Larry Zier, OTD, OTR/L, earned his clinical doctorate degree from Creighton University. He has received training in the areas of sensory...
Our Team
Therapists
Amy Zier, MS, OTR/L, Ph.D
Founder, Supervisor
Dr. Amy Zier founded Amy Zier & Associates, Inc. in 1997 in response to the limitations of traditional therapy settings...
Emma Fricke, MS, OTR/L
Therapist
Emma graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University....
Vasilios Niphoratos, MOT, OTR/L
Therapist
Vasilios received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Sociology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and received his Master of Occupational Therapy degree...
Hayley Younkin, OTD, OTR/L
Therapist, Operations Manager
Hayley graduated from Wheaton College with a major in Applied Health Science. She also completed a 6-month internship in Quito,...
Jessie Simkins, MOT, OTR/L
Therapist
Jessie attended the University of Iowa, majoring in Health and Human Physiology with minors in Psychology and Spanish and a...
Karen Dilfer, MS, OTR/L
Therapist
Karen has a bachelor of science degree from Calvin College and a masters of science degree from Washington University in...
Sophia Mendoza MS, OTR/L
Therapist
Sophia received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Gender Studies from Grinnell College and later continued her education to pursue her Master’s...
Eliana Sigel-Epstein, MSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist
Eliana graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA, and received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Chicago. She has experience working with children and parents in a variety of contexts...
Paulina Pei, MS, OTR/L
Therapist
Paulina received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and her Master of...
Lauren Ship, MOT, OTR/L
Therapist
Lauren attended Bradley University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She spent several months volunteering at a clinic...
Marquie Price, OTD, OTR/L
Therapist
Marquie obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with minors in Early Childhood Education, and Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies from DePaul University. She received her Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University.
Administrative Staff
Sherita Underwood
Administrator/Billing Specialist
Sherita is currently an undergrad student at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Psychology. She works in the AZ+A office, helping new families get started with therapy successfully. She most enjoys building new relationships and appreciates the culture within AZ+A allows her to learn as she goes and to grow.
In my free time, Sherita likes to read, listen to podcasts, and spend time with close family and friends. Her secret superpower wishes would be to fly, read minds, and have super strength. We already know that Sherita is super strong!
Erin Gilmore
Operations manager
Erin has become an integral part of AZ+A’s team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Art and Psychology. Her favorite thing about being AZ+A’s operations manager is getting to talk to the kids when she does work in the playhouse. Sometimes when fixing or install things with a hammer or drill, it is to show whoever may be playing in the clinic what is going on.
Her time at the clinic and working with the OTs may be the catalyst for an occupational therapist career of her own one day! Erin finds the work and the AZ+A environment fun and exciting. At some point, she thinks she has discovered everything, and then one day she notices something entirely new, like an exciting toy that may have been hiding previously. If she has her dream superpower of telekinesis, she’d be able to move all the toys around with her mind!
During her time away from AZ+A, Erin creates illustrative artwork, some for herself and some for people to buy. She also likes to rock climb, bike, hike, read, and explore different cities (as well as Chicago)
Hera
Morale Booster
Hera is a 6yo English Lop. When not munching on lettuce or hay, she enjoys relaxing with some treats. She also enjoys running laps and jumping around her open space. Hera enjoys spending time at the clinic for the extra love, pets, and of course, treats. Hera loves allowing children the opportunity to care for her while she hangs out in AZ+A
Leo
Playhouse Therapy Pup
Leo has loved coming to AZ+A since he was 8 weeks old. You can usually find him in the office, courtyard, and occasionally the ball pit (when nobody is looking!) Leo is a therapy dog in training and loves snuggles, treats, and playing all kinds of games. Stop in and say hi to Leo for some puppy love!