Our Team
Your Team of Caring Professionals— Here to Serve You!
Mandy Carlsen, MOT, OTR/L
Partner and Occupational Therapist
Mandy is an occupational therapist specializing in feeding and mealtime skills. She received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Arizona in 2001. She then moved to Seattle to pursue her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Sunny Tucson drew her back to the Southwest in 2004 with her husband. She has been in private practice working with children with feeding challenges and their families in southern Arizona for the last nine years. She became a founding partner with Mealtime Connections in 2007 and is a founding member for Nourish, a 501(c)3 non-profit supporting families whose children have feeding challenges (www.nourishaz.org). Mandy enjoys spending time with her family and colleagues and taking advantage of all Tucson has to offer.
Kimberly Edwards, MS, OTR/L, CLC
Partner, Occupational Therapist, and Certified Lactation Counselor
Kimberly Edwards is an occupational therapist, certified lactation counselor and partner at Mealtime Connections. Kimberly moved to Tucson in 1980, graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 1995 and from Arizona School of Health Sciences with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1999. Kimberly has been working in pediatrics since 1999 with experience in school districts, home based and outpatient clinic based services with an emphasis on feeding the medically fragile infant and child. She was involved with the Pediatric Intensive Care Team for five years, has been actively involved with the Smooth Way Home Project, and recently completed the Fragile Infant Feeding Institute training. Realizing there was a need to support families with complicated breastfeeding concerns, Kimberly became interested in pursuing additional education in lactation and became a certified lactation counselor in 2015. She especially enjoys supporting medically fragile infants and their families. Kimberly has lived in Tucson for more than 30 years and enjoys participating in community events with family and friends.
Randi Morgan, M.A., CCC-SLP, CLC
Speech Director, Speech Language Pathologist, Certified Lactation Counselor
Randi received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from Northern Arizona University, and a Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Iowa. Randi joined the Mealtime Connections team in 2009, where she is the Director of Speech Language Pathology. Randi is also a community campus partner with the University of Arizona for the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department providing supervision and clinical training for students in the Speech Language Pathology graduate program. Randi specializes in pediatric feeding, dysphagia, and speech and language skill development, and has practiced in hospital, clinic, and home based therapeutic settings. She has significant expertise evaluating and treating infants / toddlers / children with both special healthcare and developmental needs. Randi pursued her interest in supporting moms and babies with complex breastfeeding concerns, becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor in 2015. Randi has advanced dysphagia assessment and management training in cervical auscultation and the Frazier Water Protocol. Randi is also certified in the Tscharnuter Akademie for Motor Organization (TAMO) handling technique (now called Perception-Action Approach). Randi is proficient in Spanish and American Sign Language.
Erin Phillips, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Science from the University of Arizona and a Master of Sciences degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Arizona. She joined the Mealtime Connections team in July 2013 during her clinical fellowship year. Erin specializes in assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding, dysphagia, oral-motor skill development, and speech and language skill development. Erin has direct experience working with infants, preschool-age and school-age children in clinic and home based therapeutic settings. Erin pursues an interdisciplinary approach in providing comprehensive care in coordination with other medical professionals at Mealtime Connections and within the Tucson community. Erin continues to focus her interest in pursuing continuing education in pediatric dysphagia for medically complex children, infant speech and language development, oral motor and swallowing function, and Perception-Action Approach for movement and function. Erin has also been a teacher for a selection of different courses at Mealtime Connections addressing pediatric feeding challenges. Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling, running, baking, and crafting.
Lacey Miller, M.S, CCC-SLP, CLC
Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor
Lacey Miller is a speech-language pathologist and certified lactation counselor who grew up in northeast Missouri, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Truman State University in 2004. After moving to Tucson in 2005, she began serving infants and toddlers with developmental delays contracting with the Division of Developmental Disabilities and directing the Arizona Early Intervention Program. She also participated in the Smooth Way Home task force supporting fragile infants in the NICU transition home with developmental support services. After 10 years of in-home support services, she returned to school and received her Master's of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona to support her favorite population through a new scope of practice. She joined Mealtime Connections in 2017 and now specializes in pediatric feeding disorders, breastfeeding challenges, and speech and language disorders. Outside of work, Lacey is a busy wife, mother to three children, and is active in her church
Lydia Dinkel, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Lydia Dinkel is a speech and feeding therapist, and an Arizona native. Lydia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a double minor in Music and Religious Studies from the University of Arizona. She then received her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Arizona. Along with her MS degree, she received a Multicultural and Bilingual certificate, demonstrating additional training in assessing and treating bilingual individuals and individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Lydia had the opportunity to be mentored by the Mealtime Connections team as a graduate student, gaining practical experience in oral motor and sensory function as it relates to pediatric feeding and swallowing, speech and language production, as well as child development. She joined the Mealtime Connections team in July 2022. Lydia’s training in music also influences her practice, as she integrates music into speech and language treatment to improve therapy engagement and goal outcomes. Outside of work, Lydia enjoys making music with family and friends, baking, crocheting, and she is active in her church.
BreAnne Robison, M.S., OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Supervisor, Occupational Therapist
Bre received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Arizona and her Masters in Occupational Therapy at A.T. Still University. She joined the Mealtime Connections team in February 2015 as a feeding fellow with the Marsha Dunn Klein Feeding Fellowship Program. In addition to treating infants and children with feeding and developmental concerns, Bre is a Get Permission Master Educator, assists with teaching Get Permission conferences and has aided in the developmental and presentation of the updated Anxious Eaters Anxious Mealtime parent class. Bre also provides supervision, training and mentorship to students and fellows here at Mealtime Connections. When she’s not working, she spends time with her family and enjoys reading, cooking, eating, and using her creativity on Pinterest.
Speech Language Pathologist
Sabrina Sieg earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Wartburg College. Prior to becoming a speech-language pathologist, Sabrina worked at a homeless services center and as a preschool teacher. To further support her interest in early intervention and pediatric development, she earned her Master of Science degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona. Additionally, Sabrina earned a Multicultural Certificate, demonstrating additional training in assessing and treating bilingual individuals and individuals from different cultural backgrounds. She joined the Mealtime Connections team in 2022, where she continues to pursue her special interests in responsive feeding, gestalt language development, bilingual language development, and development of pediatric speech, language, and feeding skills. Outside of work, Sabrina enjoys traveling, crafting, exercising, exploring local businesses, and spending time with her dog.
Sabrina Sieg, M.S., CCC-SLP
Allison Whiteside, PT
Physical Therapist
Allison has practiced pediatric physical therapy since 1980. She received her Basic Pediatric NDT training in 1982. She completed advanced studies in NDT in Baby Courses with Joan Mohr and Mary Quinton, Lower Extremity and Gait course with Lois Bly, and the Refresher course. She is an inactive NDTA Coordinator Instructor having assisted in eleven Pediatric NDTA courses and she has instructed numerous introductory NDT courses. Currently, Allison has provided in home physical therapy services for infants and toddlers through her private practice, Building Blocks. She has also worked for the Newborn Follow Program (NICP), Easter Seals/Blake Foundation, and Children’s Clinics for Rehabilitative Services. Allison co-authored, Facilitation Techniques Based on NDT Principles, with Lois Bly in 1997 and Positioning for Play – Interactive Activities to Enhance Movement & Sensory Exploration with Rachel Diamant in 2005. She has also written articles for Parent Articles, “NDTA Network”, and Parent Articles About NDT.
Beka Johnson, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Beka joined the Mealtime Connections team in 2020. She received her Bachelor’s in Applied Health Science from Messiah University and graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She presented her research on Physical Therapy for children with Down Syndrome at the national level and highly values using evidence based practice in the clinic. Beka enjoys partnering with children of all ages and stages and their families to achieve their goals. When she is not in the clinic, Beka is finding new trails to run with her husband, playing in the park, reading a good book, or playing her cello.
Caryn Barman, PT, DPT, PCS
Physical Therapist
Caryn is a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist with over 20 years of experience. She earned her Bachelors in Anthropology from the University of Georgia and her Masters and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Emory University. Caryn has dedicated her career to serving children and their families in a variety of settings. She has worked with grant funded programs on the Navajo, Hopi, and Havasupai Reservations where she developed interdisciplinary clinics in conjunction with Indian Health Services, developed pediatric training modules, and provided technical support for the Navajo Nation’s Growing in Beauty Program. Caryn has also served in more traditional clinic/hospital-based settings with a focus on medically complex children. Caryn was a co-investigator of the NIH funded study “Intense physiotherapies to improve function in young children with cerebral palsy”. Caryn does not like to sit still and in her free time can be found pursuing a variety of activities including tennis, hiking, kayaking, knitting, reading, and playing her saxophone.
Katelyn Hird, OTD, OTR/L, CLC
Occupational Therapist and Certified Lactation Counselor
Katie received a Bachelor of Family Studies and Human Development from The University of Arizona in December of 2014 and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Creighton University in May 2018. She completed the Marsha Dunn Klein Feeding Fellowship in 2020, assists with Get Permission Institute, and co-leads "Help, I Have a Picky Eater Class", virtually. Katie specializes in pediatric feeding and evaluation/treatment of children with developmental delays, medically complex history, fine motor/gross motor impairments ranging in age from Birth-21years. She recently became a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and is excited to work with breastfeeding babies and breastfeeding moms! Outside of work, she enjoys spending her time outdoors with her Goldendoodle, and enjoys traveling!
Jonathan Gagnon
Front Desk Coordinator
Jon joined the Mealtime Connections team in 2022 and manages the very active front desk. He is originally from Pennsylvania, and moved to Tucson in 2021. He is planning to study Archaeology at the University of Arizona. While not at work, Jon is active at his church, and enjoys cooking, watching movies, playing board games, and spending time with his friends!
November Johnson
Referral Coordinator
November joined our Mealtime Connections team in 2022. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Ministry from Bushnell University with a minor in Business Administration. With her passion for helping people, she pursued a career in the healthcare industry by earning her phlebotomy certification in 2010. November maintains an active role in her church while working and caring for her family. As well as enjoying her pursuit of music, she also loves creative hobbies such as sewing, jewelry making, and home décor crafts. November brings her highly developed organizational skills to the Mealtime Connections team as she manages our new client referrals.
Alexandra Folger
Speech Language Pathology Assistant
Alex joined our Mealtime Connections team in 2021. She is a recent graduate from the University of Arizona where she majored in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minored in Public Health and Business Administration. Her observation hours were done with our team which gave us an opportunity to work with her while she was still in school. She has also recently completed her 100 clinical hours with our team as a part of her Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Certification. She assists our Speech Language Pathologists with therapy sessions here at the clinic. She has appreciated the mentorship from her colleagues here and is excited to continue working with, and learning from, our wonderful team. She will continue her education by getting her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders to ultimately become a certified Speech Language Pathologist herself. In her off time Alex loves spending time with her family and friends, exercising, and being outdoors.
Monica Marotto
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Monica Marotto is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and joined the Mealtime Connections team in 2022. Monica has been a COTA for four years, working with the pediatric population in outpatient and telehealth settings. She received her Associate of Occupational Science degree from Pima Medical Institute in 2018 and her Bachelor of Science in Professional Development and Advanced Patient Care from Grand Canyon University in 2020. Monica is currently applying to Occupational Therapy doctorate programs to become a registered Occupational Therapist. She has been enjoying expanding her knowledge through her colleagues, continuing education, and observation in different areas of pediatric OT. In her free time, Monica enjoys playing video games, reading, baking, and taking naps with her dog, Tormund!
Kimberly Curtis
Speech Language Pathology Assistant
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