Our owners always had the desire to open a center for special needs children and decided Forsyth County was the perfect place. Kidz Therapy Networks is the only option in this area for parents that would otherwise have to drive many miles to get the specialized services they need. We are excited about our new location and are dedicated to provide our expert services to parents in this community. Contact us today for information about our wonderful pediatric therapy services.

Meet Our Staff:

Chene Panagopoulos is the co-owner of Kidz Therapy Networks and has been an occupational therapist since 2000. She has worked with a variety of populations all over the world.  In 2003, Chene moved to the United States, and since that time has solely worked in the pediatric out patient setting. She holds a specialty certification to administer and interpret the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT), Interactive Metronome, Torticollis and Practical Interventions for Praxis.  Chene uses a sensory integrative, child directed approach and feels that her forte is working with children who have sensory processing and motor planning (praxis) delays.

Sarah Armstrong  is originally from New York and has been a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist for over ten years.  Sarah specializes in the birth to five population, although she works with children through adolescence.  She received her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The George Washington University in Washington, DC in January of 1997 and spent her first five years working with the Infants and Toddlers Program in Montgomery County, Maryland. Sarah's experiences have also included working with varying special education populations at the preschool, elementary and middle school levels. She has an affinity for oral function therapy and has completed multiple oral-motor continuing education courses. She also has extensive experience with myofunctional therapy, working with many clients to cure tongue thrust to prepare them for orthodonture.  Sarah holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She and her husband Kevin live in Cumming have three children, ages 6, 5 and 2.

Jodiann "Jodi" Hammond is a part-time speech pathologist at Kidz Therapy Networks. She is originally from Upstate New York and relocated to Georgia approximately four years ago. She has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for over eight years now.  Jodi's professional experience includes working in the school systems in NY and GA, pediatric clinic settings, as well as providing home based services. Jodi holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Jessie Schares is a part-time speech therapist at Kidz Therapy Networks. She received her master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Valdosta State University and also holds her Preschool Special Education Endorsement from Georgia State University. Her experience is comprised of a variety of settings and populations working in the school system, private pediatric clinic as well as some experience in an acute care medical facility working with adults. Jessie holds specialty training in PROMPT, Debra Beckman and has training in Sarah-Rosenfeld Johnson's oral motor techniques as well as Kaufman’s Intervention Program for Apraxia. Jessie holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA.)

Sonya Kitchens Sonya is a full time therapist at Kidz Therapy Network. She is a native of Georgia. Sonya received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Pathology and Audiology from South Carolina State University. Sonya’s professional experience includes working in the public school system, and within the private pediatric clinic setting. She has experience working with a variety of populations which includes working with children with special needs at the preschool, elementary, and middle school level. Sonya has extensive training with oral function therapy and feeding. She has earned specialized training in feeding through the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding by Kay A. Toomey. In addition, Sonya has received training in oral motor techniques through the Kaufman’s Intervention Program for Apraxia. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Sumi Chatani, PT, DPT is a physical therapist participating in individual therapy and coaching visits for Building Bridges Therapy. Sumi graduated from Knox College in Illinois with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Biopsychology in 2000. She completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Emory University in 2004. She has experience in a variety of settings including acute care and long term rehabilitation centers, but has focused primarily in pediatrics. She has over 6 years experience in out-patient and home health pediatrics. Sumi has led several therapy programs including Fun and Fitness summer camps, and endurance boot camp for teenagers.

Meghan Shelton is our newest member to join our occupational therapy team at Kidz Therapy Networks. She is originally from the Blue Ridge Mountains and now lives in Gainesville Georgia. She received her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega Georgia and her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in Gainesville Georgia. She has experience in a wide variety of occupational therapy settings like inpatient adult rehab, outpatient adult and pediatric rehab, pediatric hippo-therapy, and skilled nursing facilities. However, Meghan finds her calling as a pediatric occupational therapist.

Harry Pangopoulos is the owner and clinical director of Kidz Therapy Networks.   He has over 25 years of business experience and thoroughly enjoys interacting with children. His love and compassion for children  prompted his decision to establish Kidz Therapy Networks.  Mr. Panagopoulos' main goal is to help the children with special needs and their families to grow and enhance their lives with the support from our wonderful family of therapists listed below.

Chris Panagopoulos Chris joined Kidz Therapy Networks in Jan 2008 as General Manager of Kidz Therapy Networks. Chris insures the smooth running of the clinic and is our in house expert in dealing with Insurance company’s, obtaining client benefits, payments and collectibles. Chris attended Georgia Southern University and majored in business and finance.

Kristen Kellermann Kristen is the Front Office Manager for our facility. She has 5 years of pediatric clinic experience and has solely managed the Medicaid side of the business for 4 years. She also has 3 years of experience in primary insurance billing, invoicing and posting of payments. She handles the scheduling for Kidz Therapy and is the friendly face you see when you walk in our door.

Greta Robertson Gretta has been practicing Speech Pathology for 20 years. Her initial training to obtain her CCC competency was completed at The Kennedy Institute, a children's rehabilitation hospital in Baltimore, Md., as well as a home based family support services program.
Gretta is most currently enjoying working with a pediatric population in the outpatient clinic setting. She enjoys providing comprehensive speech and language services to preschool through high school age students. Skills provided include speech and language treatment, cognitive skill straining, pragmatic skill training, augmentative communication, and feeding/dysphagia for children with varied needs including those diagnosed with speech-language delays, apraxia, Autism, neurogenic disorders, dysfluency and Asperger's syndrome. Pediatric Feeding :The Big Picture(Jennifer Meyer)Asperger's Syndrome (Timothy P Kowalski) Teaching Children to Speak (Burns, Kauffman, Kasper, and Overlands)Helping Children with Auditory Processing Disorders (Jay R. Lucker)
Gretta moved to Georgia from Maryland in 2007 with her husband and 3 children and is enjoying Georgia.

Jessica Riggs Schak Jessica is a full time therapist at Kidz Therapy Networks. She received her undergraduate degree from Kennesaw State University and received her master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University. Jessica has experienced a variety of settings including the nursing home, acute care, and pediatrics. Jessica holds a certificate in Therapeutic Listening and Handwriting Without Tears K-5.

Allison "Haley" Lee Haley is our newest team member. Haley is a native of Georgia. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Biology from North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Georgia and her master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She has experience in a variety of occupational settings including inpatient and outpatient adult rehab, outpatient pediatrics and skilled nursing facilities.