Creating A Better Tomorrow by helping children and families heal and flourish from their past into their future.
207 E. Northern Lights Blvd Suite 101 Anchorage, AK 99503
P: 907-222-9905 || F: 907-222-9925
The Ownership Team
As the owners, we take the mission of this business to heart. We have worked hard to make this clinic a reflection of our values and dedication to serving the Anchorage community. From the beginning, we identified our shared family values and brought them to the heart of this business. We use our values to guide decisions and help us develop new ways to grow our team and our impact. The clinic started small and we are proud of the growth achieved.
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1996 and worked in a hospital setting where I got experience with adult acute care, rehab, subacute and outpatient for 5 years. In 2001, I was given the opportunity to go outside my comfort zone and work in an outpatient pediatric clinic. I was surprised to find a love working with children. Throughout my career, I have prided myself on being a jack of all trades, I sought out training in a variety of areas but did not have an interest is specializing in any specific area. I enjoy the variety of various diagnoses and ages. In 2012, my husband, two children, and myself moved to Alaska. I took a position working with the fetal alcohol diagnostic team in March of 2013 as a way to become more involved in the community and increase my relationships with the other professions in the area. I had no idea the impact this would have both professionally and personally. Upon returning from my first international fetal alcohol convention in 2015, I was contacted about foster care. My family has been fostering since 2015 and it has put precious little faces to the community epidemic of mental illness and trauma. My family has experienced firsthand the frustrations of lack of services or acknowledgement that our children are impacted and cannot advocate for themselves. I have a passion for making an impact on society by providing services for the infants and children that have been impacted by a traumatic start to life. I love working with families and being able to celebrate in their joys and successes. Until recently, I had not envisioned myself owning my own business, but I am excited about the opportunities to work with families and professionals and increasing the awareness of trauma and its impact to help build A Better Tomorrow. I look forward to being able to continue to use the skills that I have acquired over my 20+ years of practice as well as building a clinic that is trauma informed and focused on improving quality of life for the entire family unit.
I graduated from Mount Aloysius College in rural Pennsylvania in 2006. My primary job has always been in outpatient pediatric therapy settings. From 2008 through 2010, I also worked part time in hospital, long term care units, and skilled nursing facilities working with adults in a variety of diagnoses. My experience in pediatrics is varied. I have worked with a wide range of diagnoses and conditions over the years. Each child and family bring about a unique experience that helps to transform my knowledge base. I am addicted to learning more and in December of 2021 got my PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development with an emphasis on mental health and developmental disorders. I am an expert and training leader for DIR/Floortime treatment, credentialed through ICDL. While I have a strong background in many areas, I have a passion for infant and early childhood feeding challenges, including breastfeeding; Autism treatment; sensory processing and modulation; emotional and whole body regulation; and infant and childhood mental health. I grew up in Pennsylvania, started my career in Maryland, and moved to Alaska in 2010 with my husband, Andrew, and our two children, Alexia and Carter. It was a big move, and we have been so happy here. In 2005, before I had graduated from occupational therapy school, my husband and I started a business that we have talked about expanding into something that we could work together and help make an impact on the world. That business has expanded into A Better Tomorrow Therapy and Wellness Center, and I could not be happier that we are finally doing what we set out to do so long ago. It is my hope and dream to be able to help children and families grow into their future.
I graduated massage school in rural Pennsylvania through Computer Learning Network (CLN), which is now York Technical Institute (YTI), in 2005. I have worked in salon settings and offered private massages throughout the years under my own business license. I enjoy tailoring massage to each individual client's needs. I offer a Swedish based massage technique that focuses on the relief of muscular stress and tension. Techniques include trigger point therapy, deep tissue, and myofascial release. I also have training in prenatal massage, infant massage, post-natal massage, and sports massage. I have worked in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and am excited to expand into serving the Alaskan community. I moved to Alaska with my wife, Krystal, and our two children, Alexia and Carter. We are excited to be here, and I am excited to be expanding my business with my wife and our friends to serve the needs of Anchorage. I am currently working toward a degree in Health Sciences with the plan to enroll in graduate school to become a physical therapist.
I graduated from R.B. Hayes H.S. in Delaware, Oh and attended Eastern Michigan University (studying Music Education) where I met my wife, Jamie. I worked for several years in the fast-food industry quickly working my way up from line prep to General Manager, leading my own team and facility. In 1999, I trained and became a licensed commercial driver. I worked for 12 years in this industry always gravitating towards and excelling at the customer service and training aspects of the job. In 2012, after much prayer, God blessed our family with the opportunity to move to Alaska. At that time, our children were entering their freshman and sophomore year in high school, and we decided it was time for me to take a break and reconnect with the children, catching up on the things I had missed out on over the last few years. Eventually, we determined for everyone’s sanity, “Dad” needed to get back to work. After a short stint with Aflac, I found myself back in the transportation industry taking a job with Reliant Transportation. After a year as a special needs school bus driver and driver trainer I was promoted to Dispatch Supervisor. Jamie and I are parents to 2 wonderful bio children Drew, 24-years old and Bailey, 23-years old. Jamie and I have always had a heart for children. We have been blessed to foster 23 children and counting. We adopted our son M.J. in March 2020 and Zeke in November 2021. My wife has always encouraged me to look for an opportunity that stretched my abilities, challenged me daily, and touched my heart. A Better Tomorrow isn’t just a catchy name for our business, it is what we strive to provide, not only for our clients and their families, but for our staff and personal families as well.
Our Office Staff
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our office staff is typically the first interaction with the clinic that patients and their families experience. Without their continued efforts and dedication, we would not be able to run our office with efficiency and ease. Scheduling appointments, fielding phone calls, rescheduling appointments, managing our newsletter and social media, billing checks, and billing questions, this crew handles it all.
Billing Specialist
Bailey Bleakey, CMA (AAMA)
Joined the team in 2021​
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I started at ABTAK in February 2021. I oversee general operations at ABTAK and coordinating billing between the families and the insurance companies. Finding care for your child is difficult enough and I believe families should not also have to stress about understanding their insurance. I have had the pleasure of watching ABTAK grow since the beginning and am excited to see how many lives we can impact. In my free time, I enjoy decompressing at home by cooking and hanging out with friends. I enjoy hiking and camping in the summer and hibernating in the winter. I became a Certified Medical Assistant in the summer of 2021.
Scheduling Specialist
Laniaja Hunter
Joined the team in 2024
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​I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I have several years of experience in the healthcare industry, starting on the dental side then moving over to medical. I enjoy traveling, painting, and spending time with family and friends in my free time. I'm excited to work with ABTAK and the families as I love making a difference and seeing children happy and smiling.
Our Therapy Team
Family Center. Trauma Informed. Child Lead
Our therapy team works hard to meet the needs of their clients. They are active learners who work as a team to bring about the best possible outcomes for their clients. Some have been with us from the beginning and some are new, all are essential to making the clinic move forward toward our mission.
Physical Therapist
Amy Forbes, DPT
Joined the team in 2019
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I graduated from Springfield College in 2012 with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I began my career in CT, working in an outpatient pediatric clinic and continued working in pediatrics after moving to Alaska in 2013. I have always been passionate about children, particularly in the special needs community, working with this population through various volunteer opportunities in high school and college and working as a camp counselor/teacher with Eden Autism Services for 9 summers after finishing my undergraduate degree. My interest in pediatric physical therapy began while volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding program in CT where I worked for close to 10 years before moving to Alaska. Since moving to Alaska, I have loved having opportunities to use my knowledge as a PT across a variety of settings including hippotherapy and aquatics. In 2016, I began the process to become a foster parent and adopted my girls in 2019. Experiencing the therapy world as a foster and now adoptive parent has helped me to grow as a clinician and has opened my eyes to the world of trauma and the hope for resilience. This has made me more passionate not only about the children I serve, but their families as well. I am excited to join the team at A Better Tomorrow and to be able to use my experience and passions to impact the lives of families and to make an impact in this community.
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Occupational Therapist
Dianne Agosto, OTR/L
Joined the team in 2022
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I am originally from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, where I completed a Master degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008. In 2010 I started my outpatient clinic working alongside an SLP and a school tutor while helping kids that were struggling with learning disabilities, Autism, and sensory processing disorder. This experience motivated me to complete the Sensory Integration certification (SIPT) sponsored by USC and WPS. I also completed a certification in Handwriting without Tears. A few years later, in 2017, I moved to Florida and started working in an outpatient clinic and in a school setting until 2022. I recently was hired as a bilingual traveler OT and that's how I got here to Alaska. Being a traveling OT combines 2 of my biggest passions, traveling and helping children to be independent and successful in their daily living tasks. My future plans are to complete a Doctoral degree and to continue acquiring more knowledge and experiences to help my kiddos. I'm planning on staying at A Better Tomorrow until the end of June with the possibility of extending my contract until the end of 2023. It is my prayer that during the time that I'm here in Alaska I can sow seeds of hope to help children and their families grow into a better tomorrow.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Zarinah "Inah" Cruz, SLPA
Joined the team in 2025
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Hi! I'm Inah, a recent SLPA graduate from UAA. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, I enjoy the outdoors - camping, fishing, and biking. Outside of school and work, I appreciate time with my family and loved ones. I also enjoy trying new things, like trying out new recipes or dreaming about my next adventure. As a new SLPA, I'm excited to build my skills in areas like articulation, fluency, and social communication. Through my practicum experiences in a clinic and school setting, I appreciated the diverse perspectives. However, it was at ABTAK where I gained valuable insights and skills. I’m looking forward to being a part of ABTAK and hope to make a positive difference!
Occupational Therapist
Teodora Gajik Bakic
Joined the team in 2025 (not currently at the clinic, but is coming back!!!)
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Teodora is a traveling therapist that joined the staff January-May 2025 and will be returning January-May 2026. She has spent time working in the Philadelphia area, but most recently has been focused on Interactive Metronome in Sweden where her husband works as a professor.
Speech Language Pathologist
Lindsey Mast, MS, CCC-SLP
Joined the team in 2025
Lindsey is a speech therapist providing SLPA supervision for Inah while we work on expanding our speech therapy department after some recent, sudden staffing changes. Additional bio information to come soon!
Physical Therapist
Ashley Saxe, DPT
Joined the team in 2025
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Ashley graduated with a Doctor in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020. She moved to Anchorage later that year and has loved living and adventuring in Alaska. Ashley is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, including the Pediatric Section, Aquatics Section, and the Alaska chapter. Ashley is a Certified Level B Practitioner of Dynamic Movement Intervention. She has also completed training in infant handling through the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association. Ashley loves making PT fun and functional, and enjoys bringing the "real world" into the clinic as much as possible. Ashley enjoys traveling internationally and has had clinical experiences in Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Guatemala, and recently participated in a PT outreach trip in Bangladesh. She is excited to be here in Alaska and is enjoying the adventures the state has to offer. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and cross country skiing. Ashley just bought a house in Anchorage with her wife and is excited to explore and make Alaska home!
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Macayla Thaggard, COTA/L
Joined the team in 2025
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Macayla comes to us from the south with a passion for helping children learn and grow. More bio to come soon!
Physical Therapist
Madeline Schafer, DPT
Joined the team in 2025
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My name is Maddie and I'm a PT from Chicago! I chose to make the 60 hour drive up to Alaska for a change of scenery and to explore the great outdoors, away from the Midwest. I'm a child at heart and love to work with young people to optimize their mobility and better interact with their environment. In my free time you can find me knitting at a coffee shop or exploring outside with my dog, Clover!
Occupational Therapist
Elyse Powderly, OTR/L
Joined the team in 2025
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Hello! My name is Elyse and I have been an Occupational Therapist for about 7 years. I worked for about 5 years at a hospital in northern Virginia before I began travel therapy. I have been all over the country with my husband John and our husky dog Klaus. We are excited to be in Alaska to see the beautiful mountains and enjoy the outdoors. I am excited for this next opportunity to work with pediatric clients and their families to help them achieve their goals!
Physical Therapist
Brenna Fleitman, DPT
Joined the team in 2025
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Hi, I’m Brenna, a passionate new graduate with a focus on holistic care and pediatric physical therapy. Growing up in a small Texas town, I’ve always dreamed of exploring the world, which led me to begin Travel PT, and journey to Alaska. I’m particularly interested in developmental milestones and strive to treat the whole person, guided by the philosophy of cura personalis. With a deep love for working with children, I’m committed to providing individualized, compassionate care that supports both physical and emotional well-being. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring Alaska's breathtaking landscapes, finding balance and inspiration in the state's natural beauty.
Occupational Therapist
Nichole Magnus, OTR/L
Joined the team in 2025
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Hi, my name is Nichole. This is my second year of being an OT. I went right into travel therapy as a new grad, and I fell in love with it. I have worked in both adult and pediatric settings, as well as in inpatient and outpatient settings. I am from New Jersey and have worked in Minnesota and California. Being a travel OT has helped me to grow tremendously both personally and professionally. It has also helped me to fully embrace my love for nature and adventure. I love to travel internationally, try different foods, go hiking, and spend time outdoors. I have always loved spending time with and working with children and am excited to be working in a pediatric clinic again. I am looking forward to falling in love with the beautiful outdoors of Alaska, as well as getting to meet and know new people.
Occupational Therapist
Lianna Procida, OTR/L
Joined the team in 2025
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Hi my name is Lianna Procida. I am from Long Island NY and went to college in Elizabethtown PA for Occupational Therapy. I graduated college in 2021 and began my OT career working in subacute rehab. I've also had experience in hand therapy, acute care, and outpatient pediatrics. I have always had a passion for OT and continue to love what I do everyday. In my practice I'm committed to using a person-centered approach, tailoring interventions to meet each child’s unique needs, strengths, and goals. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and camping. I've always had an interest in traveling therapy and Alaska is actually the first stop for me and my husband in our self-converted van. I’m excited to be a part of this community and can’t wait to continue helping children!
Speech Language Pathologist
Eric Wichorek, CCC-SLP
Joined the team in 2025
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My name is Eric, and I’m a speech-language pathologist who was born and raised here in Anchorage, Alaska. I first discovered my passion for helping others while earning my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the UAA. I’ve always loved being part of the learning process and supporting individual growth, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with the Anchorage School District, the hospital system in Sitka, and local private outpatient therapy. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing, reading, writing, playing chess, and staying active.
Speech Language Pathologist
Taylor Faust, CCC-SLP
Joined the team in 2025 (starting September 22)
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Bio to come!
Support Staff
Resourcefulness. Safety. Cleanliness.
This part of our team is vital for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our clinic running smoothly. We are grateful to have dedicated staff focusing on fixing things that break, clinic safety inspections, routine maintenance, daily cleaning, and periodic deep cleaning of our clinic spaces.
Maintenance Support
Michael Pabody
Joined the team in 2023
Janitorial Support
Shantina Gillion
Joined the team in 2024
Janitorial Support
Carter Vermeire
Joined the team in 2024