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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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Amanda Eppehimer

Amanda is a Speech Language Pathologist that has specialized in pediatric speech and language disorders for over 5 years. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Central Michigan University. She recently moved to Florida in 2020. In the clinic, Amanda strives to bring creativity and play into each session through fostering naturalistic learning styles to evidence based practices that result in meaningful connections for each individual child. When Amanda is not in the clinic, you can find her indulging in photography, kayaking, bike riding, hiking, or just enjoying the outdoors. Amanda’s specialties include:

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  • Early Intervention

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech

  • Stuttering

  • Articulation/ Phonology

  • Voice Disorders

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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

Speech Language Pathologists

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Miranda Hadley
Office Manager

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Patricia Richardson
Insurance/Billing Manager

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Laquiesha Johnson
Insurace/Billing Specialist

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Aquanda Jordan
Front Office Admin

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Jamie Schulz
Front Office Admin

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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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Nicole Johnson

Nicole graduated from University of Central Florida with a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and joined this practice as a Speech Language Pathologist. Nicole has been with Cornerstone for 5 years. Nicole has a strong background in the use of ASL and enjoys signing. If you spend much time at our offices, you may hear Nicole singing as she works, music is a great learning tool! Nicole's areas of interest include: 

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  • Infant/ Language Development

  • Feeding and Swallowing

  • Articulation and Phonology

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Executive Functioning

  • Behavior

  • Sign Language Development

  • Early Intervention

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech

  • Stuttering

  • Hearing Disorders

  • Voice disorders

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Payton Honaker

Payton is a Speech-Language Pathologist starting her career at Cornerstone. She received her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Florida Atlantic University where she realized her passion for the pediatric population. She was raised in Melbourne, Florida, and is happy to be back impacting the lives of children and families in her community. She has worked with children in private practice and outpatient clinic settings. Payton strives to work alongside children and their families to improve communication skills and create therapy programs for their specific needs. Payton intends to take additional education courses focusing on pediatric feeding and swallowing. In her free time, Payton enjoys the beach, running, tennis, and spending time with family and friends. Areas of interest include: 

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  • Articulation & Phonology

  • Developmental Language Delays

  • Autism

  • Early Intervention

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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Cara Caddy

Cara is a nationally board certified, registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist in Brevard County, Florida. She grew up in the surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. She graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Health Sciences in 2010, and with a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2011. She has worked in a variety of settings across the lifespan, including schools, hospitals, outpatient pediatrics, and early intervention.

 

In January 2021, she completed 90 hours of continuing education to become a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. She is on the road to becoming an IBCLC (Lactation consultant).  Her passion for breastfeeding support and infant feeding came from her personal experience as a mom of four very different spirited children. 

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As an OT mamma, she is in the trenches of young parenthood and all of it's joys and challenges. Her true desire it to help my clients feel supported and learn how to prioritize their own needs. In her free time, she likes spending time with her husband and kids, walking at the beach, riding her bike, and reading.  

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Areas of specialty include: 

  • Infant Feeding

  • Oral Motor

  • Feeding Disorders

  • Sensory Integration

  • Parenting Support

  • Sleep 

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MacKenzie Meyer

MacKenzie is a (nationally board certified, registered, and Licensed Occupational Therapist in Brevard County, Florida. She grew up near the beach in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 2018 with her Bachelor's of Science degree while also playing field hockey for the University. She then graduated from Barry University in 2022 with her Master's of Occupational Therapy. She has worked in a variety of settings including skilled nursing facilities, schools, and outpatient adult rehab. She has also had a desire to work with children and has had her heart set on working with them upon finishing school. 

 

MacKenzie has now set a new goal to become certified in Sensory Integration and a Certified Autism Specialist. MacKenzie has a love of dogs and hopes to incorporate animal therapy into her sessions one day. She is getting married soon and is in the process of planning a wedding. In her free time she enjoys going to the gym, taking walks on the beach, and spending time with family and friends. 

 

MacKenzie is eager and excited to be working with families and children to help them learn and grow every day.

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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. Areas of specialty interest and training include: 

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Julie Bruner

Julie is a nationally board certified and state licensed Physical Therapist. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of South Florida in 2013, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St Augustine in 2015. She also received her Manual Therapy Certification from the University of St Augustine in 2017. She has been working in pediatrics since 2018, including both outpatient and home health pediatrics. She loves making therapy fun to help children and their families reach their full potential. ulie recently got engaged and has begun wedding planning with her fiancée and family. In her free time she enjoys reading, listening to music, getting outdoors, and spending time at church. Areas of special interest include:

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  • Early Intervention

  • Torticollis

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Developmental Coordination Disorder

  • Low Muscle Tone

  • Balance Dysfunction

  • Down Syndrome

  • Genetic Conditions

Physical Therapists

Cornerstone Therapy Services

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