Learn About Our Team

Let the healthcare providers at Palmetto SpOT help find the right solution for you. Our commitment to better communication through speech and occupational therapies is enhanced with our team's dedication to developing strategies based on your needs. A convenient location in Summerville with exceptional services adds to the effectiveness of the care we offer you, your family and loved ones.

The Palmetto SpOT Team

Dr. Kristen Bish

Audiologist / CEO

Dr. Kristen Bish is a board-certified Doctor of Audiology. She received her master's degree in Audiology in 1998 from the University of Buffalo. After practicing for five years, she continued her education and received her AuD. degree in 2005. She had been practicing in a small, private office in Mount Pleasant for four years prior to opening Palmetto Audiology and Speech Therapy, now Palmetto SpOT, in 2006.

Outside the office, Dr. Bish enjoys spending time with her husband, Darin and children, Brianna, Connor and Katherine.

Andrea Pilch

OTR Occupational Therapist

Andrea is a certified occupational therapist and has practiced since 1998. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned two bachelor's degrees in Biology and Psychology. She gained her master's degree in Health Sciences and Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina.

She has worked in multiple settings to include acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, and outpatient care. Andrea enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Shahd Ajlani

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Shahd Ajlani is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and a South Carolina native. She grew up in Columbia and came to Charleston to attend Trident Technical College in 2020. She has experience in multiple settings, including outpatient, home health, and inpatient rehabilitation. Shahd enjoys spending time outside, painting, visiting friends and family, and relaxing with her cat Roxi on her time off. She looks forward to meeting the families at Palmetto Spot!

Abbie Argirakis

M.S. CCC-SLP

Abbie is a licensed speech and language pathologist under the American Speech and Hearing Association. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, but has moved around her entire life growing up. She attended California University of Pennsylvania for her Undergraduate and Graduate degrees. Abbie moved to Charleston in 2020 with her husband, 3 cats, and 2 dogs! She has been working as a pediatric SLP in both the home and clinic setting. Her passions include helping children with Alternative and Augmentative Communication Devices (AAC), Autism, and complex communication needs. In her free time, Abbie enjoys reading, cooking, and helping out the local animal shelter!”

Lisa Baxter, MA

CCC-SLP Speech
Language Pathologist

Lisa was born in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to South Carolina in 1990. She attended Loyola University in Maryland and received an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology. From there, Lisa attended Ohio University for graduate school and obtained her master's in Hearing and Speech Science when dinosaurs roamed the earth! Actually, that was in 1989.

Lisa is ASHA certified and licensed by the state of South Carolina. She has worked in many settings including hospitals, nursing homes, home health, schools and clinics. She has also had experience working with people from 3 months to 105 years old. In her spare time, she enjoys jazz, scuba diving and watching movies.

Emily Brain, MA

CCC-SLP Speech
Language Pathologist

Emily received her undergraduate degree from Kent State University in Ohio, with a major in Human Development and Family Studies. After working as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator for three years, Emily returned to school to complete a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Akron. During this time, Emily participated in the Graduate Consortium in Listening and Spoken Language, which focused on auditory-verbal therapy for children and adults who have hearing loss. Upon graduation, Emily moved to Charleston and began her career as a clinical fellow at Palmetto Audiology and Speech Therapy. In her free time, Emily enjoys going to the beach, and she is looking forward to winters with much less snow!!

Lindsey Burkey

SLP

Lindsey is a licensed speech and language pathologist under the American Speech and Hearing Association. Lindsey is originally a New Englander but moved down south two years ago after receiving her master's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She attended undergraduate school at the University of Vermont, where she enjoyed hiking, snowboarding, and learning how to make maple syrup. Lindsey has always had a passion for working with children of all ages and loves the diversity within the field of speech therapy. She has experience working with children from various backgrounds with different communication needs. She especially loves treating those who utilize alternative augmentative communication, including low and high-tech modalities. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her fiancé and dogs, going on boat rides, and exploring new areas around Charleston. Lindsey is excited to continue her career with Palmetto SpOT and get to know each of her families more!

Charlene DeJoseph

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Charlene DeJoseph 'Char' is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, graduating from Trident Technical College in 2018. She came down to Charleston from the Philadelphia area to study at the College of Charleston, where she received her Bachelors in Physical Education with a concentration in Health Promotion. Char has experience in multiple settings, including acute care, outpatient, and home health. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, playing soccer, reading, working out, and spending time with friends and family.

Danielle Hall, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Danielle is an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist. To add, the SC Board of Examiners licenses her in Speech-Language Pathology. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology & Audiology from South Carolina State University. Danielle has had the opportunity to work in the public school setting as an elementary SLP. She has various experiences working with children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Autism Spectrum disorder, and those who are developmentally delayed. In speech therapy, Danielle often incorporates literacy-based activities and arts & crafts to share her love of books and creativity with her clients! She enjoys doing DIY Personalized Gifts and arts & crafts, watching new shows/movies, and traveling in her spare time.

Michelle Hardin, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Michelle has over twenty years of experience working in pediatrics as an ASHA certified and state licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She has worked both in the early intervention setting and elementary school setting. Michelle earned her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After working in Milwaukee for several years and starting her family, Michelle moved to the Summerville area with her husband and three daughters in 2008. Since arriving in the area, Michelle has had the opportunity to work in the public school setting at an elementary school and with Child Find. She loves giving children their voice to express themselves, especially through early language and phonological development. When she is not working, Michelle loves visiting the beach and mountains with her family and watching Marvel movies with her daughters.

Dr. Katherine Jones

OTD, OTR/L

Bio: Katherine is a board-certified occupational therapist who received her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Methodist University in North Carolina after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Winthrop University. Katherine’s graduate research was focused on maternal wellbeing, lactation, parental inclusion in pediatric therapy, and NICU care. She has experience working with children with various diagnoses in both outpatient and school-based settings, as well as adults in acute and home health settings. A Charleston native, she returned to her hometown to help children of all ages and diagnoses learn, play, and grow to their greatest potential. In her free time, Katherine enjoys raising her daughter, traveling to baseball cities for her husband’s job, and doing DIY projects around her house.

Amanda Matsumoto, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Amanda Matsumoto is a Chicago native and moved to South Carolina to attend Charleston Southern University for college while also playing Division 1 softball. She received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. There she completed various adult and pediatric clinical placements while also completing a Master's thesis on hearing loss in children. After graduation, she completed her clinical fellowship in Indiana at a pediatric clinic specializing in autism and developmental disabilities. Amanda is certified nationally by ASHA and the state of South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, visiting MLB parks, playing sports, paddle boarding, and coaching baseball for children with special needs.

Ashley Patton, MS, CFY-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Ashley was born and raised right outside Nashville, TN. She earned her Bachelors as well as her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Tennessee. Ashley gained experience in evaluating and treating patients of all ages in schools, geriatric outpatient, and pediatric outpatient settings during her studies. Ashley has a special interest in working with children who stutter, and attends stuttering support groups. In her free time, Ashley enjoys traveling, walking on the beach, doing DIY gifts on her Cricut, and reading. Additionally, Ashley is a big fan of all Tennessee sports teams, especially the Tennessee Vols.

LaRena Powers

Occupational Therapy Assistant

LaRena is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She graduated from Trident Technical College in 1998. She has spent most of her career as a school-based therapist, serving kids from pre-K to high school with various diagnoses. She has experience in baby net, outpatient, home health, skilled nursing, and acute care. Her passion is helping kids reach their full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She likes to travel, do antique shopping, read, and do amateur photography. She has two dogs named Dakota and Daisy and a grand dog named Luna.

Jessica Riedy, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Jessica is a certified Speech Language Pathologist with over 14 years of experience. Jessica earned her Master's degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Minnesota. She arrived in the Charleston area with her husband in 2009 and has since welcomed three daughters into her family. In addition to treating children with articulation and phonological impairments, Jessica has experience providing therapy for a wide variety of clinical populations including children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down's syndrome, and other developmental delays. She has facilitated fluency groups for people who stutter and social skills groups for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as contributed clinical evaluations to an interdisciplinary cleft palate and craniofacial treatment team. Jessica enjoys incorporating literacy into therapy and hopes that, with her enthusiasm, each of her clients will love books a little more after working with her.

Monica Russell

COTA-L

Born and raised in South Carolina, Monica was first introduced to pediatrics through ABA. After working in Behavioral therapy for eight years and co-treating with Occupational Therapy, she decided to pursue a career in this field. She completed the OTA program at Trident Technical College in 2017. She enjoys family movie nights with her son and nephews and crafting and DIY home projects. "My goal in life is to aid as many children as I can in finding their way in the world!”

Morgan Serwat

Speech Therapist

Originally from Chicago, Morgan is a northerner turned southern when she received her undergraduate degree from Clemson University and Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Georgia. She has always had an interest in helping others and became a speech pathologist to achieve that goal. Before joining Palmetto Spot, she worked in private practices, schools, and hospitals outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Morgan's passion lies with supporting clients with Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices, feeding difficulties, and complex communication needs. However, she has experience in treating both pediatric and adult clients with a variety of diagnoses. Morgan holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence and is licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology. Morgan is also Beckman Oral Motor Training certified. On her time off, Morgan enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen, reading, traveling to new cities, and running. She looks forward to meeting and supporting the families at Palmetto Spot to meet their communication and feeding goals!

Angel Sherrod

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Angel Sherrod is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and a South Carolina native. She earned her degree from Trident Technical College in 2022. She has worked in multiple settings including outpatient and acute care. In her free time, Angel enjoys reading, cheering on the Clemson Tigers, and spending time with her family.

Amanda Snyder, MOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Amanda Snyder is a registered occupational therapist under the National Board of Occupational Therapy and licensed in SC. She received her bachelor's degree in Science of Kinesiology, emphasizing Exercise Science at Georgia Southern University. She continued her education by receiving her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. It has always been a passion of Amanda's to work within the pediatric population and help conquer any difficulties. She has experience working with children of all ages with many diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, stroke, sensory processing disorder, attention deficit disorder, and many more. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, and walking the beach with her dog, Eleanor.

Julie Weber, MSP CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Julie was born and raised in Summerville, South Carolina. Julie received both her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and her Master of Speech Pathology with a concentration in auditory-verbal and aural rehabilitation therapy from the University of South Carolina. Since graduation, Julie has worked in the public school setting service students ages three to 2, as well as supervising graduate students from the University of South Carolina and SC State University. Julie holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence and is licensed by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology. In 2016, Julie returned to the Summerville area with her husband and two children. Julie loves reading, college football, and spending time with her family.

Jenna Whitman

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Jenna received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the College of Charleston in 2018. After graduating, Jenna worked as an Early Interventionist before deciding to go back to school to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Jenna is a South Carolina native and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and animals.

Savannah Fletcher

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Savannah is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, graduated from Tirdent Techincal college here in South Carolina. Originally from West Michigan, Savannah has lived here in Summerville since 2018. She has experience in both Pediatric Outpatient and School settings, as well as Geriatric inpatient rehabilitation. Outside of work, Savannah enjoys spending time with her family outside, creating new sewing projects, and searching for good gluten free restaurants around CHS.