Our Staff

Kids on the Go

Meet your Therapists and Summer Staff:

Karen Thieman Barrows, M.A.,CCC-SLP

 Karen is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with a Masters Degree form Wayne State University. She currently works at Macomb Intermediate School District in the Macomb Infant Preschool Program with experience working with early intervention and school-aged children. This is Karen’s eighth year with Kids on the Go. Karen is our staff therapist on Mondays and Wednesdays.

 Karen M.L. Barsy, MA, DTR

 Karen has earned a BS in Dance Education from Eastern Michigan University, an MA in Dance Therapy from Lesley College.  She is a Dance Therapist at MSU Community Music School Detroit and Creative Arts Therapies, Inc.  Karen has experience with developmentally disabled, multiply impaired, sight impaired, psychiatric, sexual abuse victims and geriatric populations. Previously employed at Center for Creative Studies-Institute for Music and Dance and Adult Well Being Services. Karen is a member of the American Dance Therapy Association.

Chris Buchanan, MPT

 Chris is a certified Physical Therapist with a Bachelor Degree from Grand Valley State University and a Master Degree from the University of Michigan- Flint. Chris has over 12 years of experience in a variety of outpatient pediatric and adult settings. Chris has been affiliated with Kids on the Go for three years and is part of our contingent staff. 

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 Mike Fremont

Mike joins us from the Lac Saint Clair Baseball and Softball Association. Mike has been coaching baseball in our community for almost thirty years. He is currently involved in the Lac Saint Clair Baseball and has experience working with children and adults of all ages. This is Coach Mike’s first year with Kids on the Go.

Marilouise Galik, PT

Marilouise is a certified Physical Therapist with a Bachelor Degree from the University of Florida Marilouise has over twenty years of experience with pediatric physical therapy. She has spent most of her career working in the schools but has also done some private practice work. She has worked with children from birth to twenty-one years of age. This is Marilouise’s sixth year with Kids on the Go. Marilouise is our staff therapist Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Heidi George

Heidi George is a certified Yoga Ed Trainer. A dedicated and inspired yoga practitioner for 10 years she delights in bringing the joy of yoga to all students. Heidi has taught yoga to adults for 4 years and during the past 3 years she has been teaching Yoga Ed to teachers, students, and parents in schools across Michigan. Her goal is to inspire adults and children to incorporate this practice into their lives to find connection and honor in themselves where ever life takes them.

Carly Hickey, COTA

Carly is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Macomb Community College. Carly is currently working in Southfield Public Schools with preschool, elementary and middle school aged children; Developing Connections, an outpatient pediatric clinic; and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. This is Carly’s fourth summer with Kid’s on the Go and is our staff therapist on Fridays. Carly will also be this year’s assistant with the Creative Dance Clinic at the Grosse Pointe Dance Center.

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Shaun Hickey, COTA

Shaun is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Macomb Community College. Shaun is currently working at Sanctuary at the Abbey Nursing Home and Developing Connections, an outpatient pediatric clinic. This is Shaun’s fourth summer with Kids on the Go and is our staff therapist on Fridays. Shaun is the therapy assistant in this year’s Little Sluggers Clinic.

Colleen Klosterman

Colleen is a registered Occupational Therapist with a degree from Western Michigan University in Occupational Therapy. Colleen has over twenty five years experience and is currently working in the Clarkston Community School District and providing home care therapy. This is Colleen’s third year with Kids on the Go and will be our staff therapist on Mondays and on Fridays.

Katie Lubera, MA, CCC-SLP

Katie is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with Bachelor and Masters Degrees from Michigan State University. She is currently working at Rodgers Elementary in St. Clair Shores working with preschool and kindergarten age children. This is Katie’s third summer with Kids on the Go and will be our staff therapist on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Linda Netzel, OTR

Linda is a registered Occupational Therapist with over twenty five years of experience. She has held several staff and administrative positions and is currently a professor and the Clinical Coordinator at Macomb Community College in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Wayne State University and a Masters of Arts degree in Allied Health Education from the University of Michigan. Linda is the Coordinator of Kids on the Go and the Better Letters Handwriting Program. This is Linda’s seventh year with Kids on the Go. In addition to Better Letters, Linda is our staff therapist on Wednesdays.

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Heather Pillars, OTR

Heather is a registered Occupational Therapist with a degree from Wayne State University in Occupational Therapy. Heather has ten years of experience working with the geriatric and pediatric populations. She is currently working in the public schools serving both elementary and high school children. This is Heather’s third year with Kids on the Go and is part of our contingent staff.

Kristy Piana Schena, MS, CCC-SLP

 Kristy is the Founder and Executive Director of Kids on the Go. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University and her Masters Degree in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University. Kristy is excited to be celebrating eleven years of providing Kids on the Go services! Her fourteen years of experience include Faith Medical Center, Bi-County Community Hospital, St. John Oakland Hospital, and Bonsecours Rehabilitation Services/ Beaumont Grosse Pointe. Kristy will also be instructing our “Once Upon a Story” clinic this summer.

Cindy Spalding, COTA

Cindy is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Macomb Community College.  Cindy is currently working with the Clarkston School District. She has received training in the Handwriting Without Tears Program through the Macomb Intermediate School District. Her experience also includes Beaumont’s Pediatric Outpatient Program. This is Cindy’s fifth year with Kids on the Go. Cindy is a staff therapist on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Jody Conradi Stark, MA, MT-BC

Jody is the Site Director of Music Therapy Clinical Services at MSU Community Music School - Detroit and President of Creative Arts Therapies, Inc. She has a BA in Music Therapy from Colorado State University, MA in Arts Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Jody is currently completing a PhD in Music Education/Music Therapy at MSU. She was a visiting lecturer at EMU Depart of Music and Dance, Music Therapy Program in Fall of 2008, a graduate Teaching Assistant at MSU School of Music/Music Therapy Program from 2002-2007. She has experience with psychiatric, developmentally disabled, autistic, and pre-primary impaired populaons. Previously she was a Director at the Center for Creative Studies-Institute of Music and Dance, School of Performing Arts Special Education, Executive Director and Program Coordinator at Full Circle COmmunity Center, and music therapist: Vistas Nuevas Head Sart, Detroit Psychiatric Institute, Oakland Schools Autism Program, Detroit Oseopathic Hospital, FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts, UofM Psychiatric Hospitals. Member of American Music Therapy Association, Past Vice-President of Michigan Music Therapists, Chair for VSA Arts of Michigan-Southeast Region, an Assembly Delegate and Student Advisor for Great Lakes Region of the American Association for Music Therapy. 

Deanna Wirick, MPT

Deanna is a certified Physical Therapist with her Master Degree in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University. Deanna has over ten years of experience working with pediatrics and adults in an outpatient therapy clinic. She has worked with Kids on the Go for the last seven years and is part of our contingent staff.

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