OT Solutions Staff
Jennifer Phillips
Founder/Owner
OT/L NC#3496
Jenny grew up in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. She attended University of Wisconsin –Milwaukee and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997.
Jenny and her husband Chad moved to Wilmington, NC on New Year’s Day, 1998. Jenny began work in home health and geriatrics and gained valuable experience as Rehabilitation Director of a small outpatient clinic in Pender County. In search of new challenges and a desire to focus exclusively on pediatrics, Jenny and Chad put their heads together and founded OT Solutions Inc. in 2001. For 10 years Jenny and her dedicated team have strived to be a center of excellence for the community, providing state of the art therapeutic services and empowering children and families in Southeastern North Carolina.
Jenny and Chad have made their home in Leland, NC.
Special practice interests include: Working with families and children on the autism spectrum. Jennifer also has a special interest and advanced training in pediatric feeding.
She has specialized pediatric training in: The Ready Approach, Handwriting Without Tears, Sensory Processing Disorders, TEACCH, DIR/Floortime, Feeding and Swallowing, Early Intervention, treatment of babies, mCIMT for hemiplegia
Her hobbies include: In her spare time Jenny enjoys painting and pottery, reading, outdoor music venues, travel with family, downhill skiing, and kayaking the beautiful creeks of Brunswick County!
Crystal Powell
BSW Practice Manager
Crystal is originally from Wilmington, NC. She now lives in Shallotte, NC with her husband William. They have a three year old son, Garrett and two daushands, Chloee and D-O-G.
Crystal graduated from UNC - Wilmington in 2002 with a B.S. in Social Work. As a social worker, Crystal gained valuable work experience with our local pediatric community through the school systems, then through her direct work with at-risk youth in residential group homes. Crystal joined OT Solutions in 2003 and now leads the team as the Practice Manager, overseeing day to day operations, client and staff needs, and serving as community liaison. Crystal's goal is to respond to the needs of our community by providing our patients and their families with innovative, effective occupational therapy services that result in superior customer satisfaction!
Special practice interests include: Connecting families with local resources to further meet their needs.
Her hobbies include: Crystal enjoys traveling, reading, the beach, spending time with her family and watching her son play tee ball.
You can reach Crystal directly at: contact@otsolutionsinc.com
Penny Harnigner
Office Assistant
Penny is originally from Long Island, New York. She lived in Suffolk County until moving to Brunswick County in 1996 when her father became ill. She lives in Shallotte, NC with her fiancée Lane, his daughter Charlotte, their dog Rosie, and Mama Cat (Tippy).
Penny joined OT Solutions in July 2009 and fully enjoys working here.
Her hobbies include: Penny enjoys scrap-booking, the beach and knitting.
Melissa Snyder
OTR/L NC #6986
Melissa grew up in Greenville, SC. She moved to Wilmington in July 2009 to join OT Solutions. She and her boyfriend Dave recently bought a house in Wilmington where they live with their two huge dogs, Maggie and Ellis. She has a younger sister who is a pediatric speech therapist in South Carolina, and her mother is a service coordinator for South Carolina's early intervention program. Pediatrics runs in her family.
Melissa graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in 2004 and taught for two years as a special education teacher in a North Carolina middle school. She was introduced to occupational therapy in the public school system and decided to go back to school to become an OT. Melissa graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in August 2008 with a Masters in Occupational Science.
Special practice interests include: Sensory processing, early intervention, children with psychological diagnoses, autism, and spreading the word about OT!
She has specialized pediatric training in: Sensory Processing Disorder, the ALERT Program, Therapeutic Listening, and SOS Feeding Approach.
Her hobbies include: Melissa enjoys baking, learning to surf, playing with her dogs, spending time at the beach, watching college basketball (Go Heels!) and football (Go Gamecocks!), traveling, reading, and decorating her new house.
Something interesting about Melissa: She loves roller coasters, and she really wants to go skydiving.
Katie Davis
OTR/L NC#7314
Katie is from Hickory, NC. She is an alumnus of UNCW and moved back to Wilmington in November 2009 after getting married. Katie and her husband are proud owners of a 3 year old English bulldog, Charlie.
Katie graduated from Lenoir Rhyne University in May 2009 with a Masters degree in OT. She joined OT Solutions in November 2009.
Special practice interests include: Sensory Integration
She has specialized pediatric training in: SOS Approach to Feeding
Her hobbies include: Katie loves to be outdoors whether it be the beach or the mountains. She is a sports enthusiast and loves to watch football with her husband. She is enjoys exercising and yoga. She also loves to spend time with her family.
Something interesting about Katie: Katie was a gymnast for 10 years
Karen Sblendorio
OT/L NC#3647
Karen is from Byron, NY.
She moved to Wilmington 12 years ago, but she still misses the snow sometimes!
Karen graduated from Keuka College with a Bachlor of Science in OT in 1997. She also has a Bachlor of Science Degree in Biology from Plattsburg State. Karen has two sons, Jake and Seth, who are in elementary school.
Special practice interests include: Karen has a special interest in treating children with vestibular disorders and children on the autism spectrum.
She has specialized pediatric training in: Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, DIR/Floortime, Strain - Counterstrain Techniques, Vestibular Habilitation from the Core, Sensory Processing, Interactive Metronome and Beckman Oral Motor.
Her hobbies include: She enjoys spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors. She also enjoys refinishing antique furniture.
Jennifer Holmes
OTR/L NC#6511
Jennifer is originally from Southern California. She moved to the Wilmington area in the begining of 2008. Jennifer joined OT Solutions in July 2008. Jennifer and her husband are both Occupational Therapists. They have three children, a teenager, a toddler, and a brand new baby!
Jennifer graduated from Loma Linda University in 1999 with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. She has been working in pediatrics since graduating.
Special practice interests include: Autism and Sensory Processing Disorders
She has specialized pediatric training in: Sensory Processing, Interactive Metronome Certification, Handwriting Without Tears, Feeding Therapy, extensive autism coursework, and motor learning
Her hobbies include: Jennifer enjoys spending time with family, reading, going to the beach, and keeping up with her three very busy children.