Site Navigation
LEND Trainees - Profiles and Contact
Current LEND Trainees (2009-2010):
Abby Basbagill, Special Education/Applied Behavior Analysis (2nd Year Trainee) |
Jody Wall, Medical Dietetics (2nd Year Trainee) |
Jena Altenburger, Medical Dietetics Jena earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Dayton in May 2008—Go Flyers! She is currently working on her Masters of Science in Allied Health Management through the Medical Dietetics Program in the School of Allied Medical Professions here at The Ohio State University. Jena is looking forward to her experience as a LEND trainee, where she will strengthen her skills in disability policy and providing nutrition services to children with disabilities. She will be spending much of her time in the Family Directed Clinic at the Nisonger Center, where she will work with families of children with developmental disabilities on nutritional concerns and supplement use. She will also be completing her thesis on the nutritional quality of diet in children with autism. Jena will graduate in June of 2010 in which she will sit for the registration exam to become a licensed dietitian. In the future, she hopes to utilize her nutrition education, management focus, and LEND training as a dietitian and advocate for disability. |
Ranita Anderson, Speech-Language Pathology Ranita earned her BA is Psychology and BS in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008. Her interest in developmental disabilities began in high school where she cared for two boys: one on the autism spectrum and the other with developmental delays. Since then she had the opportunity to work and volunteer in various settings with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ranita is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Upon graduation, she plans to work in a setting focused on early intervention for children with developmental disabilities or in the area of research for children with autism. |
Whitney Brooks, Psychology Whitney Brooks is a third-year Clinical Psychology doctoral student at The Ohio State University, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004 with a B.A. in psychology and has several years of experience working with individuals with ASD in service coordination and supported employment and supported living programs. Her research will focus on diagnosis and assessment of ASD in adults, and her clinical work will focus on assessment and social and vocational training for adults with ASD. After completing her degree, Whitney plans to pursue research and clinical work with individuals with ASD, focusing specifically on transition from adolescence to adulthood and treating dual diagnoses.inee. |
Emily Cass, Nursing Emily Cass completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Denison University in 2007. She is currently in her second year of the Graduate Entry Nursing program at Ohio State, and plans to practice as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner when she graduates in 2011. Her interest in individuals with developmental disabilities was fostered in large part through her experience working as a house parent for two developmentally disabled women in the context of a residential community called Share Foundation for the Handicapped. Though she has not yet settled on a specific area of clinical practice, she hopes that her experience as a LEND trainee will equip her to effectively care for children with disabilities in all contexts. |
Debby Griffith, Parent Advocacy Hello my name is Debby Griffith; I am the Parent Advocate Trainee. I’m very excited to start with LEND. Working with families going through diagnosis is something that has interested me for a long time. I have a wonderful family. I have been married to a very special man for 16 years Eric. We have two really great kids, Zachary 9 and Riley 8. Zachary was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum PDD-NOS just before his 3rd birthday. Riley and Zachary are both awesome kids and I feel honored to be there mom. I have always been an advocate for my both my children. Now I will be able to use what I have learned through the years to help other families going through the process of diagnosis. |
Amy Harsha, Speech-Language Pathology Amy earned her Bachelor of Science in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences from Ohio University in 2008. She is currently in her second year of the Masters program for Speech-Language Pathology. Her interests in developmental disabilities began when a family member was diagnosed with autism. Amy has done volunteer work with adults with developmental disabilities through mission trips and NSSLHA as an undergraduate. She later worked for Easter Seals as a summer camp coordinator for children with developmental disabilities, and took on a teaching role for a classroom of children each on the autism spectrum. This led Amy to pursue a path of education that would allow her to further explore her interests in developmental disabilities, more specifically, the autism spectrum disorders. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in a clinical or hospital setting with children with autism spectrum disorders. |
Tracy Henderson, Health Care Administration Tracy completed her Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from the University of Toledo in 2004. She began working within the field of developmental disabilities in 2003, focusing on dual diagnosis individuals with both mental illness and intellectual disabilities. Tracy is currently enrolled in the Master's of Public Health program focusing on Health Services Management and Policy at OSU. Tracy is primarily interested in how health care is delivered to those living in poverty and urban settings in the United States. Tracy would like to pursue a career in a non-profit health care setting or promoting health policy change and reform. |
Kimberly Regis, Nursing
Kimberly Regis earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from The Ohio State University, College of Nursing. She specializes and practices as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, Ohio), in the Section of Molecular and Human Genetics. Primarily her clinical practice involves the care of patients diagnosed with Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Her past nursing experience is in medical/surgical nursing, hematology, and teaching pediatric nursing. Currently Kimberly is a 2nd year student in the first class of Doctor of Nursing Practice in the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. Her research interests include chronic illness management and evidence-based interventions to facilitate self-care and life transitions for children with chronic illness including those with developmental disabilities. |
Daisha Seyfer, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics I am originally from Pierre, South Dakota. I obtained my BS from South Dakota State University in 2001 and MD from University of South Dakota in 2006. I completed residency in pediatrics at University of Iowa in June 2009. I am currently doing a fellowship in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. I am married to my husband Matt Finke of four years. I am a proud dog-mom to two rambunctious Lhasa Apsos. In my spare time I enjoy running, biking, travel, reading, and spending time with friends. |
Kristin Scheible, Occupational Therapy Kristin earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science degree in occupational therapy through the School of Allied Medical Professions. Kristin’s interest in developmental disabilities began when she joined an in-home treatment team for a child with autism while living in Buffalo. She has since worked with several children with autism spectrum disorders as part of various therapy teams as well as providing general childcare. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in early intervention dealing specifically with autism spectrum disorders. Kristin is looking forward to the experiences she will have through the LEND traineeship. |
Stephanie Stutler, Social Work Stephanie is a first year LEND trainee. She got her psychology degree from The Ohio State University in 2008. She is currently in her second year pursuing her Masters of Social Work degree and is planning to graduate June 2010. Thereafter, Stephanie plans on staying in Columbus working with the developmentally disabled community. She is honored to be a part of the Nisonger Center and is looking forward to all of the experiences she will gain as a social work LEND trainee. |
Angela Welch, Special Education I am a first-year Masters student in Special Education, focusing on Applied Behavior Analysis. After completing my degree, I plan to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and work with young children with autism spectrum disorders. I am particularly interested in the development of early communication and social skills for children with disabilities. I earned my licensure as an intervention specialist for students with moderate to intense disabilities, and taught in self-contained special education classrooms for three years. I have also worked in preschools settings with kids with autism, and currently provide in-home ABA therapy. Teaching is fascinating, rewarding, and challenging. The hard work and determination of my students has been a source of inspiration for me. At the same time, I’ve had a lot of fun, because kids with disabilities are most importantly just kids! I have also had the privilege of working with dedicated and courageous parents and grandparents, who have inspired me to be the best teacher I can be. I have a degree in biology, and originally planned to do research in molecular biology. During some volunteer and part-time job experiences during college, I had the opportunity to work with individuals with developmental disabilities, and found it to be rewarding and interesting. These experiences changed my professional path. Now, as I begin my studies in Applied Behavior Analysis, I can see my interest in experimentation and a scientific approach to answering questions combining with my passion for working with learners with special needs. |
Click here to view the former LEND Trainees
Apply to the LEND Program
Prospective LEND Trainees:
Application instructions for students and professionals interested in enrolling in the LEND Program.
Prospective Physical Therapy Residents:
Click here for more information, or
view the Residency Brochure. 
Core LEND Curriculum
Service Learning for Leadership
Trainee Resources
Current & Former LEND Trainees
Cultural & Linguistic Competence
in Family Supports
