Together Everyone Achieves More

Speech / Language Pathologists

Christina Scalise-Morrissey, MS., CCC--SLP
​Founder & Director
​Licensed & Certified Speech/Language Pathologist and Feeding Therapist

Empowering children to be the very best they can be is what drives Christina.  Christina opened her private practice in 1997 after serving as the Creator and Department Head of Pediatric Therapy Services at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. Read more.

Carrie Peterson, MA., CCC--SLP
​Licensed and Certified Speech/Language Pathologist

Carrie is the lead teacher for our therapeutic preschool, Hummingbird Academy. The Academy provides a fun and nurturing environment accompanied by speech, occupational and physical therapy along with social skills incorporated into our educational curriculum. Read more.

Brenna Schillinger, MS., CCC--SLP
​Licensed and Certified Speech/Language Pathologist

Brenna has passion for helping children achieve their goals and enhancing their ability to communicate with others! She strives to make therapy a fun experience as well as a creating a nurturing environment to grow. Brenna strongly believes in a team approach and enjoys collaborating with Hummingbird colleagues, families and other professionals. Read more.

Annette Zielinski, MS., CCC--SLP
​Licensed and Certified Speech/Language Pathologist

Annette is a warm, fun-loving and dedicated therapist. Her compassion and concern for her children and families is evident in each of her sessions. Annette provides a challenging but enjoyable environment to ensure success for each one of her kiddos. Read more.

 Liz Braun, MS, CCC - SLP
Licensed and Certified Speech/Language Pathologist

Bio to come.

Judy Morris, MS., CCC - SLP
Licensed and Certified Speech/Language Pathologist

Bio to come.

Occupational Therapists

Adriana DiGianfillippo, MOT, OTR/L
​Licensed Occupational Therapist

Adriana focuses on providing a fun and captivating environment where children are actively engaged in therapy.  Her warm and kind-hearted spirit attracts even the most apprehensive child. Adriana’s child-directed approach to therapy is popular both with parents and children alike. Read more.

Jamie Johnson, MOT, OTR/L
​Licensed Occupational Therapist and Feeding Therapist

Jamie greets each of her kids with a warm and welcoming smile! She inspires family participation through her energetic and inviting charm. She enjoys working with children and their families to help each child reach their full potential. From fine motor activities like painting and cutting to gross motor activities like playing in our professionally designed sensory gym, Jamie tailors her therapy to each child’s needs. Read more.

Jenifer King, MOT, OTR/L
​Licensed Occupational Therapist

Jenifer is a pediatric occupational therapist who really enjoys helping kids!  She is committed to working closely with families and teachers to facilitate each child’s independence in school and in the home.  Jen has an unbelievable ability to get children working on their goals without them even realizing they are! Read more.

Physical Therapists

Marisa Raineri, DPT
​Licensed Physical Therapist

Marisa is a pediatric physical therapist who brings creativity and energy to each one of her sessions. She is dedicated to applying her unique experiences in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team, to provide quality care to her patients and families. Read more.

Laura Paszyna, MPT
Licensed Physical Therapist

Bio to come.

Sarah Randall, DPT
Licensed Physical Therapist

Bio to come.

Developmental Therapists

Evon Mucek, M.Ed
​Licensed Developmental Therapist

Evon is a very nurturing and caring therapist who is passionate about helping children. She has many years of experience working with children and their families. She looks at how a child is developing globally (cognitive skills, language and communication, social-emotional, behavioral, and gross and fine motor skills) and develops play activities to provide children with the tools they need to navigate their world. Read more.

Enrichment

Ed Newman
​Professional Animator

Ed, a retired professional animator, brings his incredible talent and compassionate heart here to Hummingbird. He has an extensive background, working for Hanna Barbera Studios, Disney and then creating his own animation company with his wife, Calabash Animation. Some of his most noted and well-known characters include: General Mills' Trix the Rabbit, The Honey Nut Bee, Lucky Charms Leprechaun and the Keebler Elves. He also worked on movies such as Pete's Dragon and Space Jam and the video series, Veggie Tales.
Ed is the leader of our animation classes, which allow children to explore their own creativity. Children create their own story, draw pictures and put it together into a short, animated video. Upon completion of the class, we have a movie night here at Hummingbird for all the young artists and their families to view their "movies" in our gym, turned movie theater. 
Ed's warm personality, creativity and unending patience make this class one of a kind!

Instructional Aides

Kaitlyn Daniels

Bio to come.

Neuropsychologists

Nichole L. Dawson, PhD

Dr. Dawson was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska.  She graduated with honors from the University of Iowa before pursuing her graduate education at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, specializing in pediatric neuropsychology. Read more.

Maribeth Rossini, PhD, NCSP

Dr. Rossini earned her doctoral degree from Loyola University Chicago.  She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and has an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a school psychology endorsement.  Dr. Rossini began her career working in the inner City of Chicago. Read more.

Child and Family Therapists

Sarah Ahlm, MA, LCSW
​Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sarah holds a Master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration.  She has been working with children and families for over 20 years specializing in understanding the impact of developmental differences on behavior.  Read more.

Bianca Dassinger, MA, LCSW
​Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Bianca holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from the Julius-Maximilians-Universität in Wűrzburg, Germany. She earned her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration where she focused her studies on clinical social work with a specialization in family support practice and school-based social work. Read more.

Others that help us take flight!

Linda Bernal​, MA
Family Advocate

Linda, our Family Advocate, warmly welcomes each family with her compassionate demeanor and contagious smile. She coordinates the schedule, assists with billing and insurance and introduces all to the family-centered environment that we strive to provide here at Hummingbird. Read more.

Amy Tinerella
​Director of Fun & Marketing

Amy Tinerella, Director of Fun! From planning the various activities for families and the staff, Amy also helps with the Hummingbird website and marketing efforts. She understands the importance of pediatric therapy as her son received services for many years. Amy is a part time employee but 100% committed to Hummingbird’s mission. Read more.