Occupational Therapy Team
Director of Occupational Therapy Department
Education: Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University
Certifications: Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS), Astronaut Training, Therapeutic Listening, and Interactive Metronome
Areas of Interest: Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, Feeding, Sensory Integration
About Me: I live in Atlanta. I love spending time with family and friends.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, reading and attending sports events. I am a huge Steelers fan.
What do you love about TOTS: We get to treat amazing patients in a fun work environment with opportunities for growth!
Email: Nilka@tenderones.com
Senior Occupational Therapist
Education: Georgia Southern University and Brenau University
Certifications: Beckman Oral Motor and Interactive Metronome
Areas of Interest: Feeding
About Me: I live in Buford with my husband and baby girl coming in March 2023. I love running races, and going to Disney with my family.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love to run, going to Disney World and anything gluten-free.
What do you love about TOTS: I love getting to know all the families, kiddos, and work with the best co-workers!
Email: Madison@tenderones.com
Assistant Director of Occupational Therapy in Gainesville
Education: Undergraduate: Georgia State University; Graduate: University of St. Augustine
Certifications: Interactive Metronome
Areas of Interest: Neuro, CP
About Me: I am Puerto Rican, living in Suwanee with a 4 year old cat named Tormund who is named after a Game of Thrones character. I enjoy going on small and large trips to explore and experience what this world has to offer!
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love hiking. I have 3 sisters who’s names all start with Yoli as well. Korean BBQ and Ferrero Rochers are my favorite foods.
What do you love about TOTS: I love working at a place that creates an environment rich with opportunity for kids with different abilities and an atmosphere of comfort where families feel confident and safe in bringing their children.
Email: Yoli@tenderones.com
Assistant Director of Occupational Therapy Department
Education: Undergraduate: University of Georgia; Graduate: Brenau University
Certifications: Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS), Interactive Metronome, Handwriting without Tears, Therapeutic Listening
Areas of Interest: CIMT
About Me: I live in Dacula with my husband, 2 children and dog Apollo.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I can play the French horn and mellophone and was in marching band throughout high school and my first year in college. I love anything chocolate!
What do you love about TOTS: The kiddos, their families and the staff! TOTS is like a family and everyone works together in order to provide the best care for every patient.
Email: JulieT@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist, Mentorship Training Coordinator and Center Clinical Coordinator of Education
Education: Brenau University
Certifications: Sensory Integration and Praxis Certification, PAM certification, Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, Astronaut Training and Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding
Areas of Interest: Sensory Integration
About Me: I live in Dacula with my husband. I have 2 adult daughters, a dog and a cat.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love gardening, seafood, and going to plays.
What do you love about TOTS: Everything!
Email: Marionviar@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Certifications: Interactive Metronome
Areas of Interest: Sensory Processing, Executive functioning
About Me: I live in Buford with my husband and son. My daughter and her family live close by so that I able to enjoy a lot of time with my granddaughter. I love cooking, boating and the beach.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I like gardening and cooking with fresh foods
I became a grandmother last year and my favorite foods are soup and chili.
What do you love about TOTS: TOTS is my happy Place! I love being able to treat and socialize with all of the other great therapists!
Email: Rosie@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: The University of Florida; Graduate: The University of St. Augustine
Areas of Interest: Feeding and Sensory Integration
About Me: I live in Gainesville with my husband and 2 children. I love spending time outdoors and exploring new places with my family.
Fun facts/Hobbies: My hobby is digital design projects. I love all things Disney! My favorite food is Thai.
What do you love about TOTS: I love that I get to work with children and their families in a supportive environment!
Email: Esmeralda@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: UCLA; Graduate: Washington University in St. Louis
About Me: I live in Suwanee with my husband. We recently moved to Georgia from California, and spent the last year traveling in Korea visiting family.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love to crochet, experiment with cooking new food, and anything that involves making things with my hands. My comfort food is pho.
What do you love about TOTS: I love the supportive environment and the creative energy that everyone at TOTs helps create!
Email: Esther@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: Georgia Southern University; Graduate: Brenau University
Areas of Interest: Feeding and CIMT
About Me: I live in Suwanee, GA with my husband, Will. We have two fur babies, our dog Brooklyn and our cat Boots.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I was originally born in North Carolina, but have lived in Georgia most of my life. I enjoy being active, taking walks with my dog, and enjoying free time with family and friends. Pizza and Mexican food have my heart!
What do you love about TOTS: I love the positive atmosphere that Tender Ones has. It feels like a family and I love how everyone helps each other out to give the best care they can to patients.
Email: Morgan@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Graduate: Brenau University; Doctorate: Bay Path University
Certifications: Autism Certification
About Me: I live in Winder with my husband and 2 kids. My son is on the spectrum and he is my inspiration for being an OT.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I could live at Disney World. I am a huge Georgia Bulldogs fan and chocolate/peanut butter milkshakes are my favorite.
What do you love about TOTS: Seeing the pride on a parent’s face when a child makes progress.
Occupational Therapist
Education: Rocky Mountain University of Health Sciences
Certifications: Interactive Metronome
About Me: I live in Buford with my son and 3 cats. I love reading and hiking.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love the outdoors, reading, and chocolate
What do you love about TOTS: The wonderful staff!
Occupational Therapist
Education: Medical College of Georgia
Certifications: Sensory Integration, SIPT certified, Alert Program, RDI (Relationship Development Intervention)
Areas of Interest: Sensory integration, Social Skills, Reflex Integration
About Me: I love traveling, being outdoors, being cozy indoors, cooking, and watching my children play sports. I live in Brookhaven with my husband, 3 children and dog Eliza.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love to travel. I just started pickleball and it is so fun! I love good Asian food and gummy bears
What do you love about TOTS: Working at TOTS is a unique family centered environment. Each child is special and important and we work hard to get to know their needs as well as how we can best serve their families. Each member of the staff is appreciated and integral in helping TOTS care for the children.
Occupational Therapist
Education: Graduate: Brenau University;
Doctorate: Rocky Mountain University of Healthcare Professions
Certifications: SIPT, BCT (Bone conduction training), The Listening Program, Interactive Metronome
About Me: I live in Buford with my three boys. One is a freshman at Syracuse University, and I have twins in 11th grade. We are busy family that likes to be on the lake. We have two dogs that complete our family.
Fun facts/Hobbies: My favorite hobby is exercising. I drive like a turtle… very slow. My favorite food is starburst minis.
What do you love about TOTS: The owner, Noreen Zulaica.
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: Liberty University; Graduate: Elmhurst University
Areas of Interest: Feeding, Sensory Processing
About Me: I recently moved from Charleston, SC with my sweet dog named Kip and I am a lover of Pepsi.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love cooking. I go to the public library every single Friday. my favorite food is tiramisu.
What do you love about TOTS: The community and support from other therapists.
Email: Mattea@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame; Graduate: Boston University
Areas of Interest: Neuro-related disabilities and conditions. I think it’s so amazing to see return of function and see the wonders of the neuroplasticity!
About Me: I lived in Georgia most of my life except for my undergrad and grad studies, and I love exploring cafes and restaurants about metro-Atlanta. I love to run during the cooler months and hang out with my family and friends in my free time.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I like to try out different hobbies and recently started crocheting. I love to play Tetris and will get competitive. My favorite food is anything soupy with noodles.
What do you love about TOTS: TOTS has such a welcoming environment for therapists and patients. Everyone seems happy to be here!
Email: Kayla@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: Bachelor of Foods and Nutrition from Samford University; Graduate: Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Brenau University
About Me: I was born and raised in Atlanta, and I live in Brookhaven with two roommates. I love spending time with friends, family, and my parent’s dog Leisel.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love jigsaw puzzles, running, and hiking. I grew up learning how to sail in Cape Cod, MA. My favorite foods are Mexican, pizza, and chocolate.
What do you love about TOTS: I love working in such a fun and welcoming environment with all the amazing therapists and staff. I also appreciate how helpful everyone is in order to provide the best care we can to patients.
Email: Margaret@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: University of North Alabama; Graduate: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
About Me: I live in Gainesville and love to go on walks and go on the lake.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I’m learning how to water ski. I do a lot of puzzles with 1000+ pieces. I love Italian food and anything chocolate.
What do you love about TOTS: The staff at TOTS is very supportive, and the kids are so much fun!
Email: Samanthawhite@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate and Graduate: Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at Tuskegee University
Areas of Interest: Sensory Integration, Sensory Feeding, CIMT, Autism
About Me: I live in Atlanta and I love spending time with friends and family.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love traveling, learning about different cultures, and languages.
What do you love about TOTS: I love working at TOTs because the company provides good support through mentorship and opportunities to learn/ apply modern evidence based interventions to meet the goals of children and families.
Email: Alexis@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: The Ohio State University
Certifications: DIR Floortime
About Me: I grew up Columbus, OH and moved to ATL in 2020. I love working out.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I like shooting music videos and taking pictures. I have been featured as an actor in three music videos (so far)! My favorite dessert is cheesecake!
What do you love about TOTS: I love interacting with all the therapists and clients. It has been a great place to be.
Email: Albane@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: University of Georgia: BS in Health Promotion and Behavior; Graduate: University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences: MS in Occupational Therapy
About Me: I was born and raised in Georgia, and I live in Atlanta with my roommates and my kitten Dottie. I love spending time with my family and friends!
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love reading, trying new restaurants with my friends, and traveling to places I’ve never been! My favorite dessert is ice cream, especially any flavor with chocolate and peanut butter.
What do you love about TOTS: I love working in such a fun, creative, and supportive environment that allows our kiddos to grow and meet their goals!
Email: Lily@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Georgia College and State University; Brunel University London
About Me: I was born and raised in Marietta, Ga. I love spending time outdoors, playing any sport, and taking naps.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I’m an avid reader and traveler. I’ve been to 15 different countries. My favorite food is Thai food.
What do you love about TOTS: I love how passionate all of our staff is about the develop of each kiddo!
Email: Erica@tenderones.com
Occupational Therapist
Education: Undergraduate: BS in Health Sciences from University of South Florida; Graduate: MS in Occupational Therapy from University of St. Augustine
Certifications: Interactive Metronome, Physical Agent Modalities
About Me: I grew up in Tampa and moved to Georgia after finishing OT school, so most of my trips are back to Tampa to visit family. I'm getting married this summer and will be living nearby in Bethlehem, GA.
Fun facts/Hobbies: I love reading, trying new restaurants, and being outside hiking or hanging out at the beach. My favorite food is anything sweet, but ice cream is my favorite!
What do you love about TOTS: I love the TOTS team and our wonderful families. Its always a fun time with something new happening!
Email: Brittni@tenderones.com
