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About our founder

 

Vanessa MacKay, M.S., OTR/L

Vanessa started Play + Wellness Collective to provide occupational therapy that feels supportive and person affirming. She has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years working almost exclusively in pediatrics. She has experience working in a variety of pediatric practice settings including school-based practice (public, private, and charter), outpatient pediatrics, and early intervention (home health and early learning centers). She graduated in 2005 from The College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion. In 2008, she graduated from The Medical University of South Carolina with a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Vanessa earned a health coaching certificate from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2019. She is certified in Unyte Integrated Listening Systems Safe and Sound Protocol and The Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism. 

Vanessa is a caring and empathetic therapist drawing from her broad clinical experience and a personal and familial history of learning disabilities. She uses a holistic, family-centered, strengths-based approach to intervention. She believes both children and caregivers benefit from seeing themselves in a positive light and constructing their lives around what works rather than what doesn’t work. She is an expert at creating a safe space for curiosity, genuine connection, joy, and growth. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys training for triathlons, yoga, breaking bread with friends and family, watching stand-up comedy, and growing her knowledge about the meaning of life via books and podcasts. Her favorite words to live and teach by are “The only thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.” -Neil Gaiman.

 

 

 

Meet the rest of our team

Deborah Hagerty, M.S., OTR/L
 
In 2017, Deb returned to school at Georgia State University to pursue her Masters in Occupational Therapy.
 
Deb approaches OT with a holistic perspective: acknowledging the whole child and working with them by entering their world as opposed to trying to help them conform to ours. She sees actions not always as intentional behaviors, but often as the struggles of neurodiverse humans living in a neurotypical world. Deb’s therapeutic approach is always trauma informed and child led, neurodiversity affirming, family centered, and strengths based.
 
When not at work, you'll find Deb going on adventures with her husband and daughter, drinking coffee, gardening, or reading a good book!
Dr. Shamia James
 
Shamia worked as an Occupational Therapy Assistant for 2 years prior to enrolling back in school to receive her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree from University of St. Augustine-Miami campus in 2019. Shamia has clinical experience working in hand therapy, outpatient pediatrics, home health, and early intervention. As an OT, Shamia enjoys creating and implementing individualized plans to assist children with independence and their confidence.
 
In addition to her professional role, Shamia enjoys spending time with her family. She has a husband and 1 son, though she hopes to have 1 more child. Also, Shamia enjoys going for walks and making memories with family/friends while traveling. 
Denniece Butts, M.S., OTR/L 
 
Denniece was born and raised in Covington, GA. She obtained her graduate degree from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA. Her parents are retired special education teachers, so serving children is a true calling from her bloodline.
 
Denniece has been an occupational therapist for about 4 years with most of her experience in outpatient and school-based practice. Her favorite part about being an occupational therapist is educating patients and families and empowering them to advocate for themselves.
 
Denniece is excited to continue this work with Play+Wellness Collective. Her favorite OT phrase is "We Rise by lifting OThers!"
Kelsea Newman, M.S., OTR/L 
 
Kelsea received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Georgia State University. She also has her disability advocacy certification from the University of Georgia focusing on neurodiversity-affirming practices, improving healthcare delivery systems, and supporting disability and family advocacy.
As an OT, Kelsea is passionate about building kids’ self-esteem and facilitating independence in her patients through fun and functional activities that are unique to each child's goals and interests. She was trained at the Star Institute Sensory Processing Program. She approaches developmental skills including sensory-trauma-based approaches, reflex integration, sensory integration, and emotional regulation with her clients through play. She especially emphasizes connection with her clients and families to support optimal progression. 
In her free time, Kelsea enjoys spending time with family, hiking, good food, and traveling!
Adrea Murphy, M.S., CCC-SLP 
 

 After growing up on Long Island, New York, Adrea attended New York University for her undergraduate degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders before then completing the master's program at the University of the District of Columbia for her degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Since grad school, Adrea has always had a passion for infant and toddler development. She was thrilled to learn about the coaching model within early intervention and to find her niche within the field of speech pathology, working closely with families and empowering them by creating strategies to help their children's development. She particularly is interested in evaluations and she enjoy being a family's first contact in regards to speech services. Before starting in early intervention in 2020, she had also worked in an after-school program with toddlers and school-age children, as well as, with high schoolers and even the geriatric population in a skilled nursing facility setting.

In addition to early intervention, Adrea has a love for traveling and for writing. As the daughter of a first-generation Italian-American, she has always had an appreciation for the dynamics of language, and returning to Southern Italy is her favorite.

Adrea specializes in serving clients 0-3 years of age.

Dr. Jegnasha “Jiggy” Patel 
 
Jiggy graduated with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University, and with her Master of Occupational Therapy from Brenau University. Jiggy has experience working in a wide array of occupational therapy settings including outpatient pediatrics, early intervention, home health, community based settings, and research studies. She currently maintains her National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, World Federation of Occupational Therapy, and Georgia Occupational Therapy Association.
 
Jiggy has clinical experience working with individuals across the lifespan with a wide array of diagnoses in their homes, schools, communities, and in the clinic. She is passionate about providing a safe and positive environment to enhance the patient and practitioner collaboration in which the patient can learn, explore, and reach their full potential for success in participation in their daily lives. Jiggy believes in providing individualistic and holistic care that is well planned to meet the unique needs of each of her patients and their families to promote their health and well-being.
 
Outside of her professional role, Jiggy loves to travel, and spend time with her husband, family, and friends. A self proclaimed historian, She enjoys exploring historic towns and cozying up with a hot cup of coffee and a good book. She also loves to run, hike, read, and watch movies.
 
Jiggy is excited about this opportunity to meet you and work with you and your family!

Jennifer Ault 

Jennifer Ault is a highly skilled and experienced Occupational Therapist who has a wide range of skills in working with individuals of varying age groups, from infants to adults. With an unwavering commitment to assisting individuals unlock their full potential, Jennifer has provided assessments and interventions across diverse settings. 

While working for Hoover City Schools, Jennifer was awarded several grants to create sensory rooms and provide equipment to support special education needs in elementary and middle schools. She showed great dedication by providing numerous workshops to staff and parents, focusing on topics such as sensory processing, child development, and brain plasticity principles to enhance learning skills. 

Throughout her career, Jennifer has also made significant contributions to other esteemed institutions, including Children’s Hospital of Alabama, Puzzle Piece, The Bell Center, Hand in Hand, Child's Play Therapy Center, Kennedy Child Study Center, New York City Department of Education, and Therapeutic Resources. 

Jennifer remains dedicated to ongoing education and professional development, ensuring she stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in therapeutic interventions. She has completed courses in Children's Mastery Neuromovement®️ Training, Anat Baniel Method®️ Neuromovement®️ Basic Training, Sensory Processing & Integration and The MNRI®️ Method Approach. Jennifer actively participates in intensive educational programs year-round, utilizing a brain-plasticity approach. 

Overall, Jennifer's passion, affinity for working with children and families, and commitment to making a difference are evident in her proficient evaluations, targeted interventions, and continuous pursuit of excellence. Her empathetic and caring approach truly sets her apart and makes her an exceptional Occupational Therapist.

Sara "Persy" Persutti, M.S., OTR/L
 
Persy holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from D'Youville College of New York. They have an active license in the states of New York and Georgia. 
 
Persy is a personable and motivated occupational therapist with comprehensive experience including the ability to deliver skilled therapy services in an empathetic manner. They are competent with the desire to utilize leadership skills and organizational abilities to provide quality care with a client-centered approach.
Kyrei Miller, M.S., OTR/L
 
Kyrei holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Boston University. She began her career working in a non-profit, advocating for youths in the juvenile justice system. She went on to spend nearly 10 years working as a special education teacher where she was exposed to the wonderful field of occupational therapy. She enjoyed seeing how therapy helped her students become more successful in the classroom and was in awe at the positive impact that therapy not only had in a child’s education but with their self-esteem.
 
Kyrei took a leap of faith and decided to pursue a career change to occupational therapy. As a therapist, she enjoys helping kids become more independent and reach their goals through intrinsic motivation by allowing children to establish a sense of their own autonomy, they can build the confidence needed to successfully navigate their environment and perform daily occupations.
 
Kyrei was born in Chicago but raised in Georgia and is a southern girl at heart. She is a mother to her beautiful daughter Kennedy and enjoys the beach, cooking, and exploring local festivals and activities with her family!
Gaganpreet "Gigi" Kaur, M.S., OTR/L
 
 Gaganpreet (Gigi) obtained her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, California.
 
Gigi loves being an occupational therapist because it is a profession that allows her to work at the intersection of science, creativity, and compassion. Seeing her patients achieve their goals is what motivates her to work hard. She regularly works with children with sensory processing disorders, ASD, ADHD/ADD, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
 
In her free time, Gigi enjoys exercising, baking, and catching up with her friends/family. 
 
Rex Semblante, PTRP
 
Rex is a licensed physical therapist based in the Philippines with a passion for helping others achieve optimal health and mobility. Rex is also a Certified Healthcare Virtual Assistant, where he assists healthcare professionals in streamlining operations through remote administrative support.
 
Outside of work, Rex is an avid traveler and hiking enthusiast, constantly seeking new adventures and exploring the great outdoors. Whether it's scaling a mountain or discovering hidden gems in remote destinations, he finds inspiration in nature and new experiences.
 
His goal is to balance his professional pursuits with his love for exploration, and he is always looking for ways to merge his skills and passions in both healthcare and adventure.

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