Dawn Darby, MPA; Co-Founder and Executive Director 
Dawn holds a Masters of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina, with an emphasis in Non-Profits and Grants and a bachelors in media arts, also from USC. She has work experience as the Grants Manager of Richland County, Ready to Learn Coordinator for SC Educational Television, and also served as a Grants Writer/Special Events Coordinator for the Indian Waters Council/Boy Scouts of America. Dawn lives in Forest Acres with her husband, James, their daughter, Laura, a freshman at AC Flora, and their dog Sophie. Their son, Cooper, is a freshman on campus at UofSC. Dawn enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and keeping up with her kids.
Teresa Fleming, Billing Manager
Teresa comes to us with over 30 years of billing and medical clinic experience. Teresa lives in Gilbert with her husband Eric, their daughters Marisa & Eliana, their spoiled black lab Penny, and 5 bunnies. In her free time, Teresa enjoys spending time with her family, music, reading, hula hooping, and gardening.
Dr. Tessa Gonzalez, Medical Director
Dr. Gonzalez completed her undergraduate degree in Anthropology at Harvard University and her medical degree at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Following med school she returned to Columbia to complete her residency in pediatrics at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. Since completing her residency she has worked in general pediatrics where she enjoys watching kids grow and develop. Dr. Gonzalez lives in NE Columbia with her husband and kids, including her daughter, Ana Sofia, who is a TTP and Bridges all-star! Tessa and her family enjoy going to Soda City on weekends for pupusas and the zoo to feed the giraffes!
Brooke Grosh, Office Coordinator
Brooke comes to us from Good Shepherd Day School where she has spent the last 10 years being a smiling face and caring for children and their families. Brooke lives in Columbia with her three children, Alyia, Aubrey, and Bently, and their dog Sofie. In her free time, Brooke enjoys camping, baking, and reading. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends. Brooke’s favorite color is yellow and she has a sunny disposition to match it.
Chanele Osborne, Business Manager
Chanele is a prior service Army branch New York native. She comes to us with over 10 years experience in Human Services, Operations and Business Management. She has recently moved to Chapin from the big apple with her wife Cheryl, their 8-year-old son Michael and their pet turtle Beasty. Chanele enjoys catering and cooking for her family and friends and LOVES Harry Potter!
Willie Tanner, Marketing
Willie comes to us from a background in marketing and graphic design operating his company Grey’s Graphics for over 18 years. He also has over 7 years of experience with iHeartMedia where he was responsible for website and social media management for over 25 radio stations. Willie lives in Columbia with his wife Morgan and their two dogs, Precious and Cosmo. In his spare time he enjoys working out and Gamecock Football and Basketball.
Melissa Wofford, Family Services Coordinator
Melissa graduated from Columbia International University with a degree in TEFL. She spent three years teaching at a bilingual elementary school in Taiwan. Upon her return to the states she has worked over the years as a teacher in various schools in Columbia and Charleston. She is a Parent to Parent mentor with Family Connection, and has over 45 hours of training in working with special needs families. Melissa and her husband, Rufus, have four children (Wyatt, Wesley, Vivian, and Warren), 2 dogs, and 13 ducks. In her free time Melissa enjoys reading, DIYs, and camping.
PEDIATRIC THERAPISTS
Jackie Buckland, MSP, CCC/SLP; Speech-Language Pathologist
Jackie graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and received a Master’s of Speech Pathology from the University of South Carolina in 2015. She gained clinical experience at The Therapy Place while earning her Master’s degree. Jackie (Griffo) Buckland is married to Justin Buckland and they recently had a daughter, Charlotte, in December 2021. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys traveling, kayaking, and reading.
Heather Boatwright, MS, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Heather graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and received a Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2020. Prior to her start in occupational therapy she was a part of the Bridges Preschool Program and is excited to return and serve in a different role. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, and exploring old and new attractions across the nation.
Savannah Houck, DPT – Physical Therapist/Lead PT
Savannah Houck graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Georgia Southern University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She has received training and continuing education on the TheraSuit and the TheraSuit Method of intensive physical therapy. She enjoys exercising, reading, and exploring new cities with her friends and family!
Erin Maltba, MS, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist & Therapy Director
Erin graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Exercise Science. She attended the Medical University of South Carolina to receive her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Erin lives in Columbia with her husband Dennis, daughter Quinn, son Crawford, and German Shepherds Beau and Mack. She has been a pediatric Occupational Therapist since 2005 and has received training and continuing education including infant/child feeding, SOS feeding approach, NDT for infant/toddler, Kinesiotaping, and Interactive Metronome. In her spare time, Erin enjoys hanging out with family and friends, hiking, and traveling.
Mandy Martin, MSR, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Mandy graduated from Presbyterian College with her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. Mandy has been a pediatric occupational therapist since 2009 and loves working with children and their families. She and her husband Brad have a daughter, Caroline, and son, Henry. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and cheering on the Gamecocks!
Haylee McGregor, COTA/L – Certified/Licensed Occupational Therapist
Haylee is from Columbia and graduated from The University of South Carolina Upstate with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications in 2014. She then decided to go back to school for Occupational Therapy because she loves to help others help themselves and reach new goals! Haylee enjoys exercising, traveling, and hanging out with her friends and family!
Kelly Price, PTA – Physical Therapy Assistant
Kelly recently moved down to Columbia from Richmond, VA. She graduated from James Madison University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Exercise Science. She then decided to go back to school to pursue Physical Therapy and became a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. She loves her job because the kids keep her on her toes making every day different and full of surprises.
Ashley Surratt, MA, CCC-SLP; Speech-Language Pathologist
Ashley graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and received a Master’s in Speech Pathology & Audiology from South Carolina State University in 2012. Prior to beginning her career at The Therapy Place, Ashley was a part of the Bridges Preschool Program. Ashley is married to her new husband, Tyler. She and Tyler both enjoy spoiling their four-legged fur baby, Mae, and spending time doing yard work.
Tessa Trail, DPT – Physical Therapist
Tessa is from Lexington, SC and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2021 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She loves working with kids and making treatments fun for everyone! In her spare time, she loves to hang out with her friends and her cat, Myla. She also enjoys to exercise and try new places!
Katie Van Gurp, MS, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Leah Ziegler, MSP, CCC-SLP; Speech-Language Pathologist/Lead Speech Therapist
Leah is a South Carolina native with eleven years of pediatric speech therapy experience. She graduated from Clemson University with her Bachelor’s of Art in Communication Studies. After working in the non-profit sector for a few years, Leah returned to school and graduated with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from USC. Leah resides in the Midlands with her husband Jon, two daughters, and her rescue dog Otto. She has received training and continuing education in childhood Apraxia of Speech, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), LAMP, pediatric feeding, PROMPT, and TOTS (tethered oral tissues).
BRIDGES THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL STAFF
Lindsey Duerr, Bridges Director/Co-Teacher
Lindsey graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a minor in Service Learning. She holds a teaching license in special education and brings 4 years of experience teaching in the public school system. Lindsey lives in Columbia with her husband, Stephen, daughter Madison, and their dogs, Leia and Luke. She loves to travel and visit new cities with her family and friends.
Morgan Tanner, Bridges Assistant Director/Co-Teacher
Morgan graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and a minor in Psychology. She holds a teaching license in elementary education and brings 5 years of teaching experience in public school. Morgan is recently married to her husband, Willie, and they have two dogs, Precious and Cosmo. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, hanging out with friends, and playing with the dogs.
Hannah Magee, Bridges Aide
Jenny Salinas, Bridges Aide
Jenny is from Greenville, SC and is a senior at the University of South Carolina obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. She is interested in a career in occupational therapy and has always enjoyed working with children. She hopes to make a positive influence in every child’s life, no matter how large or small. She also enjoys cooking, spending time with family and traveling around with friends.
Alycia Sansbury, Bridges Aide
Alycia is from Florence, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and is currently attending South Carolina State University obtaining her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Alycia has always loved working with children and hopes to make an impact in their lives in her future career as a SLP. Her favorite hobbies include traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Vivica Stocker, Bridges Aide
Sarah, Bridges Aide
Kristen, Bridges Aide
Gabby, Bridges Aide
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