Meet Our Team
Debbie Haymon, Founder/Occupational Therapist
Founder Debbie Haymon is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, receiving the 2011 Beatrice Award. In addition, she has received recognition for her outstanding commitment to Urban healthcare. Her experience includes sensory integration theory, handwriting interventions, neurodevelopmental techniques, listening therapy and myofascial release, and much more.
As an experienced and knowledgeable pediatric occupational therapist for the past 20 years, Debbie continues to contribute to the education of the next generation of occupational therapists as a guest lecturer and fieldwork educator. She leads her team by example, and she is committed to delivering high-quality therapy with integrity and excellence. While building relationships with her families, Debbie aims to empower parents, children, and the team. In her free time, she loves to roller-skate.
Marlen Garcia, Occupational Therapist
Marlen discovered her path towards occupational therapy through her varied experiences in serving children with developmental disabilities and their families. Marlen received her Master's degree in occupational therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2014. While completing her degree, Marlen engaged in multiple research projects and training. This training included exploring a peer-to-peer model to educate and build the capacity of parents to understand their child with autism and completing the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities training. She is an Early Intervention specialist and trained in Myofascial Release, SOS to Feeding approach, Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting without Tears, and more. She is committed to being a lifelong learner by taking advanced courses in sensory integration, therapeutic handling and positioning, and related courses. Marlen is passionate about Smart Moves because the therapists use a family-based approach to understanding the unique strengths and needs to provide quality, evidence-based therapy. She enjoys exploring her hometown of Chicago, especially restaurants, with friends and family in her free time.
Ellen Buchanan, Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist, Ellen Buchanan, has 30 years of experience in Physical Therapy. Ellen works with children that have neuromuscular disorders, balance disorders, sensorimotor issues, neurological ailments, and orthopedic conditions. Smart Moves Pediatric Clinic is a family-friendly environment that offers specialized therapies by experienced Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, and Physical Therapists. Ellen has worked at Smart Moves since 2015 because of its mission to advance the skills of children's crafts and include every parent as an integral member of the treatment team. Smart Moves staff are a great group of friendly, energetic therapists that enjoy providing interventions within a fun, collaborative environment.
Jennifer Zachacki, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jennifer Zachacki has spent her whole life in the Chicagoland area. She graduated from the Wright College COTA program, and Jennifer was the recipient of the outstanding volunteer award for her work with the Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse and Special Olympics annual Polar Plunge. She has diverse fieldwork experience, including early intervention and acute care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In addition, Jennifer has over 15 years of experience working with the pediatric population in schools, homes, and recreational settings. She is so excited to join the Smart Moves team because of all the experience, knowledge, and dedication each staff member brings. In her spare time, she cheers on all 3 of her sons at the hockey rink or baseball field.
Daniela Rodriguez, Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Dani attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO and earned her Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2023. Her pediatric fieldwork experience exposed her to the creative and playful minds of children which solidified her decision to work with them. She believes that child development is best supported with a holistic and family-centered approach. She is passionate about helping children engage in their day to day activities that are meaningful to them, develop new skills, learn how to self-regulate, and so much more.
Outside of Smart Moves, Dani enjoys spending time with family and friends, dining out, going to concerts, and drinking coffee.
Candace Smith, Occupational Therapist
Candace received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a sociology minor from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Chicago State University. She has five years of experience working with the pediatric population in Early Intervention, sensory-based clinics, and school settings.
She is passionate about helping children learn new skills, learn to self-regulate, and become independent so that they can engage in activities that they need and want to do.
Candace has several hobbies such as traveling, bike-riding, reading, dog-training, and learning to play guitar. However, her favorite pass time is doing home improvement projects.
Marietta Burns, Marietta Adalia Burns, M.A., CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist
Marietta became interested in speech language pathology while volunteering as a faith-based organization. She earned her master’s from Northern IllinoisUniversity while she coached students in executive functioning.
With over 25 years in the field, she has experience with a variety of genetic syndromes, autism, congenital differences, and language development. She is a credentialed early intervention specialist and evaluator. Being understood is a fundamental need; coaching caregivers so that their child uses signs, AAC systems or words is her sweet spot. Facilitating first bites using a variety of methods, is one of her favorite things to do. Currently, she is pursuing advanced training in Gestalt Language Learning.
Marietta is a Chicago native, and mother of two kidults. Her children benefited from services, giving her perspective from both sides of the therapy desk. In her free time, she enjoys fostering rescued animals and gardening, but she’s most proud of finishing her first 15K Tough Mudder.
Rebecca Eichwedel, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Rebecca attended Fox College and graduated in 2019 with an associate's degree as an occupational therapy assistant. Rebecca is from northern Wisconsin, but she grew up in the southwest Chicago suburbs (Lemont).
Rebecca's passion is pediatric occupational therapy, as she has had opportunities in middle school-high school to assist special education students. From these experiences, she found occupational therapy a career option. She truly fell in love with working with children of all ages to help them be as independent as possible and reach their full potential. Rebecca also genuinely enjoys helping parents and siblings in any way she can, and Smart Movesgives the time and resources to treat entire families. She enjoys attending church, country music concerts, and baseball games in her free time. Rebecca also enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog and at the beach, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends, especially her niece and nephew.
Magaly Alvarez, M.A., CF-SLP Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Magaly received her Master's Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Indiana University at Bloomington. While in attendance, Magaly completed the Speech Therapy Education Practicum and Services (STEPS) program for Latino Children and Families where she was trained in the area of bilingualism. Through the completion of this program, Magaly is qualified to serve as a bilingual speech therapist. Her experiences have led her to develop a passion for servicing the pediatric population and families within her community.
Magaly enjoys spending quality time with friends and family. She enjoys trying new restaurants, going on hikes, attending concerts, and loves a good cup of coffee.
Eileen Moran, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Eileen graduated from McHenry County College in 2021 with an Associate’s Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She is from the northwest suburbs and grew up in Lincolnshire, IL.
Eileen’s passion for occupational therapy began while working as a paraprofessional at the elementary school she attended, where she loved the out-of-the-box thinking to help students. She continued her passion for helping others while working as a rehab aide with orthopedics, hand rehab, and long-term care. Eileen hopes to continue growing in her career and helping people in the Smart Moves Pediatrics community and beyond.
In her free time, she loves going to concerts, traveling, being outside, attending sports games, and finding the best places for mac and cheese.
Breana Lenoir, Office Manager
With a passion for kids and a giving heart, Breana Lenoir is a “Jane of all Trades." She’s a Chicago native and mom of two that enjoys planning events, volunteering at church and helping those in need. She has a decade of experience in childcare and studied at Robert Morris University. When she’s not on mom and career duty, she enjoys finding creative ways to spend time with her friends and accepting new challenges to take her life to the next level.
Izabela Kruszczak, M.A., SLP Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist
Iza attended Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri and earned her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has a special interest in language development and gestalt language processing.
She is new to Chicago, but in her free time she likes to read, run, explore the city, and socialize with friends. She is passionate about communication in all forms and loves working with kids!
Nick Sawyer, Aide
Nick currently attends Oak Park’s River Forest High School and is connected with Smart Moves via their life skills program. Nick is a responsible, energetic, conscientious worker that is an overall pleasure. He has a special knack for engaging children and bringing the best out of them. Nick has worked at various locations through the program and has a running record of great success and thus, is in high demand. We are lucky to have him and consider him as our secret weapon!!
Lauren Lomax, Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Lauren attended Midwestern University where she obtained a doctorate degree in occupational therapy in 2023. During her studies, she completed research on the utilization of cultural humility in practice and created a program for vulnerable youth. Lauren also obtained the Practice Leadership Service Award for her commitment to the community and the profession.
Lauren enjoys spending time going on walks, traveling, trying out new restaurants, and hanging out with friends and family. She is passionate about supporting others to be the best versions of themselves.
Gissel Pena, M.A., Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist
Gissel earned her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Xavier University.
She is dedicated to helping young learners realize their communication potential, and she focuses on empowering parents and families with the strategies and knowledge needed to support their child’s development.
In her leisure time, Gissel enjoys painting, cooking, playing board and card games, and traveling.
Kristen Burke, Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kristen's passion for occupational therapy was ignited at a pediatrics hippotherapy clinic in Lake Forest, IL, where she interned during her undergraduate studies in biology at Lake Forest College. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in 2017 and later completed an Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Fox College in 2019. Kristen began her OT career at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in a nursing home in Niles, IL. With four years of experience as a COTA, she has worked with adults in a sub-acute nursing home and individuals with mental illness. Now, she is eager to expand her skills in pediatric occupational therapy, where her initial interest in the field began. Born and raised in Chicago, Kristen also lived in Wisconsin for five years. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Colby, swimming, golfing, and traveling.