McKenzie earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center. While completing her degree, she participated in Kansas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND), where she gained additional education and training. She has gained professional experience in both school-based practice and pediatric/adolescent medical rehabilitation. She has worked with kids of all ages and diagnoses ranging from developmental delay to rare neurological disorders. She has expertise in treating pediatric stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, CP, and developmental disabilities. She is also passionate about supporting teens with IDD transitioning from high school, which was the focus of her doctoral capstone. Her favorite part about being an OT is using play to build a wide variety of skills and overall independence. She believes nothing beats seeing them smile when they reach their goals!
In her free time, she loves to play volleyball, visit local coffee shops, and hang out with her fiancé and two dogs!
ALYSON STEWART OTD
Alyson attended Kansas State University where she dual majored in Kinesiology and Nutrition. After undergrad, she attended Rockhurst University’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program, receiving her degree in December of 2023.
During her clinical experiences, Alyson worked with young children who have experienced trauma, impacting their development and social-emotional well-being. Alyson’s capstone experience focused on promoting and improving self-advocacy and self-determination skills in young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also facilitated group social/leisure activities for high school students and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Alyson has her Mental Health First Aid Certification and is passionate about inclusion, advocacy, and helping children reach their greatest potential. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with my clients and collaborating with caregivers/family members to provide services that meet the child’s and family’s needs.
In her free time, Alyson enjoys spending time with friends and family, spoiling her two nephews, reading, being outdoors, traveling, playing pickleball, and trying new restaurants in KC!
Josie Beckner CCC-SLP
Josie earned her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Baylor University and her Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing from the University of Kansas. During her graduate studies and since graduation she has gained experience evaluating and treating a variety of individuals including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, hearing loss, Down Syndrome, language delays, speech sound disorders, ADHD, fluency disorders, feeding difficulties, and those who use alternative forms of communication (PECS, AAC, etc.). She also has experience in the home health setting as well as working in the schools in the Kansas City area. Josie has worked with a wide population of students in Kindergarten to 8th grade. She is passionate about providing play-based and client-centered therapy to children.
Josie is originally from a small town outside of St. Louis, but Kansas City is her new home! During her free time she enjoys baking, going on walks, trying new restaurants around KC, and spending time with her fiancé.
Josie is originally from a small town outside of St. Louis, but Kansas City is her new home! During her free time she enjoys baking, going on walks, trying new restaurants around KC, and spending time with her fiancé.
Kirstin Radcliffe
Kirstin graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center with her doctorate in Occupational Therapy. During her undergraduate studies, she spent time as a program director of a respite care program that served children with disabilities and volunteered in private clinics, hospitals, and adult day programs gaining experience working with a wide range of clients from different backgrounds. During her clinical rotations and since graduation, she has been working in the schools serving students Pre-K to 12th grade with various abilities. Kirstin is looking forward to working with clients and their families to provide a holistic, play-based approach to therapy.
In her free time, Kirstin enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking her huskies for long walks, and trying new restaurants in the area.
In her free time, Kirstin enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking her huskies for long walks, and trying new restaurants in the area.
COURTNEY ROOT CCC-SLP
Courtney attended Kansas State University for undergraduate and Wichita State University for graduate school. She has worked in skilled nursing, acute care, and the school setting. Her therapeutic interests include receptive and expressive language in the area of birth to five as we see language take off and children experience the success of communication. Courtney has advanced training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing for children with apraxia.
Courtney looks forward to including families in the therapy process to assist in carry over of the skills learned in sessions. Her personal interests include roller skating, rock climbing, and paddle boarding.
Courtney looks forward to including families in the therapy process to assist in carry over of the skills learned in sessions. Her personal interests include roller skating, rock climbing, and paddle boarding.
NOELLA MAIS OTD
Pediatric and Adolescent Occupational Therapist Noella earned her Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from Baylor University. Noella has always been passionate about restoring hope and purpose through rehabilitation after recovering from her running injuries and from her dad’s recovery from cardiac arrest. Her passion for Occupational Therapy grew deeply in the special education classroom during her time as a paraprofessional. Her students will always have a special place in her heart but one student in particular who never let her disability stop her has forever changed and inspired Noella to never give up. Now, Noella strives to help all children reach their full potential no matter what the barrier or circumstances is. She is a strong advocate for children and family, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to maximize treatment sessions and promote functional activities in everyday life.
During her fieldwork rotations, Noella gained experience in home health, the school system, outpatient, and inpatient rehabilitation with adults and pediatrics. During her capstone experience she worked with high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help bridge the gap for transitional work and life skills after graduation.
Noella believes in advocacy, inclusion, fun and client centered care to help all individuals reach their full potential.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends/family and being involved in the community. She also enjoys exploring nature, playing board games, and trying new things!
During her fieldwork rotations, Noella gained experience in home health, the school system, outpatient, and inpatient rehabilitation with adults and pediatrics. During her capstone experience she worked with high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help bridge the gap for transitional work and life skills after graduation.
Noella believes in advocacy, inclusion, fun and client centered care to help all individuals reach their full potential.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends/family and being involved in the community. She also enjoys exploring nature, playing board games, and trying new things!
BRIAUNA CODA DPT
Briauna (Bri) Bearned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She was an intern at Playabilities her last semester of her undergrad and later was a tech as well. She found her passion for working with the pediatric population and in an interprofessional environment. Bri has clinical experience working with the pediatric population from her 12 week clinical rotation at a Children’s Mercy outpatient clinic. She had the opportunity to work with children aged 0-18 years old with a variety of developmental diagnoses, orthopedic conditions, Amplified Pain Syndrome, EDS, and more. She looks forward to growing her experiences and finding her areas of interest. During her time at KUMC, Bri completed training through the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program. This consisted of experiencing clinical treatment, research, interdisciplinary class discussions, community experiences, family immersion, and advocacy in the government and community. With her classmate, Anna Hegarty, they continued to develop and promote “ablefitness.org”, previously developed by Adam Schnacker and Mackenzie Moore, a website used to promote health and improve access to adaptive sports in the greater KC area.
Bri was also a swim instructor with the Sensory Enhanced Aquatics program, a swimming and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorders, and continues to sub when needed. Bri looks forward to building long term relationships with her patients and their families. She believes that family involvement in care is important and helps promote long term success.
In her free time, Bri enjoys walking her dogs, planning her wedding, playing pickle ball, playing yard games and board games with her family and friends, hosting dinner parties, playing golf with her fiancé, and cheering on the KC Chiefs and Royals and Kansas Jayhawks.
Bri was also a swim instructor with the Sensory Enhanced Aquatics program, a swimming and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorders, and continues to sub when needed. Bri looks forward to building long term relationships with her patients and their families. She believes that family involvement in care is important and helps promote long term success.
In her free time, Bri enjoys walking her dogs, planning her wedding, playing pickle ball, playing yard games and board games with her family and friends, hosting dinner parties, playing golf with her fiancé, and cheering on the KC Chiefs and Royals and Kansas Jayhawks.
KATIE HEFFERNON DPT
Katie earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Saint Mary. She attended the University of Kansas for her undergraduate degree where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Her pediatric clinical experiences consist of multiple pediatric settings including home health, early childhood intervention, and in outpatient pediatrics where she has treated a wide variety of medical conditions and levels of motor function. To further expand on her clinical knowledge, Katie has experience working with neurological injuries such as strokes, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries in adults. Katie has a strong passion for working with children of all ages and abilities. Communicating success with their families is her favorite part!
Katie was born and raised in Kansas City. Outside of the clinic, you will most likely find her cheering on her Jayhawks and Chiefs, spending time with her dogs, or baking yummy treats to share with her family and colleagues!
Katie was born and raised in Kansas City. Outside of the clinic, you will most likely find her cheering on her Jayhawks and Chiefs, spending time with her dogs, or baking yummy treats to share with her family and colleagues!
KATE KENNISON DPT
Kate is a Kansas City native who earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during her few years spent living on the east coast. Her clinical experiences at Carolina included UNC Children’s Hospital, Duke University’s outpatient pediatric clinics, and therapeutic day camps for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Kate’s capstone project explored the contribution of early mobility to infant cognitive development as well as language and social skills.
Kate and her husband moved back to Kansas City to be closer to family, where she worked in an outpatient orthopedic setting prior to joining the Playabilities team. She has experience working with pediatric neurologic, orthopedic, and developmental diagnoses as well as pediatric equipment evaluation. Kate has over 10 years of experience working with children in various capacities, and she is passionate about helping them explore and find value within their own abilities. She enjoys getting to know each child individually and partnering with families in order to tailor therapy to their unique needs and goals.
Outside of the clinic, Kate enjoys spending time with her family and yellow lab, traveling, and being outdoors.
Kate and her husband moved back to Kansas City to be closer to family, where she worked in an outpatient orthopedic setting prior to joining the Playabilities team. She has experience working with pediatric neurologic, orthopedic, and developmental diagnoses as well as pediatric equipment evaluation. Kate has over 10 years of experience working with children in various capacities, and she is passionate about helping them explore and find value within their own abilities. She enjoys getting to know each child individually and partnering with families in order to tailor therapy to their unique needs and goals.
Outside of the clinic, Kate enjoys spending time with her family and yellow lab, traveling, and being outdoors.
JENNY CHRISCO DPT
Jenny earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Rockhurst University in Kansas City in 2013. After she received her degree, she moved to St. Louis, where she worked as a pediatric physical therapist in early intervention and in a pediatric outpatient clinic. Jenny and her husband moved to Kansas City in April 2017 and she has been with the Playabilities team since summer 2017. Jenny has experience with a wide variety of diagnoses including Autism, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, hypotonia, torticollis, genetic duplications/deletions, and global developmental delay.
She specializes in infant and toddler development, but works with kids through 18 years. She enjoys working with children and helping them feel stronger and more confident in their bodies as they make progress with their gross motor skills. She focuses on integrating play into therapy. She believes that therapy continues beyond the clinic and works hard to involve the whole family, making it as functional and achievable as possible.
Outside of work, Jenny spends time with her husband, daughter and golden retriever. They enjoy traveling, taking walks, visiting family and playing outside.
She specializes in infant and toddler development, but works with kids through 18 years. She enjoys working with children and helping them feel stronger and more confident in their bodies as they make progress with their gross motor skills. She focuses on integrating play into therapy. She believes that therapy continues beyond the clinic and works hard to involve the whole family, making it as functional and achievable as possible.
Outside of work, Jenny spends time with her husband, daughter and golden retriever. They enjoy traveling, taking walks, visiting family and playing outside.