Julie Melton, PT, PCS
Chief Stewardship Officer & Director of Physical Therapy
Julie has been a pediatric physical therapist for 20 years and a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy for 10 years. Her passions for working with children include, complex gait training, pediatric balance and vestibular rehabilitation, birth to 3 populations, cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions, hippotherapy and aquatic therapy. She is a huge supporter of adapted tricycles and adapted sports. She created Ballerina Dreams, an all-abilities dance class that has been enjoyed for more than 10 years in Central Texas in partnership with Joy’s School of Dance.
Julie and Charlie have 5 kids and enjoy God’s blessing of living on a farm with many pets including dogs, cats, cows, ducks, geese and lots of wild animals as well!
Two of Julie’s favorite Bible verses are:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13
All things are possible for one who believes. – Mark 9:23
(Pictured with husband Charlie and Border Collie extraordinaire, Tag)
Kaitlyn Plotsky, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Born and raised in Alabama, Kaitlyn graduated from Auburn University before obtaining her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Baylor University.
Kaitlyn has worked with orthopedic and neurological conditions. She is a certified yoga instructor and uses her background in gymnastics, tennis and yoga to combine strength and stability for her patients.
She is a proud military wife and dog mom. Outside of the clinic you’ll find her sitting on the beach, watching Auburn football, or riding the Peloton!
Remember to tell her War Eagle!
Jenna Foley, M.S.-CF
Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow
My name is Jenna Foley and I am a bilingual speech-language pathology clinical fellow in the Belton office. The heartbeat of my calling as an SLP is to provide equitable and exceptional services to Spanish-speaking individuals and families. I delight in getting to know each of my patients. What encourages them? What is hard for them? What makes them giggle? To me, everyday is an adventure! In my free time, I serve as the worship director of my church, spend time with friends, and relax with my calico kitty, Brielle.
Mi nombre es Jenna Foley y soy logopeda bilingüe en la oficina de Belton. Yo proveo una variedad amplia de servicios del habla y del lenguaje, pero el latido de mi llamada es proveer servicios equitativos y excepcionales a niños que hablan español y sus familias. Me da gozo conocer a cada de mis pacientes. ¿Qué les anima? ¿Qué les da dificultad? ¿Qué les hace reír? ¡A mi, cada día es una aventura! En mi tiempo libre, sirvo como directora de alabanza de mi iglesia, paso tiempo con amigos, y descanso con mi gatita calicó, Brielle.
Dr. Katelyn Combs PT, DPT
I earned my bachelors in Athletic Training from Wilmington College in Ohio and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Baylor University. I enjoy treating kids of all ages and abilities, but I am very passionate about helping infants reach important milestones, such as crawling and walking, as well as post-injury/return to sport rehab for older children. In my free time I enjoy traveling with my husband, hiking in Cameron Park, and redecorating my home.
Cheryl Cheeseman, Office Manager
I have lots of experience and education – first in the entertainment industry as a vocalist, actor, & model in my 20’s.
My 30’s were spent in the Radio & Television industry as News Anchor, Reporter, Production manager, Producer, and Promotions Director. Ask me about all the celebrities and famous people I’ve met in my past.
I volunteered as a member of the Junior League, served on numerous non-profits as an executive board member for the March of Dimes, American Heart Association, CASA, and Peaceable Kingdom.
For many years I was a member of the Praise & Worship team with my church. I let the young folks take over and now sit back and enjoy.
My 40’s & 50’s were spent in the education & medical industries as a teacher, Massage therapist, Childcare Executive Director, and owner & manager of a Chiropractic Clinic and Slender Lady fitness center.
I was Clinic Manager for an Autism therapy center in Harker Heights and then God led me to Hope and Believe.
At the age of 50 I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
I have two grown sons, a step son & daughter, and 3 grandsons and am married to the most wonderful man on the planet.
One of the hardest periods in my life was 2 years of caring for my mother as she struggled for every breath. Don’t smoke! She passed on February 18, 2020 on the coldest day ever recorded in the history of Central Texas.
Blessings abound helping my baby sister from care for my 90 year old Dad. I have an older brother & an older sister from England I did not meet until I was 60.
My family has been in Texas for 7 generations. I was born in El Paso and have lived most of my life right here in Central Texas. I’m a very proud born & raised Texan.
Kylie Roth CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kylie completed her Bachelor of Art in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Baylor University.
Kylie’s areas of interest are early childhood communication, neurological conditions, and genetic syndromes.
Kylie enjoys spending time with family, reading, and traveling.
Her favorite scripture is “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Isaiah 40:8
Pam Hanna, MS CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
As a resident of the Waco area since 1981, Pam received her BS degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas @ Austin and her MS degree in Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology from Baylor University. Her 30-year career as an SLP has afforded her experience with infants aged 6 weeks to adults aged 110 years. She has been a therapist in many different settings and has enjoyed additional training and experience with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Auditory Processing Disorders, Apraxia, Aphasia, TBI (traumatic brain injury), Voice Disorders and a wide range of genetic syndromes and medically-fragile children.
Pam enjoys new and challenging tasks, as well as kayaking, gardening, traveling and her mini dachshunds.
Michael Kelsey, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hi, I’m Michael Kelsey. I have been a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for over 5 years and have had the privilege of working for Hope and Believe for 4 of them.
I love working with children who have handwriting, sensory processing, and working memory difficulties. I also enjoy helping children with range of motion difficulties learn to work within their limitations and hopefully increase in range of motion.
Brittany Lagier Ms.Ed BCBA LBA, Director of Applied Behavior Analysis
Hi I am Brittany Lagier, I have been with the Hope and Believe team since 2021, currently practicing as a board certified behavior analyst and the director of the ABA program. I graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education, taught for 2 years before returning to graduate school, where I graduated from Baylor University with a MS.Ed in Educational Psychology. After graduation, I returned to the education field, until becoming an BCBA in 2020. If I am not working, I am home with my 2 children and my 2 dogs. We love playing outside, sports, and exploring new places.
I have a passion for working with individuals and being able to interact within their environment with children with behavior concerns and various disabilities from 2 years old to adults 22+.
Karen Holgund, M.S., OTR, Occupational Therapist
Karen completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Service Administration and Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy at Barry University, Miami, Florida.
Karen’s areas of interests are in sensory processing, visual-motor and visual perception, integration of retained primitive reflexes, and helping children meet their milestones due to developmental delays, Autism, and other conditions as well.
Karen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, thrifting, painting, drawing, and trying to outsmart the sneaky family cat.
Her favorite scripture is, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalms 139:14
Leah Tish, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Leah completed her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Baylor University and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Leah’s areas of interest are speech sound disorders including articulation and phonology. Leah enjoys spending time with family, golfing, puzzles, and playing with her miniature Australian Shepherd.
Her favorite scripture is, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Desarae Finck-Fugazi, Occupational Therapist, MSOT, OTR/L
Desarae earned her Bachelors of Health and Sciences in 2020 and Master of Occupational Therapy in 2021 at Dominican University of California. Desarae enjoys working with children and dabbles in neurological impairments, sensory integration, feeding, orthopedic, and genetic disorders. On Desarae’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and friends. Since Desarae is new to Texas, she loves to explore new places, hiking, watching movies, baking, reading, and exercising.
Mandie Vander Vorste
Mandie is a speech language pathologist that has been working at Hope and Believe since 2020. She graduated from Texas State University, specializing in treatment strategies for those with Autism. Mandie provides feeding therapy, articulation therapy, early language intervention, fluency treatment and more. She is PROMPT trained and is also Feed the Peds Trained as well.
Madeline Jepson, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Madeline earned her undergraduate degree from Baylor University (Sic ’em Bears!) before completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Hardin-Simmons University in 2020. Madeline joined our team in 2021 and infuses fun and encouragement into all of her sessions.
Madeline has a passion for the pediatric & adolescent population with whom she treats both orthopedic and neurological conditions. She particularly enjoys helping adolescent athletes with their return to sport rehab.
When not in the clinic, she and her husband enjoy watching & playing sports, hiking, and exploring Texas with their friends!