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Meet Our Team

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Cindy Peters-Pontones
Owner, Director, Speech-Language Pathologist

Cindy started Cornerstone Therapy Services in 1990 here in Brevard County. With faith as the “cornerstone” of her life, Cindy believes that this is God’s business and she is His manager. Cindy received her Master’s degree from Missouri State University in Communication Disorders in1986 and immediately moved to Florida to start her career. Cindy is married with adult children and a precious grandchild. Cindy has 38+ years of experience as a clinician. In 1994, Cindy represented the United States as part of a team going to Russia and working with their professionals and families to teach habilitation methods to the special needs community. Cindy has a passion for life in “working hard and playing hard,” which translates to her practice in working with children, families, and being their total advocates. In her personal life, Cindy has a passion for traveling, snow skiing, going to the beach, gardening and reading.

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Areas of specialization include:

  • Newborn Feeding

  • Early Language Development

  • Hearing Impairment

  • Auditory Verbal Approach and Total Communication Approach

  • Fluency in Sign Language

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Office Staff

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Samantha Salazar

Samantha is a nationally certified and state licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She was awarded her Bachelor of Science in communication science and disorders from Florida State University. Samantha has worked in the following pediatric settings: private practice, elementary and middle school, teletherapy. In 2020, Samantha became a full time provider at Cornerstone. She enjoys collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team. In her free time, Samantha enjoys traveling with her husband, baking, and living an active lifestyle. 

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Areas of specialty include:

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  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Behavior

  • Speech Sound Disorders

  • Developmental Language Delays

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Jordan Schopke

 

Jordan Schopke is a CF Speech Language Pathologist who graduated with a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida in May of 2023. During her time at UF, Jordan's clinical practicum was heavily focused in pediatrics. She gained extensive experience in private practice, teletherapy, and diagnostics/report writing for Dyslexia and Specific Reading Impairment at the University of Florida Dyslexia Clinic. Jordan completed her externship at Cornerstone Therapy Services in the Spring of 2023 and began working full time shortly thereafter. Treatment specialties include:

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  • Early Childhood Language Development

  • Articulation/Phonological Disorders

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Dyslexia/reading disabilities

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Alexis Krell

Alexis is a Speech Language Pathologist who specializes in pediatric services. For families with minimally verbal children, Alexis is able to evaluate for communication systems that best fit their needs, whether it be low tech PECs board, or a speech generating device from Saltillo and Tobii Dynavox. Children who present with feeding disorders, secondary to textural/sensory aversions and/or lack of oral motor control and coordination, have received evidenced based intervention from Alexis, in order to increase variety in their diet and improve their independent functioning across environments. Alexis believes in the power of a strong, home carryover program and will provide direct communication and visual supports for caregivers. Areas of specialty include: ​

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  • Early Intervention

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech

  • Stuttering

  • Articulation/ Phonology

  • Voice Disorders

  • Toddler Emerging Language

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Ayanna Frederick

 

Ayanna is a part-time Speech-Language Pathologist at Cornerstone Therapy Services. She received her Master of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Florida. Ayanna  was born and raised in South Florida and recently relocated to Melbourne, Florida to pursue her Speech-Language Pathology career. Ayanna has worked with children and adults  in private practice, schools, tele-therapy, outpatient clinic, skilled nursing facility and hospital settings. Ayanna is passionate about parent education and helping children improve their daily communication needs with confidence.   Ayanna intends to take additional education courses focusing on pediatric feeding and swallowing. In her free time, Ayanna enjoys traveling, relaxing at home, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.  Areas of interest include:

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  • Articulation & Phonology

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Behavior

  • Pediatric Feeding/Swallowing 

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Jennifer Melendez

Jennifer Melendez is a licensed and certified Speech Language Pathologist. Originally from South Florida, she received both her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Florida Atlantic University. Jennifer has 12 years of experience comprised of elementary school settings and private practice covering the pediatric population age range of 1-16 years. Her experience includes working with:

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  • Toddler emerging language

  • Autism

  • Articulation

  • Early intervention

  • Childhood apraxia of speech

  • Stuttering

  • Articulation/ phonology

  • Voice disorders

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Christina Clutter


Christina is a full time Speech-Language Pathologist at Cornerstone Therapy Services. She received her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania. Christina was born and raised in Amity, Pennsylvania and moved to Florida upon obtaining her Masters Degree. Christina is inspired to impact the lives of children and families in the surrounding area. She has worked with children in private practice, schools, teletherapy, and outpatient clinic settings. Christina strives to work alongside children and their families to improve communication skills and create therapy programs for their specific needs. Christina intends to take additional education courses focusing on pediatric feeding and swallowing. In her free time, Christina enjoys the beach, playing/coaching lacrosse, shopping, and spending time with family and friends. Areas of interest include: 

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  • Articulation & Phonology

  • Developmental Language Delays

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Behavior

  • Early Intervention

  • AAC

 

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Speech Language Pathologists

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Laquiesha Johnson
Office Manager/Billing Specialist

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Doris Godere
Front Office Admin

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Christina Ladd
Front Office Admin

Occupational Therapists

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Christi Dutchess

Christi is a nationally certified and state licensed Occupational Therapist. She was awarded her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana State University and Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. For the past 25 years, Christi has worked in the following diverse pediatric settings: developmental preschool, early intervention, teletherapy, and in both clinical and school settings with all ages and ability levels of children from birth through high school aged. She is experienced in working with a variety of populations and diagnoses. Christi is passionate about creating deep relationships and partnerships with parents to help children to be successful across all environments with the greatest level of independence. Christi is also a Life Coach and is passionate about helping others live their best lives. She enjoys working out and spending time with her family. 

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Katherine Robinson

Katherine has been an Occupational Therapist for 22 years. She graduated with her Bachelor's of Occupational Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas in 2000. The first 16 years of her career were spent in an early intervention day habilitation center in Arkansas. After her husband retired from the Air Force, she spent time in Colorado with her family, gaining additional experience in pediatric home health and school based interventions. In 2020, Katherine relocated to Florida with her husband and youngest daughter. She loves her job and enjoys working with children of all ages. She is grateful to spend time "playing" with her clients and interacting with their families. She has 3 beautiful daughters, a spirited red-headed granddaughter, and 3 young and energetic nephews. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, puzzles, and spending time with her family. 

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Andrea Oliva

Andrea is a pediatric Physical Therapist. She has been working since 2007 after receiving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. What she loves most about working with kids is hearing their contagious laughter, seeing their bright smiles, and exploring their amazing personalities. She is grateful for the opportunity to meet so many special kiddos and their inspiring family members. Faith is an integral part of Andrea’s daily life. In union with her husband, Michael, she really enjoys being of service to the community and learning from others along the way.

Physical Therapists

Cornerstone Therapy Services

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