GABRIELLA TICKNER, SLPA


Gabriella is a certified Speech Language Pathologist Assistant for Exploration Kids Therapy.

Gabriella grew up in Montrose, CO and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Metropolitan University in Denver, Colorado. She has worked with all ages from infants to veterans, but has a passion for pediatrics, particularly in the areas of expressive/receptive language disorders and patients with autism. She is currently working on continuing her education.

Gabriella currently lives in Montrose, CO with her husband, son, and dog. When she’s not working, she loves gardening, running, and spending time in the mountains with her family.


BROOKE HILLMAN, COTA


Brooke grew up on the Western Slope and attended high school in Paonia.

She received her Associates of Science in Occupational Therapy at Keiser University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Brooke began her first COTA job in 2021 on the Front Range of Colorado as a Pediatric Home Health Therapist. She moved back to the Western Slope in April of 2023 and plans to stay in this area indefinitely.

Brooke has a fiancé and 2 large dogs, a Great Dane and a Bernese Mountain dog. She enjoys painting, crafts, photography, and being outdoors with family, friends, and her dogs. She was thrilled to come back to work a community that has given her so much.


FRANCIS EBDING, OTD, OTR/L

Francis “AKA Frankie” is an occupational therapist who graduated as part of the first inaugural cohort from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. He is a retired collegiate athlete as he spent 1 year playing baseball for his home state at the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus. He grew up on the island of Lanai and spent his first 18 years living the island life before moving to Grand Junction to attend CMU in 2006.

Frankie now lives in Grand Junction with his fiancé and his 4-year old Golden Retriever, Hapa. He has grown so much and has developed an amazing bond and connection with the staff and patients throughout his time here. He is determined and motivated to work with all of his families and kiddos to help each individual achieve their best self and obtain all goals!


TROY ROSE, MA, CCC-SLP

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SPECIALTY THERAPIES


Troy is a Western Colorado native, growing up in Olathe.

After High School, Troy moved to Greeley, Colorado to attend the University of Northern Colorado. He initially planned on pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education; however, he found his true passion after attending a childhood language development class. He changed his major and received his Bachelor’s of Science in Audiology and Speech Language Sciences in 2017. Troy continued his education at UNC and received his Master’s of Art in Speech-Language Pathology in 2019.

Troy moved back to the Western Slope and worked in the school setting for 5 years. He began his time with Exploration Kids Therapy as a summer employee and SLPA supervisor in 2022. He is excited to be on the team full-time and serve the Delta, Montrose and Gunnison communities.

Troy now lives in Montrose with his fiancé and two dogs. He enjoys the outdoors and going to the gym. He is also an avid supporter of local businesses and events.


DANA MORGAN, MSOT, OTR/L

Dana Morgan, MSOT, OTR/L is a compassionate and driven occupational therapist, proud to be part of Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) second occupational therapy (OT) cohort in Grand Junction, CO. A retired four-year collegiate athlete, she competed on CMU’s swim team while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science. Originally from both Michigan and California, she now calls Grand Junction home, where she lives with her boyfriend and their 9-year-old dog.

She is passionate about helping others regain independence and thrive in daily life, she brings a personalized and holistic approach to her practice. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors—gardening, hiking, camping, and exploring new places. A self-proclaimed foodie and adventure-seeker, she also loves discovering new restaurants and finding unique experiences wherever she goes.


HEIDI HUGHES

DIRECTOR OF CLINIC OPERATIONS


Heidi is our Director of Clinic Operations for our Delta and Gunnison Office.

Heidi’s originally from Idaho and Wyoming but has made Colorado her home for the last 25+ years. She has been a resident of Delta for the last 10+ years and enjoys the variety of landscape she gets on the Western Slope. She has one adult son and parents that live locally.

Heidi has many years of experience working in a professional office environment. She has held various office positions including the Executive Administrative Assistant to the CEO of a small Front Range company, as well as, a Clinic Manager and Referral Director at a large, local pediatric medical clinic. Her favorite positions have been the positions that allow her to work with children.


ASHLEY ANAYA

DELTA CLINIC COORDINATOR


Ashley was born and raised in Colorado. She resides in Delta with her husband, 3 sons, and 2 daughters.

Ashley has worked in a variety of positions from Customer service in the automotive industry to environmental services in healthcare to a front office receptionist in a medical office, but enjoys working with children the most.

Ashley studied for 2 years at CMU to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, but had to take a break due to health issues. Ashley has since obtained a degree in Animal Training, Animal CPR, Animal Massage Therapy and Animal Psychology and Pet Behavior by training under her husband and receiving her education through him.

Ashley and her husband, Eleno, own a business called Missing Link Pet Services where they provide service dog training, as well as, basic training and boarding.

Her husband and her are very passionate about the community and helping children (and pets and animals) and families in need.

Ashley loves spending her free time with her family fishing, hiking, camping and volunteering.
Ashley enjoys other hobbies including drawing/art, PS5, reading, photography, listening to music and jamming with her husband.

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