PHONE 402-484-0326
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Kelly Villafane
Speech-Language Pathologist
Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®)
Owner of Link to Communication
Kelly is a certified member of the American Speech Hearing Association. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the national American Speech Hearing Association, a nationally recognized professional credential that represents a level of excellence in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Kelly is a certified member of the International Association of Orofacial Myology, COM®. She is certified to evaluate and treat Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and is a TOTs (tethered oral tissue) trained professional. She loves taking a collaborative approach to treatment with other professionals in and around the Lincoln area. She enjoys educating other professionals and speech-language pathologists about myofunctional disorders through mentorship, trainings, and guidance, as well as providing continued education and support to speech-language pathologists in their Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). Kelly has a passion for helping her clients and their families communicate better.
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Amberly O'Connell
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amberly is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (Certificate of Clinical Competence) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with specialized interprofessional training with Deaf Educators during her graduate program. Amberly has experience working with a variety of individuals in clinical, school, and rehabilitation settings, providing services in the areas of articulation, language, speech fluency, social skills, dysphagia, augmentative and alternative communication, cognitive communication, and voice. She has additional training in Orofacial Myofunctional disorders, as well. Amberly has experience working with a variety of children, including those with autism, hearing loss, and genetic disorders. Some of her hobbies include going on walks, shopping, and golfing. She loves coffee, Italian food, and cheering on the Huskers in all sports! She comes from a family of 7 (4 sisters) and enjoys traveling to the east coast with them visiting new places and exploring. Amberly is passionate about supporting individuals with a variety of disabilities and differences through intentional, meaningful, and skilled intervention services while providing an engaging, welcoming, and warm learning environment.
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Megan Berning
Speech-Language Pathologist
Megan is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (Certificate of Clinical Competence) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She completed her undergraduate degree and graduate degrees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Megan has had 5 years of experience working in school-based settings with elementary students. She provides therapy in the areas of articulation, language, fluency, and augmentative and alternative communication, and voice. Megan has experience working with a variety of children, including those with autism, behavioral disorders, apraxia, and genetic disorders. During her graduate program, she also gained experience working in outpatient and acute medical settings in the areas of swallowing, language, and cognition. Megan enjoys collaborating with families and other professionals to provide individualized plans that address each client’s unique needs. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, working out, rearranging her home, and doing art!
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Claire Tatum
Speech-Language Pathologist
Claire is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Nebraska and a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA.) She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and her graduate degree at the University of West Georgia. Claire has experience working in early intervention (birth-3 years old,) preschool, elementary, middle and high school. Claire has worked with preschool age kids for over 8 years. Claire provides therapy in the area of language, articulation, phonological disorders, fluency, social skills and augmentative and alternative communication. Claire has worked with a variety of needs such as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, hearing loss, behavioral disorders, apraxia and genetic disorders. Claire enjoys working with a multidisciplinary team and families within routines based interventions in order to improve communication skills of children.
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Julie McDaniel
Speech-Language Pathologist
Julie McDaniel is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (Certificate of Clinical Competence) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has extensive experience across a wide variety of medical and rehabilitation settings.Her professional background includes work in skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, trauma, and cardiac units. Most recently, she specialized in neonatal feeding and swallowing, serving infants and families in a Level III NICU. Her expertise includes modified barium swallow studies and the evaluation and treatment of feeding and dysphagia challenges in preterm infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. She has supported patients through bottle-feeding difficulties, transitions to solids, and concerns related to aspiration, weight gain, and oral-motor coordination. She also participated in both the NICU Developmental Follow-Up Clinic and interdisciplinary Feeding Clinic. In addition to her medical experience, she has worked with children in the areas of early language development and articulation. She is passionate about empowering patients and families through education, collaboration, and a person-centered approach. Her goal is to equip caregivers with not only the tools but also the understanding behind therapy techniques, fostering confidence and long-term success beyond the therapy setting.
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Abbie Vodicka
Speech-Language Pathologist
Abbie is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (Certificate of Clinical Competence) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and graduate degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Abbie has experience working with a variety of individuals in clinical, school, and rehabilitation settings. She has experience providing services in the areas of articulation, language, social skills, augmentative and alternative communication, fluency, and cognitive communication. Abbie has experience working with a variety of children, including those with autism, behavioral disorders, and genetic disorders. Abbie is passionate about supporting individuals with their unique communication needs, as well as collaborating with families in order to meet those needs. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with her friends and family!
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Isabella Ostrowski
Speech-Language Pathologist
Isabella is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist through the state of Nebraska completing her clinical fellowship year (CF-Y). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama and graduated with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Isabella completed her clinical externship with us this past summer. Throughout her graduate program, Isabella developed extensive clinical experience across a variety of settings, including clinics, schools, and acute care environments including the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Her clinical experience includes providing intervention to children and adults in language, articulation, fluency, social communication, dysphagia, AAC, cognitive-communication, and voice. Her broad clinical background reflects a strong foundation in delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care across the lifespan. Isabella is passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals feel respected and empowered to succeed. Outside of her professional interests, she enjoys going on walks, cooking, and exploring new restaurants in Lincoln.
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Pasiko Hvichiani
Patient Care Coordinator
Pasiko serves as the new Front Desk Manager, where she combines exceptional organizational skills with a warm, welcoming presence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Sports Management from York College and brings a strong background in administrative coordination, scheduling, and client service. Originally from Ukraine, Pasiko spent 15 years competing in basketball, an experience that instilled a deep sense of teamwork, discipline, and resilience—qualities she brings to her professional role each day. Her ability to manage multiple tasks while maintaining a calm and positive demeanor contributes greatly to the clinic’s smooth daily operations. Outside of work, Pasiko is an avid traveler who has explored much of Europe and the United States. She enjoys discovering new places and coffee shops!
MEET
Lisa Zimmerman
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist
Lisa is a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist through NHA. She has 25 years of experience. Lisa lives in Crown Point, Indiana. A little about Lisa is that both of her parents were born in Italy and she is a first generation Italian born in the United States. Lisa spent many summers in Italy growing up. She has been with her husband for over 23 years and married for 19. They have 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls in that order. They are 18,16,13,11 and 9. Some of Lisa's interests are spending time with her family, cooking, and pretty much anything outdoors. Lisa's favorite quote is something her father would always say, “If you really want to do something, you will always find a way.”