Meet the Therapists
Julie Bemus Ortiz, M.S., CCC-SLP/Director
Julie Bemus Ortiz, M.S., CCC/SLP received a Master's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. Julie has an established background in autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, non-verbal children, sign language, communication and literacy with assistive technology, and specific language based learning disabilities. Julie is a Hanen certified speech-language pathologist with emphasis on early intervention parent training (It Takes Two To Talk) and autism spectrum disorders (More Than Words). Julie is also certified by Lindamood to teach the LIPs program for reading, spelling and speech. Julie has provided services in acute medical care settings, preschools, public schools and private clinic. Julie has been the owner and director of Advanced Pediatric Therapies, LLC since 2003 and is passionate about a family centered clinic with naturalistic learning opportunities for children of all ages, developmental levels and communicative needs.
Meghan Sullivan, M.S., CCC-SLP
Meghan received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno. Meghan has worked in Nevada and Arizona over the past several years. She has provided services in early childhood settings, elementary through high school settings and acute medical settings. Meghan has additional experience working with at risk populations and SASI-AR (Students Assisting Students in Aural Rehabilitation). Meghan has a passion for volunteer work with the Sierra Regional Center, YMCA Healthy Kids, and assisted living centers. Meghan brings out joy and laughter in every child by showing them success through their strengths. Meghan is dedicated to enhancing pediatric therapy through naturalistic treatment, parent interactions and social reinforcement.
Maria Ramiro, M.S., CCC-SLP
Maria was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States in 2001. Maria received her Bachelor's degree and Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has a varied background of providing services in private clinic, elementary, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing settings. Maria is fluent in both Filipino and English. Maria is passionate about childhood communication and language learning disabilities.
Jessica Stewart, CCC-SLP
Jessica began her college career at the University of California, Davis, where she played basketball. She transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno where she received her Bachelor’s in science, her major being biology and her minor being psychology. She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Nevada, Reno. Jessica wrote a thesis on the diagnosis of autism and is extremely passionate about working with this population. Jessica also has experience with the use of various communication aids (PECS , DynaVox, communication books, etc), Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, other pervasive developmental disorders, and speech language impairments.
Kelly Galvan, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kelly received her Bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from Northern Arizona University. Upon receiving her BS degree, Kelly worked as a speech therapy aide for a private pediatric practice in southern California, which is where she is originally from. Kelly then fulfilled her Master level educational & clinical requirements in the field of Speech Pathology at University of Nevada, Reno graduating in 2000. Kelly has since then been living in the Reno/Tahoe area. She enjoys the challenges and rewards of treating speech-language delayed and non-verbal children. She also is passionate about educating parents and helping families understand their child’s communicative needs. Her hobbies outside of work include: skiing, running, scrap booking, and enjoying family time.
Libby Brown, PT, Med.
Libby graduated from Cumberland College of Health Sciences in 1985 with a Bachelor's degree of Applied Science Physiotherapy and completed her Master's degree in Education in 1991. Libby has worked in a variety of settings, including acute inpatient neurology and in the NICU, home health care, and home and clinic based early intervention services. Libby has also taught undergraduate students, both in the university and clinical setting in which specialize in neurology and pediatrics. Libby has continually worked closely in pediatrics since 1997, specializing in the 0-3 population. Libby completed the VIISA training (Vision Impaired In Service in America) through the University of Utah in 2008. Libby takes special interest in working with vision impairment, striving to help ALL children reach their full potential.
Lesley Marcacci, DPT
Lesley Marcacci has a background in biology and exercise science from The College of Idaho as well as a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University. Lesley has experience in working with kids with congenital and traumatic limb loss, as well as sesnory integration disorder. She is very passionate about working with the birth-3 population, but enjoys working with kids of all ages and abilities. Lesley has also been involved in hippotherapy for children and has coached women's lacrosse at both the highschool and college levels. As a born and raised Tahoe local, you will probably find Lesley skiing the slopes on the weekends.
Karen Martin, Developmental Specialist/Supervisor
Karen received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special education and a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Kansas. She also has her Early Childhood Special Education certification and extensive training in the area of Autism Spectrum disorders. Karen has a varied background working from birth through elementary aged children with a wide range of disabilities. She has coordinated a parent child fee based program, served as a transition facilitator for children 3-5 with developmental delays, and served as a parent facilitator for Early childhood Special Education program in St. Louis Missouri. Prior to that, she taught Kindergarten, Early Childhood Special Education, Multiply Handicapped and Deaf/Blind children in the Kansas City area. Karen is passionate and dedicated in working with families of young children and supporting them as they transition to the school setting.
Lisa Flores, Developmental Specialist
Lisa has a background in Child Development with a Master of Arts degree in Education. Lisa has a variety of experience working with children birth to eight in respite care and school environments. Lisa is passionate about parent education and training. Lisa believes it truly takes a village to raise a child and embraces a team approach to help all children achieve.
Shannon McCreary, Developmental Specialist
Shannon graduated from the University of Nevada Reno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies and is in the process of getting her Masters of Education degree in Early Childhood Special Education. She has worked with children and families in a variety of settings, including home visitation, early childhood education and early childhood day treatment. She believes that every child can and will teach her something new!
Jenna Stewart, Developmental Specialist
Jenna graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Child and Family Development and a Minor in Recreation. She has over 10 years’ experience working with children ages 0 to 13, but has become very passionate about working with the 0-3 population. Jenna has worked with families and their children in multiple settings, including outdoor camps on the San Diego Bay, preschools, home visitation, and in a Therapeutic Learning Center. She wants to assist families and their children in achieving their full potential, as well as improving their quality of life. Jenna is a very compassionate and dedicated individual who loves working with children in any capacity and is happy to be doing so in her home town of Reno.
Jolyn Wirshing, Registered Dietitian
Jolyn received her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and her Master’s degree in Public Health, both from the University of Nevada, Reno. She finished her Dietetic Internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to become a Registered Dietitian. She has provided nutrition services in a variety of settings, including hospitals, home health care, the University of Nevada School of Medicine, and skilled nursing facilities. She was nominated as the Nevada Dietetic Association Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year in 2006. She enjoys educating families on nutrition and helping children improve their nutrition and meet their dietary needs.
Colleen Baker, Office and Billing Manager
Colleen joined the APT team during the summer of 2009. She has over 32 years of experience in the medical field as a dental assistant and a dental office manager. Colleen does an exceptional job at scheduling, new patient authorization, insurance claims and staff coordination! Colleen enjoys greeting all of the children and their families as they enter the clinic each day! Outside of work, Colleen enjoys spending all of her time with her family. During the Fall, you will be sure to see Colleen cheering at all of the Nevada football games. Go Pack!
Susan Bemus, Part C Manager
Susan has been working with Advanced Pediatric Therapies since the day we opened our doors! With over 35 years of experience in the medical office managing field she keeps us organized! Susan is in charge of payroll, account receivable and eligiblity and scheduling for our birth to three program. When Susan is not at work she is busy playing with her grandchildren, fishing at her cabin and gardening in her yard!