MEET

Our Team

Founders

Let us tell you a little about our story. Elizabeth is a speech language pathologist with 10 years of experience. Sara is an occupational therapist of 20+ years. Several years ago, we each dreamed of one day starting our own private practices. Shortly thereafter, we independently launched our own companies. Sara and Elizabeth have collaborated since day one, with a consistent mission of being community based while practicing and serving families with the highest quality of care to ensure growth and progress. Together, we developed procedures and established connections in the community. Throughout this time, our private practices grew, and we frequently strategized how best serve our community.

It only made sense that in April of 2022 Sara and Elizabeth merge their individual private practices to form SOAR Pediatric Therapy. We are thrilled to now be offering more encompassing, in-home and community based pediatric therapy services to our community. Today, we proudly provide pediatric Occupational, Speech, Feeding and Physical Therapy services to the Nashville community. We have enjoyed building our multi-disciplinary team, comprised of some of the most creative, skilled, and thoughtful therapists. Our SOAR team truly loves meeting, collaborating with, and serving all the families in our community.  We are glad you’re here and are excited to partner with your family!

Sara Hall, OTR/L

Sara Hall, OTR/L

Owner, Lead Occupational Therapist

Sara is an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience working with the pediatric population in a variety of different settings including homes, outpatient clinics, and in schools. She received her OT degree from the University of Kansas, and is certified with NBCOT and is licensed in the state of TN. Sara specializes in sensory processing, emotional regulation, self regulation and attention difficulties, reflex integration, and developmental delays. Her additional trainings include: STAR Institute Sensory Processing Disorder Advanced Intensive Mentorship Level 1, Astronaut Training Certified, Vital Links Quickshifts, Primitive Reflex Integration and Handwriting Without Tears. Sara enjoys gardening, spending time with family and friends, and traveling with her husband, J, and their three boys Eli, Xander and Liam.

Elizabeth Sestini, M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Elizabeth Sestini, M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Owner, Lead Speech Pathologist

Elizabeth Sestini is a speech language pathologist with 10 years of experience working with the pediatric population. Elizabeth graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with an undergraduate degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology and Loyola University with a Masters degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Elizabeth specializes in sensory feeding, childhood apraxia of speech as well as augmentative and alternative communication. Elizabeth is certified in PROMPT, SOS Approach to Feeding, Food Scientist Model, The Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP) as well as Language Acquisition Through Motor planning (LAMP). When not working, Elizabeth enjoys traveling with her husband Mark and daughters, Amelia & Ella.

Lindsey Bender, OTD, OTR/L

Lindsey Bender, OTD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Lindsey is an occupational therapist with over 9 years of experience working with the pediatric population. She received her Clinical Doctorate from Belmont University, is certified with NBCOT, and is licensed in the state of TN. Lindsey specializes in sensory processing, sensory-based feeding disorders, emotional regulation, and developmental delays. Her additional certifications include: Handwriting Without Tears, Therapeutic Listening, and Quality Behavior Solutions. She has completed a variety of additional trainings with a focus on sensory reflex integration, self-regulation skills, executive functioning skills, and pediatric feeding disorders. Lindsey enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, Kyle, and two girls, Kate and Mae. 

Katie Brooks, M.S. SLP-CCC/L

Katie Brooks, M.S. SLP-CCC/L

Speech Therapist

Katie was raised in Murfreesboro, TN and obtained her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Middle Tennessee State University. She continued with a Masters degree from the University of Memphis, where her passion for the pediatric population solidified. With experience across hospitals, schools, childcare centers, and the home environment, she has aided individuals aged 3 months to 18 years with various speech, language, feeding, and swallowing disorders. Katie received training in Modified Barium Swallow studies and has obtained an endorsement in infant mental health. Beyond work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and german shepherd. 

Justine Chowansky M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Justine Chowansky M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Speech Pathologist

Justine is a speech language pathologist with 7 years of experience working with the pediatric population. She earned her Masters degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Justine has always enjoyed working with the pediatric population and has worked with individuals ranging from 10 months to 16 years old with a variety of communication disorders. In Justine’s free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband Mike and spending time outdoors.

Sarah Duke M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Sarah Duke M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Speech Therapist

Sarah is a speech language pathologist with over 17 years of experience working with the pediatric population. Sarah graduated from the University of Tennessee with an undergraduate degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology and the University of Memphis with a master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Sarah has developed clinical specialties in hearing loss, feeding, augmentative and alternative communication, traumatic brain injury, preschool and school age language disorders. When not working, Sarah enjoys traveling with her husband Brent, cooking, reading, and spending time with family and their adorable beagle, Birdie.

Ellen Fournier, OTR/L

Ellen Fournier, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Ellen is an occupational therapist with over 15 years experience with pediatrics. She completed the Clinical Doctorate Program in Occupational Therapy at Belmont University. Ellen is NBCOT certified and licensed in the state of TN. Ellen specializes in sensory processing, self-regulation, social emotional skills, mindfulness, and executive functioning skills. Ellen’s additional certifications and trainings include: STAR Institute Sensory Processing Disorder Advanced Intensive Mentorship Level, iLS (Integrated Learning Systems) Safe & Sound and Focus Systems, Learning/Handwriting Without Tears, as well as 200-hour yoga teacher training, 20-hour training for yoga and children. Ellen is married to Tyron and has 2 step-daughters, Amelia and Ruby. When not working, Ellen enjoys spending time outdoors, as well as, resting and relaxing with her family and dogs. 

Kim Grant, OTR/L

Kim Grant, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Kim is an occupational therapist with over 10 years experience working in pediatrics. She earned her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Kansas, and is certified with NBCOT and is licensed in the state of TN. Kim specializes in sensory processing, developmental delays, visual impairments, and sensory-based feeding disorders. Her additional trainings include: Astronaut Training Certified, SOS Approach to Feeding, Handwriting Without Tears, and Size Matters Handwriting. Kim is married to Jason and together have 3 children. She loves to travel, hike, host family and friends, and attend all the fun activities her kids are involved in. 

Lacey Horwitz M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Lacey Horwitz M.S. CCC-SLP/L

Speech Therapist

Lacey is a speech and language pathologist with 16 years of experience working with the pediatric population. Lacey graduated from Miami of Ohio with an undergraduate degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology and from Ohio University with a Masters degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She completed her Master’s Thesis in the area of AAC and has extensive training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) including specific training in: LAMP Words for Life, Tobii Dynavox devices, PRC, Forbes and Saltillo devices, switch scanning and several other AAC methods. Additional trainings for Childhood Apraxia of Speech and other motor planning disorders include the PROMPT technique, ReST, DTTC and the Kaufman approach. Lacey works with children with pragmatic language disorders (social skills deficits), CAPD, articulation and phonological disorders, pragmatic language disorders, motor speech disorders, and developmental disorders. Additionally, Lacey runs several groups, classes and camps. When not working, she enjoys spending time at home with her husband, two children, and dog. 

Katee Letke, M.S. CCC-SLP

Katee Letke, M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech Pathologist

Katee graduated from the University of Tennessee with her B.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology and continued with her Masters degree at Samford University. She’s always had a strong interest in working with the pediatric population and has been fortunate enough to work in schools, private practices, and home settings. She’s treated individuals ranging from 18 months to 18 years old with a variety of communication disorders. Katee is trained in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) and specializes in childhood apraxia of speech, developmental delays, fluency, articulation and phonological disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Katee loves to travel with her husband Matt and her favorite hobby is trying new recipes.

Keely White, M.S., OTR/L, CTRS

Keely White, M.S., OTR/L, CTRS

Occupational Therapist

Keely White is an occupational therapist with 6+ year experience working with the pediatric population. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Milligan College and her Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is NBCOT certified and licensed in the state of TN. Keely specializes in sensory processing, sensory-based feeding disorders, emotional regulation, and developmental delays. Her additional certifications include: SOS Approach to Feeding, and iLS (Integrated Listening Systems). Keely and her husband, Tyler, are Franklin natives and enjoy traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Katie Underwood, OTR/L

Katie Underwood, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Katie is an occupational therapist who graduated from the University of Tennessee with her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation and continued to receive her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Tennessee State University. Katie has always had a passion for working with children and has experience working with individuals ranging from 11 months to 15 years old specializing in sensory processing, emotional regulation, handwriting, executive functioning, and developmental delays. Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, Joseph and their golden retriever, Ralph and trying out new restaurants.

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