Speech Therapy Team Bios

Caroline Moore, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathology Department Director and Speech Language Pathologist

Graduate with a Master's from Appalachian State University. I knew I wanted to work with children when I saw the progress that could be made. I have great experience with Early Intervention. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, reading and yoga. I love working with children because they are our future. They are so curious, unique, and fun! I have been with the Carolina Peds Team since 2013. I love working at Carolina Peds because there are so many professionals with different interest areas to turn to when you need help The children are the heart of the vision.

Alisha Weaver, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Western Carolina. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I was a child myself working with young children at a summer camp. My experience includes working children ranging in all ages working on speech and language. I mostly working on early communication skills and articulation. But enjoy children of all ages that need help with any skills. I love working with children because they are joys to around. They are so loving and see the world with such wonderous eyes. They make me feel younger. My hobbies are being with my family. I have an amazing daughter who is my world! I am a big kid at heart, which makes my job the best job in the world! I enjoy helping other, playing games, painting, swimming, bowling, watching movies, and anything that is fun. I have been working at Carolina Peds since 2016 it gives me the opportunity to serve families and the community around me, as well as the staff members are wonderful people that care so much about one another.

Ashley Kippins, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Northeastern University with a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, and MGH Institute of Health Professions with a master's in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I was a child and always wanted a little sibling! That led to working with children through mentoring programs, babysitting, tutoring, and volunteer organizations throughout high school and college. My experience includes various settings, including clinics, schools, and hospitals. I've worked with a range of communication challenges and have a passion for working with preschool children ages 1-5. I love working with children because they teach me how to make every day an adventure! My hobbies are traveling to new domestic and international destinations, spending time with family and friends, hiking, and knitting. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2020 I have wonderful colleagues who not only support the children they work with but also encourage and teach each other.

Catherine Tintle, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist

Graduate of University of Georgia. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I grew up watching my mother work with children as a teacher. Working with children of all ages to improve social skills, help with vocabulary development and work to improve expressive language skills. I love working with children because they are filled with curiosity and an innate desire to learn and explore. My hobbies are listening to music, homesteading, spending time in nature and cooking. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2015 and it gives me the opportunity to make a difference.

Courtney Gooden, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of NOVA Southeastern. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I took developmental psychology in college. I knew I wanted to help children flourish! My experience includes early intervention, autism, sign-language, and pre-school based interventions. I love working with children because I believe each child is unique and has potential for greatness. I love that I am able to foster growth to meet that potential! My hobbies are hiking, sewing, reading, and gardening. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2015. I love working at Carolina Peds because I am able to build meaningful relationships with the families I serve and learn from a variety of disciplines!

Daniela Lozano, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Western Carolina University. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I did a clinical rotation at an outpatient clinic that mainly saw children. I love working with children because they are our future. My hobbies are reading, writing, and learning new things like drawing. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2021. I love working at Carolina Peds because I am surrounded by other amazing therapists from other disciplines that inspire me to do my best.

Jaclynn Gostomski, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Miami University (Oxford, OH). I first knew I wanted to work with children when I I was in high school. In high school and throughout college, I spent time babysitting, tutoring, volunteering at church daycares, and working as a summer camp counselor. I have experience working with children in clinics and schools with various communication challenges. I have worked with children ages 3-18. I enjoy running, hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Also, I really like going for walks. I love working with children because they have so much potential and desire to learn. Children encourage me to always use my imagination and find a new creative way of thinking. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2022. I love working at Carolina Peds because of the positive energy and support provided by my co-workers. Also, I truly enjoy working with the families that we serve. Everyone is so kind and willing to help!

Jenn Milan, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Western Carolina. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I worked as a paraprofessional with a family who had kids with special needs. My experience includes early intervention, coaching, feeding, articulation and phonology, preschool language, fluency disorders, and working with children on the autism spectrum. My hobbies include hiking, gardening, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and playing ukulele. I love working with children because I love making a difference and helping children reach their full potential. I love working at Carolina Peds because they truly care about our community and about their employees.

Jessica Bumgarner, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Appalachian State University for undergrad and Western Carolina University for graduate school. I first knew I wanted to work with children when my younger siblings were born. I am the oldest in my family and enjoyed playing with my younger brothers and sisters. I have many years of experience working with young children who have expressive and receptive language delays, articulation delays, and phonological delays. I am especially interested in bridging the gaps in education through early intervention. I love working with children because I want all children to have a voice. Early intervention is key in promoting success as children transition to school. My hobbies are spending time with my family. I enjoy hiking, sitting by the campfire, baking with my daughter, and enjoying the sunshine. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2009 I love that we provide much needed intervention services to help our clients succeed in school and the community.

Kelly Shay, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Bachelors of Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Georgia and Masters of Speech Language Pathology from University of Florida. I first knew I wanted to work with children when completing my clinical rotations in graduate school solidified that for me. Between the pediatric placements and the adults placements, I felt more called to the pediatric settings. Children are so resilient and since I also work closely with caregivers, I feel I get the best of both worlds! My experience includes early language intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorder, articulation and phonological disorders, and early literacy patients. I love working with children because As a teenager, I worked jobs babysitting or teaching swim lessons to kiddos! I adore how innocent and honest children are. Keeps me young and fun, I think! Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner and our puppy! I also love baking and decorating cookies to share with my friends, family, and coworkers. I am a big foodie and love trying new restaurants in the Asheville and Waynesville area! I have been with Carolina Peds since 2019 and we are a family. I genuinely love coming to work everyday because I love my coworkers and I enjoy what I do. From the therapists to the directors to the owners, everyone at Carolina Peds wants to help children and their families. I think it's hard to find a healthcare company who truly values quality over quantity, and that is this company.

Mackenzie Anderson, MS, CF-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist

I graduated from Arizona State. My experience includes social communication, expressive and receptive language, articulation, and feeding therapy. My hobbies are hiking, mountain biking, reading, and photography. I love working with children because every day is different and fun! I have been with the Carolina Peds Team since 2021. I am supported and cared for by my coworkers and community at Carolina Peds.

Myrna Reesor , MA, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of University of Tennessee. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I have always worked with children. From the time I was old enough to babysit in my neighborhood, through raising my own four children, volunteering at church, and teaching preschool, there have always been children in my life. I enjoy working in all areas of speech language pathology. I have experience in articulation, phonology, apraxia, developmental language delays, and autism. I love working with children because children find joy in the smallest things. They make me smile and laugh everyday. It is so rewarding to make a positive impact on their lives. My hobbies are My family enjoy watching all college and professional sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy quiet evenings reading. I am looking forward to my first granddaughter this summer. I have been with Carolina Peds since 2013 Children find joy in the smallest things. They make me smile and laugh everyday. It is so rewarding to make a positive impact on their lives.

Rachel Griffin, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist

Graduate of Appalachian State University for undergraduate degree in BK- Child Development. Western Carolina University for my masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I worked as a life guard and camp counselor as a teen. Throughout college, I followed my heart and received a bachelors working in early childhood development. Following 4 years of teaching 2-5 year old's, I met an SLP who inspired me. Luckily, I found the perfect position that combines my passion for communication and my love of working with children and their amazing families! My experience includes serving families and children who require support with language development, articulation skills, feeding and oral motor skills. Working with children of all abilities and learning differences. Spending time with my family and sweet pets, gardening, hiking, playing tennis, and enjoying all the beauty Western NC has to offer! I feel in my heart I am meant to work with children. No matter the challenges children may go through, I find they are all resilient, joyful, and capable individuals. Carolina Pediatric Therapy has allowed me to grow and maintain autonomy while also supporting me both professionally and personally! I have been with the Carolina Peds Team since 2015. I love the flexibility, the professional development, support of coworkers, and the positive work environment. It feels like family!

Savannah Helmer , MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Western Carolina University. I first knew I wanted to work with children when I’ve always known that I wanted to work with children when I entered the workforce. They are so energetic and help us see the joy in every day life! I have experience with populations that possess articulation/phonological delays, apraxia, developmental delays, expressive/receptive language delays, early intervention, fluency disorders (stuttering; cluttering), phonological awareness, delays secondary to a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and/or learning disorder. I love working with children because they are so joyful, motivated, and bring so much energy and happiness to our lives! My hobbies are swimming, hiking, calligraphy, and traveling with my partner! I have been with Carolina Peds since 2019 and I feel like a member of one big, happy family.

Taylor Rogers, MS-CF-SLP, Speech Language-Pathologist

Graduate of Appalachian State and Western Carolina. I worked as a personal aid with a four-year-old boy with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. He was such an intelligent, kind, athletic, humorous, loving child who brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. I loved spending my days and weekends with him and his family. I knew from this point forward that I wanted to be an SLP and most definitely work with kiddos! I have treated and assessed numerous children with articulation, expressive language, receptive language, pragmatic, fluency, and auditory processing disorders related to a variety of diagnoses including autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, and childhood apraxia of speech. attending Biltmore Church in Arden, NC, spending time with my family, friends, fiancé, and chihuahua, going to the lake, and watching crime/drama/mystery TV shows/movies! I love working with children they always know how to brighten my day and make me smile. Each session is different, and I absolutely love that. I have learned so much from each of my kiddos that I will hold with me forever! I have been with Carolina Peds since June 2021 everyone is so kind and understanding. Anytime I ask anyone a question, they are more than willing to go above and beyond to help. I absolutely love the atmosphere and positive energy that Carolina Peds brings. Not only the employees, but the clients and their families as well! :)

Tess Gratton, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist

Graduate of UNC-Wilmington (undergrad) and Western Carolina University (graduate school). My mom inspired me to work with children. She taught kindergarten for many years and I spent a lot of time in her classroom growing up. I loved getting to know her students and watching them grow and learn throughout the year. I love working with a variety of ages and needs, but have the most experience with children ages 18 months to 10 years. Early intervention, articulation and language intervention are my favorite areas to serve. I also speak Spanish and am passionate about providing therapy for bilingual/Spanish speaking children of all ages. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter and Goldendoodle pup. We love to travel and explore all the beauty and fun that WNC has to offer. I love working with children because Not only is it extremely rewarding knowing that I’m able to make a small difference in a child’s life, but it’s so FUN! I love the energy and joy that children bring to my life. I have been with the Carolina Peds Team since 2018. I love working at Carolina Peds because it’s such a positive work environment. Everyone genuinely cares about each other and the families we serve. I couldn’t ask for a better job!

Meet our Speech Team