Our Staff

Speech Therapy

Michelle Smith |  Assistant Director / Speech Language Pathologist

Hi I’m Michelle! I have been working as a Speech Language Pathologist since 2004. I graduated from East Carolina University with a Masters Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders the Spring of 2004. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard in Fall of 2007 as Lead SLP and happily took on the role of Assistant Director in the fall of 2015.

Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I worked in daycares, schools, Skilled Nursing facilities, and home environment settings. I enjoy working with children and adolescents with Developmental Delays, Autism, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Receptive and Expressive Language Delays, Articulation/Phonological Delays, and Reading/Writing Deficits.

As an Assistant Director, I have been grateful to lead such a talented and caring staff. I enjoy watching the children progress and fostering a positive workplace environment in which therapists and clients can thrive.

I have a wonderful husband, fun loving son, and 2 sweet dogs. I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, music, and being out doors. People would describe me as animated and energetic and that helps me connect and bond with the children I serve. Being a mother helps me gives me perspective when working with families and evaluating the best approach for a child.  I like to “think out of the box” and provide fun, engaging, and rewarding therapy for children.

Madison Freeman | Lead Speech Language Pathologist

Hi I’m Madison! I have been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2021. I graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Masters of Science in the Spring of 2021. I joined Pediatric Boulevard in Spring of 2023.

Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I worked in the daycare and private practice settings. I enjoy working with children and adolescents with limited language and have a passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, which allows them to unlock their unique voice!

In my free time, I enjoy thrifting, watching baseball, and exploring new places. People would describe me as devoted and that helps me develop a personal connection with the kids to best promote their growth!

Kate Dunlavey|  Speech Language Pathologist

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a Speech-Language Pathologist here at Pediatric Boulevard, and I joined the team in the summer of 2024. I earned my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the Medical University of South Carolina, where I had the opportunity to work with kids of all ages, from tiny infants to teens, in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

While I love helping with all kinds of speech and language goals, my biggest passions are infant/pediatric feeding and swallowing and early childhood language development.

Outside of work, you can usually find me exploring Charlotte with my husband, traveling to the beach, or at home snuggled up with our two cats. Fun fact: I love sharks teeth hunting!

Gabby Howard  |  Speech Language Pathologist

Hi I’m Gabby! I have been working as a speech-language pathologist since 2023. I graduated from Hampton University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and the University of Pittsburgh with a master’s degree in the spring of 2023. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard in summer of 2024.

Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I worked in the pediatric outpatient setting. I enjoy working with children and adolescents with: language, literacy, and speech sound disorders.

In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, crafting, reading, watching movies, going to the gym, and doing my hair and nails.

Olivia Bockenstedt  |  Speech Language Pathologist

Hi I’m Olivia! I began my career as a speech-language pathologist in June 2025 after earning my Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard team in the summer of 2025.

Before joining Pediatric Boulevard, I gained valuable experience in both private practice and outpatient clinic settings. I enjoy working with children and adolescents to strengthen their expressive and receptive language, enhance social communication skills, support feeding development, and help them find their voice through AAC.

In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, crafting, and spending time with friends/family. People would describe me as creative, optimistic, and supportive which helps me build strong connections and foster meaningful growth in all of the kiddos we see!

Marianne Carnes  |  Speech Language PathologistAssistant

Hi I’m Marianne! I have been working as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant since 2020. I graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders in the spring of 2020. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard in spring of 2025.

Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I worked in home health in daycares and home environment settings. I enjoy working with children and adolescents with: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Language delay, Early intervention population, Reading, Phonological, and Articulation disorders.

I have a Great Pyrenees named Luke, enjoy crochet, house plants, gardening, and trying new foods. People would describe me as creative and that helps me work with motivating clients to reach their goals.

Toinette Laguerre-Director | Speech Language Pathologist

I am a Speech-Language Pathologist and the Director of Pediatric Boulevard. In 2006, I was the director of Spoken Precision, which was solely a traveling speech language pathology practice. After growing the practice to include 25 therapists, speech, occupational, and physical therapy services, I wanted a new name and home for our awesome multidisciplinary staff. Pediatric Boulevard’s outpatient therapy clinic was born in June of 2011. Now, our services include 15 licensed professionals that can address the “whole child” under one roof!

I graduated from Gallaudet University with a MS in Speech Language Pathology with a focus on Deaf children. I am fluent in sign language and when I practiced as a SLP, I enjoyed working with the Deaf population. I love vacationing, scuba diving, and spending time with my husband and two children.

As the director, I love overseeing such a dynamic group of individuals who all have the same passion for working with children. I take pride in seeing the smiling faces of the children and parents that we work with on a daily basis. I greatly admire all of the parents that take time out of their schedules to bring the children in for the services that will help them succeed in everyday life. Second to being a mom/wife, this is one of the most honorable and rewarding positions that I could ask for.

Physical Therapy

Teri Lavallee | Lead Physical Therapist

Regina Murnane |  Physical Therapist

Regina Murnane earned her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Science and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Alvernia University, in Reading PA.

Regina has provided physical therapy services to a wide range of patient populations in the outpatient clinic setting, school setting, and early intervention home health setting. She has focused her practice as a PT in pediatrics and is motivated by her passion for connecting with parents and easing the burdens in parenthood through education and empowerment for positive change in their child’s life.

After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2023, Regina joined Pediatric Boulevard in December of 2024. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, laying by the pool, and playing piano (very poorly).

Occupational Therapy

                                                                 Jessica Bailey | OT LEAD, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Hi I’m Jess! I have been working as a COTA since 2016. I graduated from Keiser University with a degree in Occupational therapy in May 2016. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard in summer of 2024.

Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I worked in community based and outpatient pediatric settings. I enjoy working with children and adolescents with Down Syndrome and ASD. Also, I stepped into the OT team lead role in September 2025. I am married to my husband Jim, we have a daughter Olivia, and a mini goldendoodle named George. I grew up in Florida, but have lived in upstate New York, Gilbert, Arizona, and now North Carolina.

The team describes me as thoughtful, creative, generous, and dependable. This helps me be the best therapist to my kiddos with coming up with creative activities and ideas, as well as being a good friend and resource for the team!

Keondra Jones | Occupational Therapist

Hi I’m Keondra! I have been working as an occupational therapist since 2020. I graduated from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2017 and from Lenoir-Rhyne University with a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in the fall of 2020. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard team in summer of 2023.

Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I worked in private clinics, daycares, schools, and home environment settings. I enjoy working with children and adolescents to improve developmental delay, self-care skills, and visual-motor skills. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing volleyball, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys!

People would describe me as caring and patient, and that helps me to provide a just right challenge to improve overall independence for the kids that we see!

Meredith Applegate| Occupational Therapist

Hi I’m Meredith! I have been working as an OT since 2024. I graduated from Pfeiffer University with a masters in occupational therapy in the winter of 2023. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard in August of 2024.

I enjoy working with children of all diagnoses. I have a dog named Bear and I love to swim! People would describe me as charismatic and that helps me build meaningful relationships with my clients and families.

Isha Zaghari | Occupational Therapist

Hi I’m Isha Zaghari! I have been working as an Occupational Therapist since 2024. I graduated from Wingate University with a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree in the spring of 2024. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard team in fall of 2024.

Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I worked in the inpatient rehab setting with the adult population. I enjoy working with children and adolescents of all diagnoses to ensure they are on track to achieving their developmental milestones! I have 3 cats, love all things arts and crafts, and enjoy traveling.

People would describe me as compassionate person and that allows me to build trusting relationships with my kids and their families.

Abby Fremer| Occupational Therapist

Hi I’m Abby! I have been working as an occupational therapist since May 2025. I graduated from Pfeiffer University with a Masters degree in the fall of 2024. I joined the Pediatric Boulevard in May 2025. Prior to joining the Pediatric Boulevard team, I fieldworks in daycares/schools/home environment and rehab settings. I enjoy working with children and adolescents with : ASD and feeding disorders. I have a big interest in feeding disorders and feeding therapy interventions.

I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia! I have a younger sister and am very family oriented and love adventures.

People would describe me as helpful, funny, kind, and gracious and that helps me to be a good therapist and be adaptive and creative in my sessions!

Front Office 

Ana L. Montoya  |  Medical Records/Billing/Insurance/Interpreter

Hello my name is Ana. I am the Lead Billing specialist at Pediatric Boulevard I integrated the team in October 2011 and was promoted to Lead Billing Specialist in the fall of 2019; I have worked in the customer service area.

Although it is the first time working as an interpreter, I have always like to work with children and to help people who do not know the language to communicate with others .

I love my job and I enjoy working with the Pediatric Boulevard team. I have four lovely boys that keep me very busy. I love spending time with them; they are the ones that keep me steady.

Laura Hernandez  |  Front Desk Administration