Meet Our Specialists

Heather Withall, MS, CCC-SLP, QOM

Heather Withall is a New York State Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Qualified
Orofacial Myologist (QOM) who has been practicing in the field of communication disorders for nearly 3 decades. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech- Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) and has permanent New York State certification as a Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped. In addition to holding her QOM, Heather has advanced training in Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) and is a Certified Myo Munchee Practitioner. She is passionate about helping children who may be experiencing the negative impacts of orofacial myofunctional disorders on their communication and overall health. She works with families and other providers in a team approach to create functional treatment plans that lead to great outcomes.

Aside from her professional role, Heather is the proud mother of two teenage boys who keep her on her toes. In her spare time, you may find her with her husband on the sidelines of a soccer game or a track meet. If the weather is good, she will likely have her mini dachshund, Sofie, in tow! As a parent herself, Heather seeks to provide balanced, practical strategies for improvement that families can easily incorporate into their busy lives!

Gina Sykes, MS, SPECIAL EDUCATION

Gina Sykes is a dedicated Special Education Teacher with 28 years of experience
supporting children with diverse learning needs. A lifelong resident of Fairport, New
York, she has built her career on the belief that every child has the capacity to thrive
when given the right tools, understanding, and encouragement.

Gina earned her Bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College before completing her
Master’s degree in Special Education at Nazareth College. Over the course of her
career, she has specialized in working with children who exhibit emotional and
behavioral needs, serving in a variety of settings including BOCES, Crestwood
Children’s Center, the Rochester City School District, and Bright Start, where she has
contributed her expertise for 19 years. Her work has consistently centered on creating
supportive, individualized environments that empower students to succeed.

In addition to her educational background, Gina holds a Master’s Degree in
Acupuncture from the Northeast College of Health Sciences, expanding her
understanding of holistic approaches to wellness and human development.

Guided by the belief that all children want to do well, Gina is committed to helping them
“shine brightly” by identifying and addressing their unique needs. She is equally
passionate about partnering with parents, providing them with effective strategies to
support their children’s growth. Gina views this collaboration as essential—not only for
fostering a strong parent–child bond, but also for creating the foundation for lasting
success in every child’s life.