Our Team

Physical Therapy

  • Jaime Passaglia, PT, DPT – Pediatric Physical Therapist, Founder and President
    Jaime-Passaglia

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Illinois
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Sarah Kelly, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Willowbrook

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Julie Hesch PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Crown Point
    Julie Hesch

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Indiana University
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Jaime Neidenbach, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Glenview

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Carroll University
    • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Carroll University
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Lauren Silverman, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Highland Park

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Eastern Michigan University
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Rebekah Lavin, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical TherapistRebekah Lavin

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Science in Biology with Minors in Psychology and Dance from Ohio Northern University
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Emily Gilray, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
    • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Max Janczak, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • APTA and IPTA member
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Sarah Kojetin, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from of The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota
    • APTA and IPTA member
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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Occupational Therapy

  • Erin Frazier, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Clinic Director/Area Director -Algonquin

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
    • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan
    • Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health from Western Michigan
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  •  

    Monica Parilac, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
    • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University
    • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Sciences from Saint Louis University
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Kailey McGinness, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
    • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University
    • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Sciences from Saint Louis University
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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Speech Therapy

  • Christine Mendoza, MHS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist, Director of Internal Relations

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Health Science in Communication Disorders from Governors State University
    • Bachelor of the Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Elmhurst College
    • Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Suzanna Ramirez, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
    Suzanna Ramirez

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Science Science in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist
    • Fluent in Spanish
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Lauren Siragusa, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Kaylie Reinglass, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana University
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Kelly Needler, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Science in Speech, Language, & Learning from Northwestern University
    • Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics & Psychology from University of Chicago
    • Certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Society (ASHA)
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Maddie Ruffin, MA, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Maine – Onoro
    • Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Maine – Onoro
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Jackie Ryer, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Elmhurst University
    • Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Elmhurst University
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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  • Meghan Lowry, MA, CF-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
    • Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University
    • Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
      from Miami University
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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Developmental Therapy

  • Andrea Brandess, MS, DT Pediatric Developmental Therapist

    Certification and Training:

    • Credentialed Developmental Therapist
    • Master of Science in Language, Literacy and Specialized Instruction from DePaul University
    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Certified Reading Specialist
    • Certified Early Intervention Specialist
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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Translation

  • Vanesa Corado Lead Teacher & Spanish Interpreter/Translator

    Certification and Training:

    • Bachelors of Arts in Bilingual/ Multicultural Education with Minors in Bilingual/ Multicultural Education from Northeastern Illinois University
    • State Translator and Interpreter
    • Illinois Association of Multilingual Multicultural Education member
    • CPR and First Aid Certified

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Administration

  • Lurdes Lozano Director of Billing

    Lulu is an amazing bi-Lingual office manager who has worked in the therapy industry for many years. She previously worked as a regional manager for one of the Chicagoland area’s prominent physical therapy companies. She brings her knowledge and experience to Little Steps to assist children and families in their overall care.

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  • Jessica Mazella Office Administration

    Jessica previously worked as an administrative assistant for a local school before leaving to take care of her two children. Jessica understands the value of pediatric therapy as her son began receiving services at a young age. Jessica enjoys being a part of the Little Steps team and providing support for families and therapists.

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  • Nicole Wojtysiak Patient Coordinator

    Nicole previously worked in childcare where she cared for multiple children with various needs. Nicole understands the importance of pediatric therapy to help children properly grow and develop to become their best self. She has a passion for health and fitness encourages creating healthy habits and routines for kids. Nicole is excited to be part of the Little Steps team and be able to welcome families to the pediatric therapy world and help them receive the best care for their child.

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  • Erin Kanoon Office Administration

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  • Dominic Gagliardotto Office Administration
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Animal Assisted Therapy

  • Boomer Therapy Dog

  • Benni Therapy Dog