Meet Our Clinic Team
Our Mission
Our mission is to foster children’s growth and development in a fun and engaging way while empowering parents to confidently support their children’s needs.
Our Vision
Our Vision is to accelerate the connection and bond between parent and child – one parent, one child, one family unit, one session at a time.
Clinic Team Core Value
Collaboration
We work closely with families, other healthcare providers, and educators to achieve the best outcomes for children.
Education
We are committed to empowering parents and caregivers through education and personalized support.
Fostering Family Connections
We create a supportive environment where families can share experiences, gain insights, and grow together.
CEO, Founder, Administrator & Physical Therapist Lisa.Tarr@FirstStepsPediatric.com
Speech-Language Pathologist & Clinic Director Nikki is originally from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She holds a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the Metropolitan State University of Denver, and a master's degree in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology from Northern Arizona University. With extensive clinical experience in diverse settings such as hospitals, neonatal intensive care units, private practices, and schools, Nikki has worked with both pediatric and adult populations, including individuals from multicultural and/or multilinguistic backgrounds. She has completed over 60 hours of Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy™ training accredited by the International Dyslexia Association and has a passion for working with children who have dyslexia or reading difficulties. She finds joy in witnessing individuals and families thrive as they progress towards their goals in areas such as reading/literacy, language, articulation/phonology, feeding/swallowing, social skills, fluency, and childhood apraxia of speech. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Colorado with her rescue pup, Sadie! Nikki.Taras@FirstStepsPediatric.com
Physical Therapy Assistant Connie has worked as a PTA for over 20 years. She started in outpatient clinics and helped in work comp Injuries and orthopedics, then moved to home health in geriatrics and met many wonderful people with such great stories! She started in pediatric therapy when her children were transitioning out of the toddler stage, and it is a great fit for her. Connie can bring her "mommy knowledge" and physical therapy experience to help families that have challenges. A home environment is where a child will thrive, and she feels blessed to be invited into so many homes.
Physical Therapist Pam hails from the Midwest, graduating from William Jewell College with a BS in Science in 1977 prior to completing a degree in Physical Therapy at Kansas University in 1978. Aside from 2 years of experience at a rehabilitation/acute care hospital, she has focused on pediatrics through baby/preschool settings, schools, clinics, and home health. Special areas of interest and additional training include neurodevelopmental therapy, manual therapy, aquatic therapy, and sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish, she enjoys working with Spanish-speaking families.
Physical Therapist Karin has worked as a physical therapist for 20+ years in a variety of settings including early intervention, schools, home-based services, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals. She has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses such as gross motor delay, torticollis, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, prematurity, and brain injury.
Physical Therapist Heather received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado-Denver before completing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus in 2009. She served as a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities & Related Disorders (LEND) fellow in pediatrics through JFK Partners 2010-2011. She has experience in home care that includes Early Intervention, preschool, inpatient, and outpatient settings. She has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses such as gross motor delay, torticollis, autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Heather is committed to working with children and their families and finds it rewarding and fun. She places focus on function, play-based therapy, and activities that encourage overall health and wellness
Physical Therapist Delaney is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but completed her studies at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. She has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in Aquatic Therapy and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Throughout her life, she has had a passion for helping people succeed and found a niche in pediatrics while working at an early intervention center. Delaney believes in a holistic approach to encouraging growth and developmental skills and loves to use functional play in a natural environment.
Team Lead & Physical Therapist Beth is a pediatric physical therapist who graduated with a Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2002. With a wide range of experience in various settings such as early intervention, schools, home-based services, hospitals, and clinics, Beth has been working in home health and Early Intervention since 2011. She is passionate about serving children and their families, with expertise in diverse diagnoses including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, and other genetic and neuromuscular conditions.
Occupational Therapist Brianda Cortez is originally from South Texas and earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She is fluent in Spanish and has experience in adult outpatient, inpatient, and acute care settings, as well as pediatric home health. Brianda has presented at state occupational therapy conferences, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusion for both adult and pediatric populations. Her mission is to create a welcoming and culturally sensitive environment for her pediatric patients and their families, promoting childhood development with increased focus on caregiver education. A passionate pediatric OT, Brianda also manages a blog to provide valuable and easy-access to resources for practitioners, parents, patients, and students.
Occupational Therapist Meghan is originally from Arvada, Colorado and graduated from Colorado Mesa University with her Master of Occupational Therapy degree. For her undergrad, Meghan graduated from Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Early Childhood Development. She has clinical experience in outpatient pediatrics and inpatient/acute rehabilitation- specializing in neurological conditions. Meghan has a strong passion for sensory processing needs and supporting executive functioning abilities. She believes in child-led and family-centered care, as well as enhancing development through play and movement. She enjoys making meaningful and impactful relationships with her children and families and loves to facilitate new learning experiences and exposures to the children she works with.
Occupational Therapist Jean graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota with a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. From her first days as an OT, helping children and their families achieve their goals in fun and creative ways has been her passion. She has experience in outpatient pediatrics, home health, and school-based settings. Jean believes in a holistic approach, addressing physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development through a blend of science-based knowledge and spontaneous play. What she loves most about her job is that everyday she learns something new from a child. Jean holds undergraduate degrees in music and literature from the University of Minnesota, and is also is also a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
Occupational Therapist Brittni graduated from Indiana State University with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of Cincinnati. Brittni has experience within the outpatient pediatric setting, where she has focused on using play as a tool for her patients to grow and develop. Her passion is to help children become more confident and independent and have fun doing it. Her dog, Eli, is a certified therapy dog who works with Brittni to help children become the best they can be.
Team Lead & Occupational Therapist Lauren graduated with honors from Texas Tech University with a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy. For her undergrad, she graduated with honors from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a minor in mass communications. Lauren takes pride in serving the pediatric population and helping kids and families reach their goals. She enjoys the opportunities to meet new families and build relationships. Lauren loves helping kids learn to be independent and confident.
Alternate Administrator & Physical Therapist Priscilla graduated from Colorado State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. In 2002, she obtained her Master's degree in physical therapy from Regis University. With a focus on working with children from birth to age 18, Priscilla is dedicated to a family-centered approach and helping children achieve their maximum potential.