Learn about our staff members and read their bios
Mary Kostka
OTR/L & Owner/Founder
Credentials and Interests:
Mary Kostka is the CEO, owner and founder of ‘OHANA Occupational Therapy, LLC. She is a licensed and nationally certified Occupational Therapist with over 34 years of experience. She graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in 1988. Mary opened her private practice in 2008 to better serve families and to help them thrive in light of the many challenges they are facing. Mary has an advanced specialty certification in Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy and is an Integrated Listening Systems Practitioner. She has advanced training in Autism, ADD/ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurodevelopmental, Vision and Feeding Disorders. Mary loves the exploring and experiencing the great outdoors with her wonderful husband and two sons. Her leisure interests include hula, photography, teaching karate and serving as a volunteer in the exchange student program as a Leavenworth Rotarian. To learn more about ‘Ohana’s roots click HERE.
NCWLife’s interview with Mary and a Passionate Statement from Mary about childhood development, stress and anxiety.
What I like best about working for our company:
“I love working so closely with parents in an ideal therapy setting that promotes fast results. It is wonderful helping the whole child including working with them in community settings which are often challenging for our families. I love our team of awesome therapists and support staff, we are truly a family.”
Favorite Quote:
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more.”
Cailyn Crossland
Lead OTR/L
Credentials and interests:
Cailyn is a licensed and nationally certified Occupational Therapist. She is from Kingston, WA and relocated to Wenatchee in September 2021. She earned her B.S. in Rehab Sciences from UIW in San Antonio, TX in 2016 and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from UW in Seattle, WA in 2019. She has worked in an outpatient setting treating children and adults with various needs for almost two years prior to starting at ‘Ohana and is highly passionate about pediatric pelvic health and serving families. In her spare time, Cailyn enjoys spending time with her partner, friends, and family; walking/running/hiking with her dog (Luna), reading, listening to podcasts, mountain biking, and snowboarding. Houseplants and tea are two of her favorite things!
What I like about working for our company:
“The environment at Ohana is so growth oriented and optimistic. I love getting to laugh, play, and learn something new every day from my colleagues and families. I love working with a company of all ages that believes that anything is possible with faith, understanding, adaptation, and exploration.”
Favorite Quote:
“In indigenous ways of knowing, it is understood that each living being has a particular role to play. Every being is endowed with certain gifts, its own intelligence, its own spirit, its own story. Our stories tell us that the Creator gave these to us, as original instructions. The foundation of education is to discover that gift within us and learn to use it well.” -Robin Wall Kimmerer
Bucket List:
– Travel to Ireland with my mom
– Complete a long distance trail running race
– Travel to Chile and Argentina (Patagonia)
Abigail Simmons
OTR/L
Abigail Simmons is a brand new graduate from College of Saint Mary (a small all-women’s college in Omaha, Nebraska) where she earned her doctorate in occupational therapy. Abigail completed her doctoral capstone project at an equine-assisted therapy center in Vermont where she focused on pediatric sensory integration through riding and working with horses. She also has a special interest in mental health and trauma, and minored in psychology during her undergrad. Abigail is excited to learn more from the knowledgeable staff at ‘Ohana! Abigail moved to Wenatchee after growing up in Omaha her whole life. In her free time, Abigail enjoys skiing, hiking & backpacking, listening to jazz, watching theatre productions (especially musicals and Shakespeare), reading her comics and watching marvel movies, attending comic cons, riding & driving horses, ballroom, swing, & salsa dancing, playing with her cat, caring for her succulents, and exploring/adventuring.
What I like about working for our company:
“I just love this environment so much! It is amazing to be in a place where everyone is valued and encouraged. Here, we see the potential each kid has, we celebrate the small wins with families, and we offer hope for their futures. It is also so great to be in a place that sees and advocates for the value of occupational therapy, and works hard to bring it to the community.”
Favorite quote:
“With great power, there must also come great responsibility” ~Stan Lee (via Uncle Ben)
– Get married
Kelsey Gries
OTR/L
Credentials and Interests: Kelsey is a licensed and nationally certified Occupational Therapist. She is from Evansville, IN and relocated to Wenatchee in January 2024. She earned her B.S. in Health Sciences from SEMO in Cape Girardeau, MO in 2019 and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Murray State University in 2021. She has worked in a pediatric outpatient setting treating children, specializing in the SOS Approach to Feeding, NDT, aquatic therapy, and Exershine Kids. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys kayaking, volunteering with Hippotherapy, traveling to new countries, weight lifting, and going for walks with her dog Rollo.
What I like about working for our company: When I first interviewed with Ohana OT and met with the staff, I instantly felt like I was at home. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and made me instantly feel like I was a part of the team. After viewing the clinic and getting to observe sessions with the therapists, I instantly knew this place was different. All the staff members and therapists always wore a smile at all times during a session and they were actually enjoying what they did. Every child I observed always enjoyed coming to the clinic and were eager to start each session no matter what kind of day they were having.
Favorite quote: “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” -Neil Gaiman, Coraline
– Travel to Greece, Spain, and Brazil
– Skydive
– Zip line down the Las Vegas Strip
Nicole Ryder
COTA/L
Credentials and interests:
Nicole is a licensed and nationally certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She is from Michigan and attended Calvin College. Nicole has experience working within the schools as a therapist and loves working with kids. She and her husband Tim moved from MI to Wenatchee in 2021 just before having their son and just welcomed their baby girl into their growing family August 2023! Nicole enjoys hiking, running, gardening, canning, playing board games, and traveling.
What I like about working for our company:
“I love the atmosphere here at ‘Ohana. It feels like a family. Everyone is so nice and the kids and parents are amazing.”
Favorite Quote:
“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now. ” -Fred Roger
Bucket List:
– Hike in New Zealand
– Travel in Costa Rica
– Visit Germany
– Hike in Greece
– Visit National Parks in US
Anita Faull
COTA/L
Credentials and interests:
Anita is a licensed and nationally certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She is from Renton, WA and moved to Wenatchee in 2022 to help families and children at ‘Ohana. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Central Washington University in Ellensburg in 1992 and her Associate of Occupational Therapy degree from PIMA Medical Institute in Renton in 2021. In between, she has worked with children and students of all ages. She shared music, stories, and learning with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers as a licensed Kindermusik educator, preschool teacher, and Sunday School teacher. She taught elementary students as a classroom teacher, music teacher, and Special Education paraeducator. Most recently, she served preschoolers through high schoolers as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the Kent School District. Anita is married and proud of her two grown sons. She loves to create with paper, rubber stamps, and ink. Her other hobbies including creating “concoctions” in the kitchen, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
What I like about working for our company:
“I love the chance to be part of a staff family who is passionate about helping children and their families. We can use play, music, games, and more to develop new skills and promote healthy development for the whole child and the whole family.”
Favorite Quote:
“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.” – Fred Rogers
Bucket List:
– Bungee Jump in Whistler B.C.
– Visit Hobbiton in New Zealand
– Learn a new language
Jeanne Livingston
COTA/L
Credentials and interests:
Jeanne (pronounced “Jean-ee”) is an Occupational Therapy Assistant and has been married to her husband Michael for 24 years and they have a son named Kyle. She has 20+ years experience in OT treating in the school system as well as in Home Health with the pediatric population. She enjoys working with kids because they are challenging, different and all unique. Seeing their progress at ‘Ohana excites her, knowing it is rewarding for both the families and the therapists. She is excited for the opportunity to work at ‘Ohana and be a part of a super unique OT clinic that specializes in sensory integration. In her spare time, Jeanne enjoys listening to live music, riding her bike, and spending time with her husband and son.
What I like about working for our company:
“This is a family orientated environment where we are all family. We have high expectations and extensive training, and I am excited to be a part of this fabulous team. Everyone is so nice and wants to help in any way they can. I have the opportunity to collaborate with other Occupational Therapists and staff to help with any issues that come up. The staff works well together to make everyone feel comfortable. Plus, we don’t have to wear our shoes in the clinic!😁”
Favorite Quote:
“Don’t cry over the past, it’s gone.
Don’t stress about the future, it hasn’t arrived.
Live in the present and make it beautiful.”
Bucket List:
-see all 50 states
-take a hot air balloon ride
-photograph this beautiful and wonderful place I live
-start a garden
Janna Donoghue-Newell
COTA/L
(Covering Therapist)
Credentials and interests:
Janna is a licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has 6 years experience providing occupational therapy services. She has 20 years experience in the home school system and is a former Para Educator. She is married and has three great kids, two awesome step kids and one amazing step granddaughter. She also has two dogs, two cats and the occasional wildlife that wander around their home in the country. Janna volunteers in the area of homeless providing meals, clothing and essentials. Her focus and passion is in the area of transitioning families and individuals into housing and helping with employment efforts. She loves bicycling, hiking, gardening and swimming.
What I like about working for our company:
“The absolute contagious joy! From the moment the kids and parents begin arriving it builds. Maybe a kiddo will ride a bike for the first time, tie their shoe, or focus calmly on a task that they once struggled with. At those moments, we get to celebrate their victory. Then we look over at the parent and the look in their eyes says it all. Then everyone gets back to work toward the next set of goals, equipping kids and families to meet life with hope and possibilities. These are the ‘Ohana moments that make this the best place I have ever worked!”
Favorite Quote:
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain
Bucket List:
– Solo camp
– Plant an Italian plum tree in my garden
– Fly in an airplane over my hometown and surrounding wilderness
– Take a flight on a jet
– Take a train trip through the Cascades
– Travel the scenic Cascade Loop
– See the sun set on the Pacific Ocean
– Swim in a warm ocean
– See the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, a desert and huge cactus, an orange and a lemon grove
Hailey Scholten
Chief Operating Officer
Credentials and interests:
Hailey has worked for ‘Ohana since 2018 and started out working in the clinic, but shifted her role to working remotely in 2021. She and her husband spent 3 years in Oklahoma but moved back to WA (the WestSide) Fall of 2024. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Whitworth University in 2015 and has a passion for serving others and helping families thrive. In her spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, learning aerial silks, traveling, spending time adventuring with her husband, playing with their dog, Camber, finding fun photography shoots to do with her husband, and spending time with family and loved ones.
What I like about working for our company: “I love the team atmosphere at ‘Ohana that creates a fun environment to help engage and bless the kids and families we serve. Playing a role in bringing hope to families and watching them grow and overcome their obstacles is so rewarding. I feel lucky to be a part of this mission.”
Favorite Quote: “Don’t miss out on something that could be great just because it could also be difficult.”
-Fly in a hot air balloon
Kylie Roth
Front Desk Coordinator
Credentials and Interests:
Kylie was born and raised in Wenatchee, Washington. She was homeschooled and graduated high school within 2 years. She has taken a criminal justice program class in high school and passed the 2 year course. In her spare time she spends her time fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes, swimming and boating. Kylie hopes to pursue a career in nursing. She loves spending time with her family and loved ones.
What I like best about working for our company:
“I love the atmosphere here at ‘Ohana. Everyone is very helpful toward one another, very nice and always has a positive attitude. The kids and parents are awesome. ”
Favorite Quote:
“I realize that I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.”
Bucket List:
-Go sky diving
-Go on a week cruise
-Go tuna fishing in the Ocean
-Go on a vacation to Hawaii
Emily Contreras
Front Desk/OT Aide
Credentials and interests:
Emily grew up in Montana but relocated to Wenatchee in 2016 and started working towards obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Western Governor’s University. Emily met her husband and got married at Squilchuck State Park, because the area reminds her of home with all the trees and mountains. Emily and her husband have two cats at home and welcomed their son, Atlas, into the world early 2023 and are enjoying watching him grow! She loves to spend time hiking, biking, reading, planning and enjoys being with family. Emily is excited to connect with the families and utilize her passion for planning and organizing.
What I like about working for our company: “I enjoy being the first and last face the families see each day – it’s exciting to be so involved with every step and ‘Ohana has a great team/family that I am so happy to be joining!”
Favorite Quote:
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light” -Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter
-Retire in Montana to live in the woods and mountains
Yuriko Moriyama
OT Aide
Credentials and Interests:
Yuriko grew up in Seattle, Washington, and later moved to Wenatchee to live with her grandmother and sister. She graduated from Wenatchee High School in 2017, then went to Wenatchee Valley College to receive her Arts and Science degree (AA) in 2019. She took a break from school and went to work on a fish processing boat that went to Alaska for a year, where she met her Samoan boyfriend, Maanaima. After she returned, her grandmother got diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and shortly after passed away. Now Yuriko is the full-time guardian of her sister, Ashley and their 2 cats, Coco and Skippy, all while working at ‘Ohana and working towards attaining her medical interpreter certification. In her free time, Yuriko enjoys arts and crafts; mainly drawing and painting and collects an obsessive amount of stuffed animals; Squishmallows and Hello Kittys. She also enjoys experimenting with recipes for her family’s daily meals.
What I like best about working for our company:
“I enjoy seeing all the kids viewing ‘Ohana as a safe, happy playground instead of a “scary clinic.” The staff especially make the children feel comfortable and welcoming to ‘Ohana, almost as if this is another home for them.”
Favorite Quote:
“Do not settle for good enough. Set clear goals for yourself, make a commitment to reach them, and continue improving.”
Bucket List:
-Visit Japan
-Fly in a hot air balloon
-Visit the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica
-Go on a road trip around the US
Megan Creek
OT Aide
Credentials and interests:
Megan was born and raised in Wenatchee, WA. After graduating from Wenatchee High School, she went on to earn a B.A. in Psychology from Northwest University. Megan’s favorite season is fall and she enjoys baking, reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
What I like about working for our company:
“I appreciate the positive and encouraging environment at ‘Ohana. A member of my family was helped by ‘Ohana OT in the past, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to other families in my community.”
Favorite Quote:
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
– Travel to Hawaii
– See the Northern lights
Roxana (Roxy) Prado
OT Aide
Credentials and interests:
Roxy was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and later moved to Wenatchee for a more suitable and comfortable life. She has 2 older siblings that she considers to be her best friends. Roxy did one year of Running Start her junior year then dropped it her senior year to focus on her social life. She graduated from Eastmont High school in 2023 and is now at Wenatchee Valley college finishing up her AA and beginning her journey into the nursing program. In her spare time Roxy likes to bake, go to the gym, and spend time with her family and friends.
What I like about working for our company:
“I enjoy the fun and positive environment. They are highly motivated in helping people and patients as much as possible which is truly inspiring. I especially love being able to work with children and be a part of their lives, even in the smallest ways. I am so overly grateful to be given the opportunity to work for ‘Ohana.”
Favorite Quote: “Sometimes you’ve gotta work with what you’ve got.”
-Build my own home
-travel to New York during the holidays
-attempt to ski
Christy Rommel
Client Advocate
Credentials and Interests:
Christy has a Master’s degree in Social Work, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She is a writer and enjoys treasure hunting. She is married to Mark and has two married children. Christy’s daughter Jasmine is on the Autism spectrum. In her spare time, she enjoys socializing with family and friends, going to movies, and exploring beautiful Washington State. Christy works remotely from La Conner, WA.
What I like about working for our company:
“I love that ‘Ohana genuinely cares about children and families. Their innovative approach to helping children is impressive and I appreciate that the children see therapy as play. It is a privilege to be a part of a company that makes life changing impacts on client’s lives.”
Favorite Quote:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your heart and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke: 10:27
-Travel
-Publish a book
-Take sailing lessons
Amelia Hernandez
Client Advocate
Credentials and Interests:
Amelia was born in Mexico but moved to the United States when she was 9 years old. She is married and has two amazing children named Natalie and Orlando. Both of her children are on the autism spectrum. Amelia has 2 years of experience working with the Parent to Parent program. She gives parents resources and does activities and events on the weekends for families with children with special needs. Her focus and passion is helping out families. She enjoys traveling, painting, walking with her kids, and spending time with her friends and family.
What I like about working for our company:
“I love working for ‘Ohana therapy because everyone is very friendly. I truly believe in what this company does because I have a personal experience since both of my children are patients at ‘Ohana”
Favorite Quote:
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Gandhi
– Traveling
– Learning a new language
Mark Rommel
Billing
Credentials and Interests:
Mark has an associate degree in computer science and a bachelor’s degree in science/math. He is married to Christy and has two married children. Mark’s daughter Jasmine is on the Autism spectrum. In his spare time, he enjoys going to garage sales, seeing movies, playing with his dogs, spending time with his granddaughters, and taking long, scenic drives. Mark works remotely from La Conner, WA.
What I like best about working for our company:
“I love that ‘Ohana has a true passion for helping children and their families. Their unique approach to serving the whole family is so cool. It is joy to work with a staff that truly cares about their clients.
Favorite Quote:
“Some people can’t believe in themselves until someone else believes in them first.”
– Visit New Zealand
– Drive a Nascar car
– Go Skydiving
Fran Dunphy
Volunteer
Credentials and Interests:
Fran is a retired industrial hygienist, safety professional, teacher and business owner. Her company installed equipment and modified homes to accommodate people with disabilities in the Chicago area. Fran has helped ‘Ohana with all our insurance billing and has loved pouring into our ‘Ohana families in this way to help them get the services they need. In her spare time she enjoys playing bridge, going to musicals and associating with her friends at the Leavenworth Senior Center.
What I like about working for our company:
“I like to see the children enjoying themselves as they progress through their therapeutic goals.”
Favorite Quote:
“This too shall pass”
– West Coast / Mexico Cruise
