Speech Language Pathologist - The Pediatric Place, LLC

Meet our staff

Speech-Language Pathologists

Carmen Rathert, M.S. CCC-SLP, COM®, Co-Owner

Carmen was honored to receive her first job with the Warrensburg Public School District as Speech-Language Pathologist for the Early Childhood Special Education Program. Carmen worked closely with students, parents, teachers, and therapists over the next six years assessing and treating a variety of speech and language disorders, developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans, and learning how to manage student behaviors. It was here that she developed her passion for working with this population. Carmen left the Warrensburg Public Schools in search of part-time employment due to the birth of her first son, Nolan. Carmen accepted a part-time position with Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, Missouri, as a pediatric outpatient Speech-Language Pathologist. Carmen immensely enjoyed working one-on-one with pediatric patients and their families and quickly saw the importance and effectiveness of parental involvement within the treatment setting as well as in the home environment. In 2012, Carmen and her husband were delighted to find out they were expecting identical twin boys; however, at 20 weeks, they discovered their boys were suffering from Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). (www.tttsfoundation.org) Tyson and Carmen lost their son, Luke, due to the disease that April. Carmen was monitored closely at the University of Kansas Hospital and welcomed the birth of their son, Lane, at 32.6 weeks. Lane spent 9 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Carmen gained a lot of perspective through this experience about pediatric feeding and swallowing and the emotional roller-coaster of having a child in the NICU. Lane received occupation and physical therapy through the Missouri First Steps program from the first 6 months he was home. The family was responsible for following through with Lane's home programming. Carmen continued at Western Missouri Medial Center for three years before returning to the public school system. In 2014, Carmen and her family moved to her home town of Clinton, Missouri. She became the Speech-Language Pathologist for the Early Childhood Program and served for one year before opening her private practice. Carmen immensely enjoyed working one-on-one with pediatric patients and their families and quickly saw the importance and effectiveness of parental involvement within the treatment setting as well as in the home environment. Carmen has a strong clinical background in early childhood speech and language development which includes phonological processing disorders, articulation, childhood apraxia of speech, receptive language and auditory comprehension and memory, expressive language, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She enjoys challenging patients and loves working with families. Carmen never stops learning and is always looking for new tools/strategies for her therapy toolbox. Carmen has completed her certification in Orofacial Myology (COM) through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) in March of 2019.

Amanda Littrell, M.S. CCC-SLP, Clinical Manager (Clinton Location)

Amanda began her career working for the Warrensburg School District in 2012 as an early childhood speech language pathologist. While working there, she evaluated, treated, and provided materials to children 3-5 years old with a wide range of diagnoses. She was blessed to have the opportunity to collaborate with a wonderful team of teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and an educational interpreter, which allowed her to implement various modes of communication for her students to include assistive technology devices, pictures exchange systems, and sign language. While she loved working for the school district, Amanda found herself looking for part-time work following the birth of her son. She was soon blessed with the opportunity to work part-time for Carmen at Chatterbox Speech Therapy, LLC in April of 2016. Amanda has enjoyed the challenge of expanding her repertoire from only serving early childhood to serving children from birth to 18 years old. She enjoys learning and tailoring new techniques and strategies to meet the individual needs of her clients. Amanda is pursuing certification in Orofacial Myology (COM). Amanda also specializes in infant feeding and infant suck retraining.

Jami Voelmeck, M.S. CCC-SLP

Upon graduating from college Jami began her career working in the rehabilitation field working for rehabilitation therapy companies for two years in the hospitals and nursing homes. Jami loved performing video swallows and working with diet changes for patients that had suffered strokes. Upon returning to Clinton Jami was blessed to interview for a position in the Clinton School District where she had grown up and attended school. Jami has now been working for the Clinton School District for 20 years. She has had the privilege of working with students aged preschool through high school. Jami currently works at the intermediate school and works with students in grades 3-5. Her students have a wide range of diagnoses that she learns from everyday. She has had the privilege and opportunity to work with students that have been diagnosed with Autism, ADD, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, and Retts Syndrome. She works with students that have been identified with speech and/or language deficits, as well as, some augmentative communication devices. Jami had the opportunity to work part-time for Carmen Rathert at Chatterbox Speech Therapy , LLC in November of 2018. This has been a wonderful experience to widen her scope of practice and learn the differences between private practice and educational speech therapy services.

Kim Shields, M.S. CCC-SLP

Kim earned a Bachelors in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a minor in Early Childhood Education from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri). Following graduation, she earned her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from CMSU. Kim began her career at the Clay County Health Department in Liberty, Missouri, providing speech and language services to children and adults with various cognitive-communicative disorders. Although she enjoyed working at the health department, she knew her passion was in the school setting. She spent 29 years in the public-school system, 25 of which were with the Clinton School District (CSD). Kim’s 29 years in public education were spent with early childhood and early elementary students and included a variety of diagnoses, including articulation and phonology, language disorders, social communication, autism spectrum disorders, fluency, and chromosomal anomalies. Kim worked collaboratively with parents, teachers, and colleagues to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders in children. She also provided training and education to families and caregivers to promote generalization and carryover into natural settings. Kim also had the privilege to supervise several speech-language pathology practicum students from UCM. During her tenure in the CSD, Kim was honored to be recognized by her peers and community by receiving Optimist Educator of the Year, CSD Educator of the Year, Outstanding Service Award, and CSD PTO Kindness Award. Although Kim retired from the CSD in 2019, she wasn’t ready to give up her love of providing support to children and their families. She began working at The Pediatric Place to provide speech and language services to students in rural schools. Kim has been trained in the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education’s Orton-Gillingham literacy and dyslexia treatment program, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), Orofacial Myology, and regularly attends continuing education conferences to remain current in the ever-changing field of speech pathology. As a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist for 34 years, Kim firmly believes communication is the golden thread that runs through everything!

Lauren O'Hare, M.S. CCC-SLP, Clinical Manager (Knob Noster Location)

Lauren is a certified, speech-language pathologist with a passion for working with the pediatric population. She currently works with patients in their homes and through the school setting. She enjoys working closely with students, parents, and a variety of therapists and professionals dedicated to supporting the development of children with a variety of diagnoses. She recently earned her Master’s in Communication Disorders in December of 2018 and continues to work with Chatterbox to provide speech and language therapy to students at Knob Noster Middle and High School. Lauren has been trained in the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education’s Orton-Gillingham literacy and dyslexia treatment program as well as orofacial myology. She loves researching and finding new ways to provide successful and evidence-based treatment to her clients. Lauren is excited to continuing learning about AAC, orofacial myology and dyslexia. Lauren also serves as our School Services Liaison, and coordinates with each district for ST, OT, and PT school-based services.

Janet Coffman, M.S. CCC-SLP

Janet is a certified, speech-language pathologist with 40 years experience working with children and adults throughout her career. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology from UCM (formerly CMSU) and began providing services in the schools in 1981. She worked in several school districts, including Holden, Knob Noster and Warrensburg and retired from the public school system in 2013. During the years she also provided services for First Steps, Home Health, and at Skilled Nursing Facilities, plus several supervisory positions. Most recently, she worked part-time at Western MO Medical Center, in outpatient pediatric rehab services. After retiring again, she took several months off and realized she missed it! She contacted The Pediatric Place and was offered this rewarding career opportunity to jump back into a part time position! She's BACK and we are so excited to have her and all of her wonderful experience!! She has been married for 36 years to Charlie and they have 2 amazing adult children, Kelli and Chas, an award winning cat “Chunk” & Florabama dog, Riley.

Holli Meuschke, M.S. CCC-SLP, Lead Therapist

Holli is a retired United States Air Force Chaplain Corps sergeant. She is working on her second career as a certified, speech-language pathologist with a passion for working with the pediatric population. She recently earned her Master’s in Communication Disorders in December of 2019. She currently works outpatient services in our Clinton location. She enjoys working closely with students, parents, and a variety of therapists and professionals dedicated to supporting the development of children with a variety of diagnoses. Holli has been trained in the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education’s Orton-Gillingham literacy and dyslexia treatment program as well as orofacial myology. She loves researching and finding new ways to provide successful and evidence-based treatment to her clients. Holli’s plan is to focus on developing advanced skills for working with medically complex patients as well as professional presentation, leadership, and clinical teaching skills. Holli is married to novelist and podcaster Jason A. Meuschke and they share 4 children and 6 grandchildren together.

MacKenzie Bair, M.S. CCC-SLP, Lead Therapist

MacKenzie graduated from Missouri State University, in Springfield, MO in 2019 where she received her Bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. While completing her undergraduate degree, she was presented with the unique opportunity, providing in-home care for a family of a child who used an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device full time. During her time with this family, MacKenzie grew a passion and love for AAC, realizing the impact these devices can have not only on their users, but their friends and family as well. This built a foundation for her professional career, allowing her to develop the necessary skills to work closely with family members. In 2021, MacKenzie graduated with her Master’s degree in communication disorders from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO. Her studies not only grew her love for AAC users, but the pediatric population as well. When her husband received a job offer in Warrensburg, she quickly took the opportunity to apply at the Pediatric Place, having been familiar with their facility during her graduate education. She quickly fell in love with their warm, supportive environment and the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of professionals all under one roof. MacKenzie been trained in the IMSE Orton-Gillingham literacy and dyslexia treatment program, Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) methodology, and Orofacial Myology. She particularly enjoys working with pediatric language delays and disorders, phonological disorders, literacy and dyslexia, and AAC users and is excited to continue growing her passion for working with the pediatric population.

Diane Marnholtz, M.S. CCC-SLP

Diane received her Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from UCM (formerly CMSU), in 1991 and 1992. Following graduation, she worked for one year at a local rehab company, traveling and providing evaluation, acute rehab, and swallowing therapy at local small hospitals and nursing homes. She quickly learned that the pediatric population was her true passion, and she began a career with the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District in 1993. She worked for the LSR-7 District for 30 years, and recently retired in May 2023. During that time, Diane worked with students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade in several schools throughout the district, providing evaluation and treatment for students with a wide range of impairments and disabilities, including developmental speech and language impairments, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Learning Disabled, and Autism. Several years ago, Diane had the opportunity to receive training in the Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program (LiPS), as well as the intervention program START-IN, and discovered her love for providing reading instruction for students. Diane worked with individual students, small groups, and classrooms to provide reading interventions for struggling readers. She is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham literacy and dyslexia program, and enjoys sharing her passion for literacy with students, parents, and teachers. Although Diane retired from the school district, she wasn’t ready to give up her love of providing support for kids, and looks forward to working with the pediatric population at The Pediatric Place! Diane has been married to Chad since 1992, and they raised three daughters together. They have lived in Warrensburg since they attended college together after meeting in high school, and decided to make Warrensburg their home. They have one granddaughter, and love to spend time with family, friends, and camping in their spare time.

Amy Wolcott, M.S. CCC-SLP

Amy began her career as an editor after earning her bachelor’s degree in professional writing. During her undergraduate studies, she took a linguistics course and was fascinated to learn how the brain processes and produces language. After seeing the results of speech therapy in the children of friends and family members over the next several years, Amy knew that speech-language pathology was the perfect opportunity to combine the study of language development that had so interested her with her literary background and desire to work with children. She returned to graduate school and earned her master’s degree in speech-language pathology in 2022. Amy strives to help children with speech, language, and literacy disorders reach their full communicative potential by creating treatment plans that are research-based and tailored to the child’s individual strengths and needs. Amy’s husband, Daniel, is a professor of biology at the University of Central Missouri. They have two daughters and enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling as a family.

Jennifer Hollman, M.S. CCC-SLP

Jennifer has been a pediatric speech therapist for 4 years. She loves that her job helps kids communicate and participate in the world around them. Before she worked as a speech therapist, she taught ECSE in the schools and worked briefly for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In her free time, she works in her garden. Jennifer just recently started to be interested in growing native plants. She also hangs out with her teen son, 2 dogs, and 2 cats.

Bailey Graskewicz, M.S. CCC-SLP

Bailey earned a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in psychology from the University of Central Missouri in December of 2020 and her Master’s of Science degree in communication disorders from the University of Central Missouri in May of 2023. Bailey has always had a passion working with the pediatric population and knew that being a speech-language pathologist would be the best fit for her. Bailey has been working at The Pediatric Place since June of 2021. She thoroughly enjoys working with all of the different therapists at The Pediatric Place because everyone collaborates together to provide the best treatment for all clients. Bailey is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends. You can always catch her watching football on Sunday’s. GO CHIEFS!

Casey Hatfield M.S. CF-SLP

Casey graduated from the University of Kansas in 2015, receiving her Bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in strategic communications. While completing her undergraduate degree, she worked part-time as a kindergarten group leader for the Boys & Girls Club and as a para-professional for Barney Goodman Summer Camp. This is where Casey discovered her passion for working with the pediatric population and with individuals of all abilities, needs, and backgrounds. She worked as a marketing professional for five years specializing in public relations, marketing campaigns & promotion strategies, and social media marketing. In 2018-2019, Casey was the communications director for RISE Community Services in Warrensburg, MO serving adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. She found herself enjoying the time spent as a vocational mentor more than completing office tasks (the actual marketing work). This led her to make a change and pursue earning a post-baccalaureate Master's degree in communication disorders from the University of Central Missouri. During her graduate program, Casey had the opportunity to complete an off-site placement at The Pediatric Place, where she fell in love with the accepting culture and multi-disciplinary benefits of working in collaborative pediatric practice. She was thrilled to accept a position as a speech-language pathologist with The Pediatric Place upon earning her Master's degree in 2023. Casey has been trained in the IMSE Orton-Gillingham literacy and dyslexia treatment program and enjoys working with language delays and disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, literacy, and AAC. Her favorite part of being a speech-language pathologist is discovering each child's unique abilities and interests to provide individualized treatment. She is passionate about providing relationship-based and child-led therapy to build confidence and self-advocacy skills.