Meet our team of experienced and caring pediatric therapists. They are a highly committed team whom work together to promote your child’s greatest potential and opportunity for growth.
Tonya McCool – Physical Therapist, Early Intervention SupervisorTonya McCool, PT, DPT, PCS is a full-time, licensed physical therapist, board certified pediatric specialist, and Early Intervention supervisor who received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Chatham University and previously received her bachelor’s degree in health science from Mount Aloysius College. She joined the team in 2017 with a return back to Windber which was her home town. With a passion for helping children thrive from the early start, she pursued her passion to open early intervention services through Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber to offer children residing in Cambria, Somerset, and Bedford county services in their natural/home environments. Her areas of practice focus include early intervention treating children 0-3 years old and in the outpatient clinic treating the pediatric population. When not at the clinic, you will often find Tonya spending time with family and friends, seeking out a local coffee shop, staying involved in the community, getting outdoors, and crafting.
Christa Diaz – Occupational TherapistChrista is a full-time, licensed occupational therapist who joined the Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber team in 2024. She graduated from Saint Francis University in 2023 with her masters degree in occupational therapy. Christa has experience working in in-patient rehab, school-based therapy, 0-3 early intervention, and outpatient pediatrics. Outside of working as an OT, Christa likes to spend time with friends and family and with her cats at home.
Shannon Faith – Speech TherapistShannon is a full-time speech pathologist and clinical supervisor with a master’s degree in speech language pathology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has more than 15 years of extensive experience in multiple venues including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, homecare, and was the director of speech therapy services in Virginia. Due to her passion with helping those with dysphagia or swallowing disorders/deficits, she has a specialty certification in Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation and is always completing continuing education courses to increase her knowledge and understanding of the new and upcoming information in speech/language/swallowing treatment. Her background interests include swallowing, neurological deficits, and auditory processing deficits. She is a native of Windber where she also resides to date with her husband and three children. She has a passion for giving children a purpose to communicate and help all to succeed towards goals.
Brianne France-Layton – Speech TherapistBrianne has been a speech therapist at CSSMCW since 2020. She holds a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has experience with patients across the lifespan in the outpatient setting, acute care, and in the NICU. Brianne’s passion lies in working with the pediatric population in the areas of articulation, language, and feeding and swallowing. She believes in a strengths based approach to therapy, emphasizing connection, and supporting all forms of communication. Outside of work, Brianne enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her 3 children in their various endeavors, knitting, attending concerts, and performing in local theater productions.
Carly Hajjar – Physical TherapistCarly received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Saint Francis University in 2022 and is a full-time, licensed physical therapist. She joined the CSSMCW team in 2023 and specializes in Pediatric Physical Therapy and Early Intervention. Outside of physical therapy, Carly enjoys traveling, lake days, reading, and time spent with family, friends, and her two dogs.
Olivia King – Occupational TherapistOlivia King, MOT, OTR/L is a full-time, licensed occupational therapist who received her Masters degree from Saint Francis University in 2021. She joined the Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber team in 2025, bringing with her extensive acute care, neuro/stroke care, early intervention, and sensory integration experience. Olivia’s true passion is providing pediatric/early intervention occupational therapy services, and is often found to be unable to go a full day without singing at least 2 nursery rhymes (with hand motions included of course!). She loves to celebrate small achievements with her clients, and is always looking for new ways to educate and empower local families. When not at work, Olivia enjoys spending time with her husband, singing show-tunes, shopping, crafting, and snuggling with her two dogs.
Megan Painter – Physical TherapistMegan Painter is a full-time, licensed physical therapist whom joined the Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber team in 2012. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Francis University and undergraduate degree through Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is the pioneer of the pediatric physical therapy department with later additionally developing the CSSMCW Durable Medical Equipment Clinic. Megan has been the pediatric residency mentor since 2019 as well as a clinical instructor. She has held additional positions within Cyber School Home Care and Early Intervention services outside of the clinic. Though she has a passion for pediatrics she currently has taken the primary role as a mentor to new professionals within the department. Outside of therapy, Megan can often be found spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, and supporting her local Pittsburgh sports teams.
Taylor Palmer – Speech TherapistTaylor is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Though a newer clinician, Taylor has had a variety of experiences in a multitude of settings, including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, pediatric outpatient, special needs schools, and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Taylor has a passion for treating the pediatric population, as well as individuals in the acute care setting. Taylor is working to become competent in completing Modified Barium Swallow Studies in the pediatric through geriatric populations. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with her chocolate lab, Ryder, exploring new places, drinking coffee, and being around her family and friends.
Kristen Russo – Speech TherapistKristen is a full-time, licensed speech pathologist with more than 20 years of experience in early intervention speech therapy. Kristen received her Master’s degree from Bloomsburg University and undergraduate degree from Penn State. Working directly with families and watching young children learn new skills and how to better communicate is her passion. She feels blessed to be in a profession and setting that she truly loves. Her therapy interests lie in apraxia, hearing impairment, and cleft palate as well as overall communication development. Kristen finds every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and travel. When not providing therapy services, she cherishes time spent with her two children, friends and family.
Laura Shields – Occupational TherapistLaura is a full-time occupational therapist who joined the Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber team in 2021. She graduated from St. Francis University with her master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2012. Laura began her professional career in Virginia and has worked in variety of settings including school-based, inpatient rehabilitation, and acute care. She loves the pediatric setting and believes every child is unique and their uniqueness should foster their growth, not hinder it. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, listening to live music, reading and being outdoors.
Hannah Grace Wirfel – Physical TherapistHannah Grace is a full-time, licensed physical therapist who joined the Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber team in 2024. She remained close to home to receive both her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and her bachelor’s degree in health science at Saint Francis University. She has experience working in the outpatient orthopedic, pediatric, and early intervention settings. When Hannah Grace is not at work, she is likely to be spending time with her friends and family, playing a round of golf, watching a good movie, or enjoying the outdoors.