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.

Megan Boben, M.S. CCC-SLP, Clinical Manager (Knob Noster location)

Megan began her career at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO. In her short time there, she had the opportunity to serve local veterans by ensuring comfortable and safe eating and swallowing. While she enjoyed working for and interacting with the gentlemen, she found that she longed for a greater variety in her caseload and missed working with children.

Soon after her realization, Megan was blessed with the opportunity to accept a position as Speech-Language Pathologist at Western Missouri Medical Center at the beginning of 2013. Here, Megan has broadened her scope of experience by working with children and adults, and training in videofluoroscopic swallow study. She also gained immense appreciation in working closely with families, speech language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nursing staff. It was also here that Megan first met Carmen, where Carmen recognized her learning style and fostered her clinical skills by encouraging open communication and collaboration in treatment approaches.

In 2015, Megan was thrilled to join her friend and mentor, Carmen Rathert, as a contract therapist for Carmen’s new practice. Through Chatterbox, Megan is able to provide accessible services within the Warrensburg and Whiteman Air Force Base communities. She is enjoying the opportunity to gain experience in new settings, and is pleased to provide convenient therapy services for the busy lifestyles of today’s families.

Megan considers herself a “generalist” and has experience in working with a wide variety of diagnoses across the lifespan. Megan particularly enjoys working with pediatric language delays and disorders, phonological processing disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, literacy and dyslexia, and adult dysphagia. Megan enjoys thinking outside of the box and incorporating learning input strategies she has learned in collaboration with physical therapists and occupational therapists. Megan feels that it is important to offer learning opportunities through a variety of input channels, including tactile, auditory, and visual experiences.

In 9 short years as an SLP, Megan has completed many continuing education coursework. Megan has experience in error-less learning and discrete trial training through her time as an ABA tutor while in Graduate School. Megan has also been trained in the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education’s Orton-Gillingham literacy and dyslexia treatment program. She also completed a 28-hour introductory orofacial myology course in July of 2020. Megan recently completed training in DIRFloortime® and achieved her Certificate of Competency as a Basic DIRFloortime® Provider in June of 2021.

Amanda Littrell, M.S. CCC-SLP, Lead Therapist

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 obtained 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, Kim pursued her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from CMSU. Upon graduation, Kim began her career at the Clay County Health Department in Liberty, Missouri. During her time there, Kim provided 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 the last 29 years in the public-school system, 25 of which were with the Clinton School District.

During her tenure in the Clinton School District, 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.

Kim strongly believes communication is the golden thread that runs through everything. Because of this belief, her 29 years in public education were spent with early childhood and early elementary students and included a variety of diagnoses, such as articulation and phonology, language disorders, social communication, autism spectrum disorders, fluency, and chromosomal anomalies. While in public education, 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. Kim is trained in Orton Gillingham dyslexia treatment program, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and regularly attends continuing education conferences to remain current in the ever-changing field of speech pathology.

Kim is excited to work at Chatterbox and continue serving communicatively impaired children!

Lauren O'Hare, M.S. CCC-SLP, School Services Liaison

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.

Mallory Pritzel, M.S. CCC-SLP

Mallory graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2022, obtaining a masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has always had a passion for working with children and knew the pediatric setting was perfect for her. Mallory enjoys working with pediatric language delays and disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, and AAC users. She is pursuing certification in Orofacial Myology. She can't wait to continue growing and learning at the Pediatric Place!

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.

Myranda Gray, M.S. CCC-SLP

Myranda received her undergraduate education at the University of Kansas where she completed coursework in linguistics, Spanish, and speech, language, and hearing sciences. During this time, she worked as a research assistant helping to design and implement language processing experiments using eye-tracking technology. In 2019, Myranda decided to pursue a career where she could combine her love of psycholinguistics with the joy of helping others. She obtained her Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Rockhurst University and joined The Pediatric Place as a licensed speech-language pathologist in 2021. Myranda is passionate about providing pediatric care using relationship-based treatment with focus on each child’s individual strengths and interests. She has received additional training in the diagnoses and treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) and is currently pursuing certification. Her other areas of specialty include speech sound disorders and early language acquisition.

Amy Wolcott, M.S. CF-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.

Bailey Graskewicz, M.S. CF-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!