Meet Our Staff
Mary Kate Gillispie, OTR/L
Managing Partner, Lead Occupational Therapist
Background Information
Mary Kate attended Tennessee State University receiving her Master’s in Occupational Therapy, where she also sat on the Student Occupational Therapy Board. Prior to that, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tennessee Technological University. Mary Kate completed her Level II clinical placement at Little Hands Little Feet Pediatric Therapies and returned to begin working here upon graduation. Along with working at Little Hands Little Feet, she has experience working with multiple school systems, including lead evaluating therapist for 5+ years. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Mary Kate worked at a non-profit specifically created for children with disabilities. She has participated in multiple therapy trips abroad and providing care for individuals with disabilities in remote and rural areas.
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Mary Kate became the Managing Partner at Little Hands Little Feet Pediatric Therapies in 2018 and has continued to place great importance on providing exceptional therapeutic services in all disciplines. She believes strongly that by fostering an environment that is client centered first, you are able to provide superior services for the patient and allow therapists to find the most joy in their jobs.
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Currently, Mary Kate is in the process of completing her certification for the EASI (Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration). Upon completion, she plans to introduce a multi-disciplinary sensory integration approach that is evidence based and data driven to the surrounding areas alongside her fellow therapists at LHLF.
Certifications + Areas of Interest:
Physical Agent Modalities
SOS Approach to Feeding
Handwriting Without Tears
Myofascial Release -- MFR I and II
Beckman Oral Motor
Sensory integration, primitive reflex integration, and learning disabilities
Paula Pierce
Assistant Clinical Coordinator
Paula worked for 25 years in a variety of roles across three school systems in the state of Tennessee. These roles included RTI intervention and serving as a related services assistant in Putnam County for Occupational Therapy. After transitioning from her role in Putnam County, she joined Mary Kate at Little Hands Little Feet. Paula has grown in her role from administrative assistant to taking on portions of business operations, including referral coordination and medical billing.
Paula and her husband, Kenny, love to take on projects together at home and the clinic. She enjoys spending time gardening, is actively involved in her church, and can often be found with her 2 grand children at competitive cheerleading competitions. ​
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She is referred to as our MVP (Most Valuable Paula) and she is an indispensable part of our team. She will always meet you with a smiling face and servant's heart when you walk up to the front desk!
Alyssa Szatmary, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Alyssa Szatmary graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in August of 2023 receiving her Master's in Occupational Therapy. Alyssa was a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) for 6 years at Little Hands Little Feet Pediatric Therapies before she transitioned into an evaluating role. Alyssa began her pediatric career at Little Hands Little Feet Pediatric Therapies in 2017 where she completed her level II fieldwork and began working the summer after graduation. Alyssa became interested in occupational therapy after her dad had to receive both physical and occupational therapy services after a car accident and she noticed as a child what a difference his therapist made in his independence in daily activities. She is currently working on obtaining her CLASI certification for Sensory Integration.
Certifications and Areas of Interest:
Certified Childhood Trauma Consultant
Physical Agent Modalities
Handwriting Without Tears
Myofascial Release -- MFR I and Pediatrics
Beckman Oral Motor
Feeding, Torticollis, Emotional Regulation, Sensory Integration, Primitive Reflex Integration, and Executive Functioning Skills.
Ally Grayce
Therapy Dog
Kymm Sherman Lee, pt, DPT, MSPT
Physical Therapist
Kymm has been practicing as a pediatric physical therapist for over 30 years. Kymm graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy December, 2023 from The College of St Scholastica, in Duluth, MN. Kymm graduated with her advanced Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Tennessee at Memphis in 2003 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1993 from the University of Tennessee at Memphis. Kymm became a board-certified clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy in 2002. Kymm has worked in almost all areas of pediatric physical therapy including acute care, ICU, TCU, spasticity management clinic, spina bifida clinic, school-based therapy, home health care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient rehab at various hospital and outpatient settings, including LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center and Vanderbilt’s pediatric home health. Kymm is an APTA certified clinical instructor and has performed numerous presentations to physical therapy students across the state. Kymm is an adjunct instructor at Tennessee Technological University in the College of Education, Curriculum and Instruction Department, where she teaches a class on management and support services for children with orthopedic, motor, and health impairments.
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Kymm has attended numerous courses on Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT), including the baby, handling intensive, and gait courses. Kymm has also attended numerous courses on breathing and respiration, neuroplasticity and brain development, myofascial release, sensory integration, dynamic splinting, Cascade DAFOs, Surestep AFOs, spasticity management, developmental delays, torticollis, and is certified in dry needling of the lower extremities. Kymm recently completed her CASI Certification (Certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration) through CLASI.
Kymm is currently in training with her dog, Ally Grayce, to become a certified therapy dog. Kymm is married to her husband of 30 years, Darrell, and they have 3 dogs, Manny, Max, and Ally. Kymm and her husband love to travel and have visited all 50 states, 35 national parks, and 20 countries. They love to hike, kayak, and be outdoors.
Denise Enochs COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Denise Enochs, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), graduated from Nashville State Community College in 2011. She has worked full-time at Putnam County Schools and part-time at Little Hands Little Feet Pediatric Therapies.
Denise became interested in occupational therapy when she saw the dramatic improvement in her son following occupational therapy services, most notably with the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol. When her children were older and she made the decision to return to school, she knew she wanted to complete her degree in occupational therapy in order to make a difference in children’s lives. Denise states seeing a child bloom and become able to overcome their challenges through occupational therapy is incredibly rewarding.
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Denise is certified in Thermal Agents. She has also attended numerous courses in Sensory Integration, Sensory Diets, Motor Planning, School-based Occupational Therapy, Autism, Down Syndrome, and Executive Functioning Skills.
Nicole Gay, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Nicole Gay, Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA), graduated from Vol State Community College in 2016. Prior to, she graduated from Tennessee Tech with her BS in Exercise Science in 2013. She worked fulltime at an outpatient clinic for six years before joining Little Hands Little Feet Pediatric Therapies. Since starting at Little Hands Little Feet, she has gained experience in areas such as torticollis, developmental delay, handling techniques, motor planning, and general strengthening. Nicole's background in orthopedics allows her to provide a higher level of intervention to the pediatric population in this specialty.
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Nicole's super power is her endless energy, which she puts to good use with her four children. Additionally, Nicole is a jack of all trades when it comes to crafting. She brings this creativity into her therapy sessions as well.
Nicole Gay
Physical Therapy Assistant
Bio to come
Danielle Geer
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Denise Enochs, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), graduated from Nashville State Community College in 2011. She has worked full-time at Putnam County Schools and part-time at Little Hands Little Feet Pediatric Therapies.
Denise became interested in occupational therapy when she saw the dramatic improvement in her son following occupational therapy services, most notably with the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol. When her children were older and she made the decision to return to school, she knew she wanted to complete her degree in occupational therapy in order to make a difference in children’s lives. Denise states seeing a child bloom and become able to overcome their challenges through occupational therapy is incredibly rewarding.
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Denise is certified in Thermal Agents. She has also attended numerous courses in Sensory Integration, Sensory Diets, Motor Planning, School-based Occupational Therapy, Autism, Down Syndrome, and Executive Functioning Skills.
Rebecca SMith, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Rebecca (or Ms. Becca as the kiddos refer to her) is a Knoxville, TN native. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Carson Newman University in Psychology. Following her Bachelor’s, she obtained an Associate of Science degree from South University for Physical Therapist Assistant.
Rebecca’s initial interest in the field of physical therapy began when she participated in a medical mission trip to Brazil with her church. Rebecca has experience in a variety of settings and various populations, including community-based pediatrics, acute care, in-patient rehabilitation, home health, and outpatient pediatrics. Beyond treatment, Rebecca has influenced her profession outside of the clinical setting. She was an instructor for the PTA program at South College, and held the position of Clinical Coordinator within their program.
Outside of the clinic, you can find Rebecca attending church, taking trips in her Jeep, attending and attending concerts. She enjoys listening to audiobooks, spending quality time with her amazing kids, and loving on her four pets. We love that she is actively on the quest for the perfect slice of pizza (as well all should be). You may see her around town walking her 2 dogs Buddy & Olive!
Hannah Stafford, COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Hannah graduated from Nashville State Community College with her Associate’s of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistance program. She has always had an interest in the pediatric population specifically. Hannah completed her fieldwork placements with Putnam County School System for her Level II placement, and Little Hands Little Feet for a Level I placement. Hannah has many great qualities, but what sets her apart from others is her passion for learning and adaptability with sessions. We are excited to watch Hannah’s clinical knowledge and experience grow with us at Little Hands Little Feet!
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Hannah is engaged to her high school sweetheart, and recently introduced their sweet baby girl to the world. Additionally, they have a golden retriever who they take along for all their adventures when spending time with their families.
Coming Soon!
Maura Brewer, C-SLDI
Educational Support Specialist
Maura Brewer graduated with her bachelor's in Special Education in May of 2022. She has completed a Foundations of Literacy and Integration of Literacy courses through SMILA (Simultaneous Multi-sensory Institute of Language Arts). She is a certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist. She provides simultaneous multisensory direct instruction for both math and reading. She loves watching students grow and accomplish academic goals.
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Maura lives in Cookeville, TN with her husband, Noah. They take advantage of all the parks in the area and love to hike and camp.