Lauren Armstrong, OT cares for children of all ages, specializing in feeding and sensory issues. Most of her patients are young (from infants to early elementary age) and include picky eaters and patients with sensory challenges involving touch, texture, and/or smell. She frequently works with patients who have autism or ADHD. 

Lauren loves empowering kids and their families, and helping them build confidence through routines and behaviors that reinforce the child's physical, emotional and social development. 

Beyond direct patient care, Lauren is working on improving developmental evaluation for younger patients (ages 1-3) to assist in therapy planning. She is also passionate about educating parents on typical/atypical development to help manage expectations and effectively identify areas of concern.

Lauren earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Sonoma State University and a master's degree in occupational therapy from Dominican University. Originally from California, Lauren enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, and traveling in her free time.

Stephanie Balais, MS, CCC-SLP works with children who have cleft lip and palates, velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), and resonance issues. She also has interests in early intervention, fluency issues, Down syndrome, autism, and ADHD assessment and treatment for children with executive function deficits. 

Stephanie earned her master's degree from Idaho State University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, camping, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family.

Favorite Book: School Bugs by David Carter.

Kimberly DeGraw, MS, CCC-SLP has a passion for working with children of all ages and abilities and has experience in both medically based pediatric clinic and school settings. While she enjoys facilitating and supporting all communication needs, she has a special interest in treating speech sound disorders, fluency included.

Kimberly earned her bachelor's degree in English, emphasis in linguistics at Boise State University, and a minor in Spanish at the University of Alicante in Spain. She completed her speech language pathology leveling coursework at Idaho State University, and earned her master’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University. 

Kimberly’s interests include spending time with her husband and their son, traveling, and spending time outdoors.   

Favorite Therapy Toy: Learning Resource Surprise Boxes

Kenzie Falck, OTR/L loves working with children of all ages and is passionate about helping families feel empowered to help their children achieve successful feeding development. She possesses advanced training in feeding therapy.

Kenzie earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Western Oregon University, and her master's degree in occupational therapy degree from the University of Utah. In her free time, Kenzie’s interests include spending time with her husband and daughter, cooking and baking, and interior design. 

Favorite Book or Therapy Toy: peanut ball, squigs

Amy Hardy, MS, CCC-SLP focuses her clinical skills on early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric feeding issues, dysphagia, as well as speech and language disorders across the lifespan. She enjoys the work of early intervention, the power of functional communication, and the value of a family-centered approach.

Amy has also worked as an instructor at Idaho State University, helping students become clinical scientists and encouraging them to think about how they will use their graduate experiences to make an impact.

Amy earned her master's degree from Northern Arizona University. During her free time, her interests include paddleboarding, drawing, and reading.

Favorite Book: Yummy Yucky By: Leslie Patricelli

Jennifer Hietala, MS, CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech-language pathologist specializing in feeding, lactation, and swallowing disorders. Her certifications include VitalStim®, Beckman Oral Motor, and the SOS Approach to Feeding. Jennifer uses a holistic and multidisciplinary approach in working with each patient and family. She prioritizes keeping feeding safe and positive as patients and families move through therapies.  

Jennifer earned a bachelor's degree in health science studies from Boise State University where she was also a member of the Broncos' NCAA Division I women’s golf team. She earned a master's degree in speech-language pathology from Idaho State University.

Jennifer holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She was a significant contributor in developing St. Luke’s Children’s outpatient feeding program.   

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two daughters. 

Anne Kuhlmeier, MA, CCC/SLP, ATP is an expert in augmentative alternative communication (AAC) and works closely with pediatric and adult patients and their families to develop the best communication system for their unique needs. She serves as the assistive technology program coordinator for St. Luke's and has extensive experience with both low- and high-tech AAC systems.

Anne's patients are complex communicators (often non-speakers) with a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to autism, cerebral palsy, ALS, syndromes, and genetic disorders. They may also have experienced a stroke or other trauma. Anne's goals are to improve her patients' quality of life and communication skills, and support them in becoming more independent.

Anne is passionate about assistive technology and educating colleagues, often serving as a mentor for other speech-language pathologists throughout Idaho. She also offers continuing education on assistive technology through the Idaho Training Clearinghouse, an initiative of the University of Idaho's Center on Disabilities and Human Development.

Anne earned her master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado; obtained her clinical competency certification in speech/language pathology, assistive technology professional certification from RESNA; and completed specialized training from CASANA on childhood apraxia of speech.

In her free time, Anne enjoys skiing, hiking, sewing, and cooking.

Brittany Mannie, MS CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist who specializes in treating pediatric patients with feeding difficulties, including picky eating, difficulty transitioning to solids, poor chewing patterns, and limited intake of liquids by mouth. She uses a play-based therapy approach and works to support all children and family members during each therapy session. She believes that a child’s family and caregivers play a pivotal role in childhood development, and she aims to educate, encourage, and involve them throughout the therapy process.

Brittany earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and her master's degree in communication sciences and disorders from Idaho State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and water activities.

Lynze Robison, MOTR/L uses a team-based approach and enjoys working closely with families to establish a firm foundation of skills that their kids can use throughout their lives. She has experience with various populations and settings such upper extremity dysfunctions in outpatient orthopedics, early intervention in home health, as well as a wide variety of diagnosis in outpatient pediatrics.

Lynze earned her master’s degree from the accelerated program offered at Idaho State University. In her free time, she can be found lifting weights at the gym, enjoying nature on hikes, spending time with friends, or visiting her family.  

Favorite Therapy Toy: Hammock swing 

Cortney Slette, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in treating children and young adults with feeding difficulties, including dysphagia, poor feeding, poor weight gain, picky eating, difficulty transitioning to solids, poor chewing, and support with supplemental feeding tubes. She holds a special certification in the Beckman Oral Motor Feeding Protocol. Additionally, Cortney enjoys treating children with language delays.

Cortney believes in a play-based approach to therapy, as children are more likely to learn when they’re engaged and having fun. She uses a holistic approach in order to foster a positive learning environment and develop a meaningful relationship with children and their families.  

Cortney earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, and her master’s degree from the University of Memphis. In her free time, Cortney enjoys visiting locally owned restaurants, spending time with friends and family, exploring the outdoors, and playing with her golden retriever.

Rachel Strauss, MOT, OTR/L loves working with children of all ages and has special interest in working with neurological diagnoses, oculomotor and visual perceptual skills, autism and feeding. She enjoys using a play-based approach and working closely with the family to help the child reach their goals.

Rachel earned her master’s degree of occupational therapy at the University of Mary. She grew up in Montana and has called Idaho home for several years, and in her free time, loves to explore the outdoors and spend time with her husband, friends, and family.  

Favorite Therapy Toy: Scooter Board

Kelsey Walters, PT, DPT enjoys working with children of all ages and with a wide variety of diagnoses, including children with orthopedic, neurologic, motor, developmental, genetic, cognitive, and behavioral needs.

Kelsey earned her bachelors degree in kinesiology with a minor in classics at the University of Southern California. She continued her education at USC, earning her doctorate of physical therapy. In her free time she loves going on walks with her dog and spending time with friends and family.

Favorite Therapy Toy: Piggy bank and coins.

Allison Wolfe, DPT enjoys working with children of all ages in the medical setting. She has experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses including orthopedic, neurologic, motor, developmental, genetic, cognitive, and behavioral needs.

Allison earned her bachelor's degree in molecular biology at Eastern Oregon University, and her doctorate of physical therapy from College of St. Scholastica. Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Allison worked as a children’s horse-riding instructor and horse trainer for 10 years.

In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and friends, riding and exploring with her horse (named Whatnot), spending time with her cat Archie, and reading books. 

Favorite Therapy Toy: Bean bag turtles