Maggie Carbajal, M.Ed.
AzEIP Coordinator, Lead DSI

Maggie has been working as a Service Coordinator with AzEIP since April of 2010. Maggie’s daughter is an AzEIP success story and Maggie knows first- hand the value of the AzEIP program and the difference it can make in a family's life. Maggie has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling from NAU. She is fluent in Spanish.  Maggie has lived in the Flagstaff area for over 10 years and enjoys what the area has to offer.  Maggie enjoys her job because it gives her the opportunity to work with families and serve children. 

Lissa Buyske, M.A. CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist

Lissa earned a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She specializes in early intervention and feeding. Lissa has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in a variety of places with diverse populations including refugee camps in Thailand, Native American families in New Mexico and Arizona, a children’s clinic in Seattle, as well as in schools and homes in New Zealand and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Lissa is also a Master Gardener and enjoys teaching children and families the value of growing plants and vegetables in a community.

Meggan Brownfield, M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist

Meggan earned a B.S. in Social Work from Creighton University in Omaha and a Master of Science in Clinical Speech Pathology from Northern Arizona University. Meggan specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and early intervention. She serves AzEIP clients in Flagstaff and in the Hopi region.

Sara Clancey, MOTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Sara is a graduate of Duquesne University where she earned a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Occupational Therapy. Sara specializes in sensory integration and early intervention and working with children of all ages. She has been practicing OT since 2004. Sara serves as the lead OT for NRTA.  She serves AzEIP clients in Flagstaff.

Julie De Groff, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Julie earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois in Chicago, Illinois. She specializes in motor control difficulties, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays and family education and support. Julie currently works for AzEIP in Western Coconino County.

Alissa Jones, PT
Physical Therapist

​Alissa earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.  She has additional training in EMT, and in basic and conversational American Sign Language.  Alissa has continued her education in feeding, the MOVE program (mobility opportunities via education), Reiki, Positive Behavioral Support, Autism conferences, and e-ieppro.  She has been practicing pediatric physical therapy for over eight years.  Alissa currently serves the Page area and the Northern half of the Navajo Nation.

Tracy Norris, MS
​AzEIP Support Coordinator
Developmental Special Instructionist

Tracy earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Applied Clinical Psychology from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. She is in the process of working on a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tracy has worked with children and families for over thirty years. She works with AzEIP on the Flagstaff and Hopi teams.

Carrie Schuessler, PT
Physical Therapist

​Carrie has been practicing Physical Therapy in Northern Arizona since 2001. She is also a certified early interventionist. She specializes in working with infants and children with a variety of medical conditions. She graduated with her BS in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997 and her Masters in Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University in 2001. She enjoys traveling and working with the diverse cultures in Northern Arizona.  She enjoys running, triathlons, piano, and the outdoors with family.

Lizzette Melis, M.Ed.
Developmental Special Instructionist

​Lizette has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from UC Santa Barbara, and a Master of Education in Special Education and Early Childhood Development from Northern Arizona University.  She also has a Masters of Arts in Human Resource Development. She has experience with AzEIP, as a service coordinator, and as a car seat technician and instructor.  She is a native Spanish speaker. She was born and raised in Mexico City. She has twin teens. She loves to bicycle, travel, work, and spend time with family and friends.

Bernadette Pierson, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Bernadette is a graduate of Mount Mary College in Milwaukee and has been practicing OT since 1990.  She has worked in an acute care hospital as well as outpatient services for hand patients.  She currently specializes in oral motor skills, vestibular techniques for visual motor skills, sensory processing, Myofacial Release, and energy work as a Reiki Master. Bernadette provides services in Page.

Julie Stone, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist

Julie earned a M.S. in Exercise Science and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of South Carolina. Julie has practiced in a variety of forums, including working with children and senior citizens. She has also worked with Core Balance and a variety of rehabilitation centers in Western Coconino County.

Bianca Anderson, M.S., R.D.

Bianca Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Arizona, Tucson. She earned a Master of Science in Nutrition from Arizona State University in Phoenix. She also completed her dietetic internship at Arizona State. Bianca speaks both Spanish and English. She has experience in pediatric nutrition and works with children of all ages and their families. Bianca loves sharing her love of fruits and veggies. She also likes to hike, do yoga, and spend time with her family.

Aimee Walton, M.S. CCC-SLP

Aimee earned a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She specializes in working with children with articulation, fluency, feeding, and swallowing disorders. Aimee serves AzEIP clients in Flagstaff and Western Coconino County.

Ellen Furr, PT, DPT

Ellen earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Ellen specializes in neuromuscular and musculoskeletal therapy. She has been working in the schools for over 30 years and loves working with kids of all ages and has been a great supporter of Special Olympics. In her spare time Ellen loves soccer, sewing, traveling, reading and family. She especially loves hosting foreign exchange students and introducing them to the Flagstaff area.

Maureen "Mo" Russell, PhD, OTR/L,
Business Consultant

​Mo recently earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing and Healthcare Innovation from Arizona State University. She earned a Master of Healthcare Innovation from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. Mo specializes in pediatric occupational therapy and sensory integration. She has been a practicing OT for over thirty years. Mo owned Northland- Rural Therapy Associates until July, 2011.  She has since sold NRTA and remains an OT for NRTA.

Robinette Bullard, MA
AzEIP Support Coordinator
Developmental Special Instructionist

​Robin holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Robin also holds an Early Childhood Special Education endorsement. Her experience includes teaching special education and preschool, being a coordinator for Special Olympics, and being a youth leader for Odyssey of the Mind.  She lives in Page and works with AzEIP on the Page team.

Ann Lehn, M.S. CCC-SLP

Ann Lehn earned a Bachelor of Science, Speech-Language Pathology with an emphasis in audiology, and a Master of Science, Speech-Language Pathology at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ.  She has been a practicing SLP for over nineteen years.  Ann specializes in literacy and phonological awareness.  She has also worked at the Flagstaff Medical Center in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the Special Care Nursery, as well as in the Caring Canines unit.

​Lynn Hickman, M.S. CCC-SLP

​Lynn Hickman earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Science in Clinical Speech Pathology from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. She specializes in speech/language deficits and swallowing disorders. Lynn is certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) for people with Parkinson’s disease. She has worked with clients of all ages including early intervention with infants and toddlers as well as geriatrics. In her spare time Lynn enjoys hiking, camping, and time with her family and dogs.

Tom Cosner, PT and Owner/Director

Tom earned his B.S. from Northern Arizona University in Zoology and his Masters of Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University. He has been practicing in Northern Arizona since 1998 and specializes in Physical Therapy with emphasis on Pediatrics and Neurological and gait training, sensory integration, and play based therapy. He currently provides services in Flagstaff and its surrounding areas. As of 7/1/2011 he is the Owner/Director of NRTA.

Shannon Cosner
​AzEIP Support Coordinator
Developmental Special Instructionist

Shannon earned her B.S. in Psychology from Northern Arizona University in 1997.  She is the Business Manager at NRTA and pays the bills.  She has been with NRTA in some capacity since 2004. As of 7/1/2011 she is the Owner/Business Manager of NRTA. She is also a full time mom and chauffeur to her and Tom's two daughters, Aspen and Rowan.