy where he saw a diverse population of children with sports injuries to older adults with work injuries. His doctoral capstone focused on the use of Virtual Reality to support the emotional, physical, and mental well-being of Veterans. Outside of therapy, he is actively involved in his Filipino American Culture group. He is excited to help children and their families in achieving their goals.
Bekah McLean, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Bekah received her bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Sciences at the College of Saint Mary, and then went on to graduate with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. During graduate school, she gained experience in an outpatient pediatric setting and in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Bekah loves kids and is passionate about helping them meet their goals, increase their independence, and develop their skills through play-based therapy.
Sydney Reed, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Sydney graduated from University of NE-Lincoln with a Bachelor’s in psychology. She then moved to Washington where she gained experience working with youth as a behavior technician and a preschool teacher. From this, Sydney found her passion for OT and moved back to NE to pursue her Master’s degree from Nebraska Methodist College. Sydney gained experience in outpatient pediatrics and acute care settings. She had the most fun working with life skills groups to help young adults learn household and vocational tasks while emphasizing social skills. Sydney is passionate about developing client-centered treatments that meet clients at their level. She enjoys working with children to reach their goals and foster independence in their daily lives.
Tanner Boyd, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Tanner attended the University of Nebraska Omaha, majoring in biomechanics before switching to Creighton University, where he graduated with a doctorate in occupational therapy. During his fieldwork he worked in rural communities in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. He also had a rotation in hand therapy, where he got to see a wide range of people ranging from college athletes to older community members. His doctoral capstone was completed at St Pius X/ St Leo Catholic School, where his main focus was on mental health, emotional regulation, and handwriting. Additionally, he helped as a lab assistant for the Creighton pediatric courses on campus as part of his doctoral capstone. Outside of therapy, Tanner is big sports fan and loves to watch Newcastle United as well as the Huskers. Tanner is passionate about helping children and families achieve their goals in order to increase independence and quality of life.
Physical Therapists
Jenny Lewis, PT, DPT
Millard Clinical Director and Physical Therapist
Jenny graduated Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology before receiving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Des Moines University in Des Moines, IA. She has experience in both acute care and pediatrics. Jenny has a variety of experiences in the pediatric setting including but not limited to developmental delay, autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, torticollis, and toe walking. Jenny loves making a difference in the lives of children and is dedicated to doing the most she can to help her patients and their families meet their goals.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Cassie Rose, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Cassie is a graduate from the University of NE-Lincoln with her Bachelor's Degree and received her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of NE-Kearney. Cassie's clinical experiences range from working with individuals of any age in a variety of settings including home-based, LTC, schools, outpatient clinics, acute rehab, and post-acute rehab. Her experiences include working with a variety of developmental disabilities, autism, apraxia, stroke, TBI, dementia, dysphagia, articulation, language disorders, and many more. Cassie focuses on individual needs and strived to provide positive and fun environment during sessions. Her goals include providing individuals with the tools necessary to effectively communicate in all environments and to meet hydration and nutritional needs to be successful individuals with the greatest amount of independence.
Amy Bowman, MS, CCC-SLP
Lead Speech-Language Pathologist
Amy graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas with her Bachelor’s degree in Child Professional Services and received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Dallas. Her clinical experiences include outpatient pediatrics and adults, school-based pediatrics, and pediatric home health. She has enjoyed gaining experience working with a wide variety of speech and language impairments leading to work targeting articulation, phonology, expressive and receptive language, pragmatic language, augmentative and alternative communication, and complex communication needs. Amy strives to create treatment goals and activities that allow individuals to better participate in their everyday environments by obtaining the ability to effectively interact with those around them. She loves working with children, their families, and other professionals to pursue the ideal course of therapy for each child in order to give them the best opportunity to thrive.
Leah Arney, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist and SLP Director of Student Mentorship
Leah received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders from University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Yeshiva University. Leah has a wide range of outpatient clinical experience where she gained a thorough knowledge of and exposure to working with those diagnosed with developmental delays, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, cognitive-linguistic disorders in infants, pre-school children, and school-aged children. She has a particular interest in working with children who utilize high-technology augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Leah utilizes methods from the DIRFloortime model to use the power of relationships and human connection to encourage the development of capacities for engagement, communication, and shared social problem solving through child lead play. Leah has a passion for collaborating with patients, families, and other professionals to create individualized therapy programs for each child’s unique needs.
Kate Mohr, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Kate received her bachelors and masters degrees in speech language pathology from the university of Nebraska at Kearney. She has experience working with children in the clinical and school settings and has treated children with a variety of different speech and language disorders. Her passion is working with kids on reading, articulation, and language skills and strives to make therapy fun and functional.
The best part of her job is working with children and their families and watching them succeed with their goals.
Samantha Smith, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Samantha received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Truman State University and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln . She has gotten the opportunity to serve both children and adults with a variety of diagnoses in the outpatient, long-term acute, and school settings. Samantha is passionate about helping children communicate and using child-led approaches to make her clients feel safe and comfortable in the therapy environment.
Allie Krotter M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Allie received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Missouri. Her clinical experiences include working with pediatric clients with a variety of speech and language disorders in the school and private practice settings. During her medical internship, she had the opportunity to work with infants in the NICU on feeding/swallowing as well as worked in the PCU and ICU with adult patients who required very different approaches for communication due to their cognitive levels. Allie is so
excited to be joining the Stones Worth Stepping team and to support children and their families in meeting their communication goals.
Grace Rients M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Grace received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Spanish for Professional Use from Augustana College and Masters of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Eastern Illinois University. Grace is bilingual (English/Spanish). She has experience working with pediatric clients in the home and clinic settings and is passionate about providing family-centered interventions.
McKenna Hotovy M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
McKenna graduated from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences and Special Education. She then received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She completed her beginning years of practice in Los Angeles, California, with a focus on school-based pediatrics. McKenna has a strong background in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), as well as expressive/receptive language disorders, fluency disorders, pragmatic language disorders, and speech sound disorders. McKenna recognizes the critical role that cultural and linguistic backgrounds play in shaping communication needs and strives to create culturally and linguistically appropriate assessments and interventions. With a passion for supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds, McKenna is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive environment where every individual is empowered to communicate effectively and confidently.
Administrative Team
Becky Aden, MS, BA, Ed.
Receptionist-Millard Clinic
Becky graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Rockhurst University and a Masters of Science in Curriculum Development and Instruction from Peru State College. She is a “retired” teacher who spent twenty years in the classroom teaching fourth graders. Becky is always ready to take your phone calls, answer your questions, and get you checked in for your appointments. She will do all she can to make you feel comfortable and welcome in our office! She truly enjoys greeting the patients each day!
Brenda Lee
Receptionist-Millard Clinic
In addition to Stones Worth Stepping, Brenda also works at Methodist Physicians Clinic in the corporate office as a Billing Follow-Up Representative. She spends most of her time with her sisters since she has no children (trying to redefine the word "Spinster"). Brenda loves to travel, shop, eat snacks, Jason Momoa and Bruce Lee.
Kayla Harris, BA
Receptionist-Dodge Clinic
Kayla received her Bachelor of Art in Studio Art from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her experience comes from working with children and adults at Munroe-Meyer Institute and teaching abroad. She strives to create a positive environment and welcoming atmosphere. Kayla enjoys greeting the patients to therapy each day.
Maggie Tirado
Receptionist-Dodge Clinic
Maggie has over 3 years experience working in child care and pediatric clinics. Her skill set is communicating in both English and Spanish. She enjoys talking to patients and helping get their schedules sorted for future therapies
Therapy Technicians
Stones Worth Stepping is fortunate to have multiple therapy technicians! They are here to help aid our clinics, therapists, and patients. They assist in creating the best setting possible for our patients to receive top notch therapy by maintaining a clean and supportive work environment.