About us

ducktails child development

DUCKTAILS OWNERSHIP / MANAGMENT

amy ross

, (OTR/L)
Ducktails Ownership/Management

Amy Ross is the owner of Ducktails Pediatric Therapy and Wellness. She’s a native of Augusta and graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She began her career working with adults in an acute care setting and transitioned to pediatrics, working in schools and then in outpatient therapy at Ducktails starting in 2013. With 21 years of experience as an OT and 15 years of pediatric experience, she has a passion for working with children and their families to help each child reach their maximum and age-appropriate functioning. She loves working alongside all the therapists to ensure the collaborative team effort evidenced at Ducktails.

STAFF

courtney cooper

Insurance Referral Coordinator

katy taylor

Front Desk Associate

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

nicole knight

, MPT

Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology at Berry College and went on to earn her master’s degree in Physical Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia. She enjoys being active and spending time with family and friends. She has been a part of the Ducktails team since 2015 and has 20 years of pediatric experience as a physical therapist. Nicole has worked in a variety of pediatric settings serving children birth to 18 years of age to include early intervention through Babies Can’t Wait, pediatric outpatient clinics, Easter Seals UCP, and has served children with IEPs in both North Carolina and Georgia school systems. She has experience providing services for children with a wide range of diagnoses, disabilities, physical limitations, and gross motor delays. Nicole embraces a patient and family-centered approach to ensure each child reaches their optimal achievements. She is dedicated to working alongside a team of providers to include orthotists, therapists of varying disciplines, and equipment specialists to meet your child’s specific needs.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

christina merchant

, OTR/L, CPT

Chrissy graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with her Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2007. She was certified in Behavior Analysis as a BCBA in 2009 and received her CPT (certified personal trainer) in 2020. Since graduating Chrissy has worked within the field of pediatrics with ABA and skilled OT practices. She joined the Ducktails team in 2016. Chrissy specializes in working with children with diagnoses of Autism and developmental learning disorders. She has experience with behavior analysis to help children with ASD and other disabilities with social, behavioral and other learning disorders. On her off time Chrissy enjoys spending time with her husband, 5 children, and animals. She enjoys working out and riding Horses.

kristina carter

, OTR/L

Krissy graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2017 with a degree in Exercise Science. Shortly after, she relocated to Augusta with her husband and dog to attend Augusta University for her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Krissy has always had a passion for working with kids, so it was an easy decision to join the Ducktails team right after graduating from AU in May 2021. Krissy has experience working with children diagnosed with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, Down syndrome, and ADHD. Her favorite hobbies include curling up to a good book/movie, being outdoors, and spending time with family.

susan wise

, COTA/L

Susan earned her Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia in 1991. Since graduating, Susan has worked at a local rehabilitation hospital in inpatient adults/pediatrics and outpatient pediatrics. She currently works at AU Medical Center in the outpatient setting in Children’s Hospital of Georgia with past experience in acute adults/pediatrics and inpatient adult/ pediatric psychiatry unit. Susan has been previously named Outstanding COTA of the year in the State of Georgia and Family Choice winner at AU Medical Center. She is currently on the advisory board for Augusta Technical College and serves as the Clinical Coordinator for OT/OTA fieldwork students and volunteers at AU. She holds modalities certification in Heat and Cold and maintains national certification and state licensure in Georgia. Susan has worked at Ducktails for 15 years. She enjoys working with patients of all ages and is experienced in treating a variety of diagnoses using a family centered approach
to facilitate overall development.

ducktails susan wise

erin caines

, COTA/L

Erin graduated from the University of South Carolina Aiken in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. She then went on to earn her Associate of Applied Science from Augusta Technical College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2021. She joined the Ducktails team in July of 2022. She has a passion for helping others and strives to help people of all ages live, learn, work, and play. On her time off, Erin enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

SPEECH THERAPISTS

jenny jordan

, M.S., CCC-SLP

Jenny graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2004 with a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She joined the team at Ducktails in September of 2009. Jenny is certified nationally by the American Speech and Hearing Association and specializes in early intervention, articulation and language development, and feeding disorders. She has worked with children and families for over 17 years and loves helping them reach their communication and feeding goals. When not working, Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, reading, and traveling.

karen boudet

, M.S.P., CCC-SLP

Karen Boudet graduated with her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology with a specialization in neurogenic communication disorders from the University of South Carolina. Karen has worked at Ducktails since 2013. She previously worked for the Columbia County Board of Education as an SLP. In addition to treating speech and language disorders, she is also able to provide skilled feeding therapy. Karen is one of only 2 providers in the area certified in pediatric Vital Stim therapy. Karen holds additional certificates in Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention and Talk Tools Oral Placement Therapy for speech clarity and feeding safety. In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

dallas hall

, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Dallas Hall joined the Ducktails team in March of 2022. She was born and raised in Macon, GA. She attended the University of Georgia and obtained her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Science in May 2017. She received her Master of Education in Speech Language Pathology from the University of West Georgia in July 2020. Her professional interests are in Augmented and Alternative Communication, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Expressive and Receptive language development, and Phonological Disorders. She loves working with children of all ages and engaging in play activities one on one to help them develop age-appropriate speech and language skills. When not at work, she can be found going on a walk with her husband and two rescue dogs or baking in the kitchen.