James Madison University

Faculty and Staff

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ASHLEY RIHA, MSOT, OTR/L, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Ashley Riha is an alumna of James Madison University, having completed her B.A. in Psychology and earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University. While at JMU, Ashley volunteered at OTCES and fell in love with the setting and the community we serve, and always hoped to return.

Ashley has participated in numerous inclusive programs and summer camps throughout the Shenandoah Valley, including hippotherapy, aquatics, sensory camps, handwriting clinics, and JMU’s Overcoming Barriers programs for children in the community. Ashley has completed fieldwork rotations at a sensory development center and an adult inpatient rehabilitation facility and her passions lie in pediatrics, yoga, emotional regulation, sensory integration, and neurological conditions.

Ashley lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her 8-year-old daughter and together they love exploring nature and all things Pokemon.

She joined the OTCES staff in April 2021.

photo of Taylor Mahanna

TAYLOR MAHANNA, MSOT, OTR/L, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Taylor completed her undergraduate B.S. in Health Science with a minor in Psychology from Clemson University, followed by her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Columbia, South Carolina. She moved to Virginia in 2021 after seeing what all this beautiful state had to offer.

Taylor has previous experience working in an outpatient pediatric orthopedic clinic, coaching special needs soccer, baseball, and Special Olympics stand-up paddle boarding teams, and founding a community outreach yoga program in SC called the Yogi Bears. She completed her level II fieldworks at a skilled nursing facility working with the geriatric population and in a pediatric clinic in Colorado Springs. She has been involved in providing therapy to those with sensory processing disorders, autism, developmental delay, neurological and orthopedic conditions, and many more. Taylor has always had a passion for working with those of all ages and abilities and is especially devoted to helping children reach their full potential.

She joined the OTCES staff in February of 2022.

photo of Katy Smith

KATY SMITH, MS CCC SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Katy Smith is an alumna of James Madison University. She completed her B.S. in Anthropology and her M.S. in Speech Language Pathology.

While at JMU, Katy participated in the Scottish Rite summer camp, the Speech-Language clinic, and an externship at a local elementary school. Katy has worked in a variety of settings including home health, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinic, where she assisted individuals with their speech, language, cognitive, voice, augmentative communication, and swallowing needs. Her passion has been serving adult and geriatric populations with an expanding interest in pediatrics. She believes in the power and value of communication across the lifespan.

Katy enjoys cooking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, yoga, and playing outdoors with her husband and two small children.

She joined the OTCES team in February 2022.

photo of Peyton Armtrong

PEYTON ARMSTRONG, MSOT, OTR/L, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Peyton is a graduate of Shenandoah University where she received both her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and received her Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology. Peyton has always had a passion for working with pediatrics, including completing her fieldwork experiences at Valley Health Outpatient Pediatric facility, Sky Climb and OTCES. Peyton completed additional fieldwork at University of North Carolina in Goldsboro, NC where she worked with adults, specializing in hand therapy where she developed additional skills in evaluating and treating injures and conditions of the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and thumb.

Over the past few years, Peyton has enjoyed working with children in a variety of settings including private day schools, outpatient clinics and summer camps. She has provided skilled services to individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, Development and Intellectual disabilities and Neurological and Orthopedic conditions. Peyton enjoys providing fun and creative experiences in combination with a family centered approach to promote meaningful skills within their everyday lives.

Peyton is also part of the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program (SVRP) and provides OT for students with disabilities in Rockingham County Schools. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and rescue pup kayaking, camping, and raising chickens.

She joined OTCES in June 2023.

photo of Karen Lilly

KAREN LILLY ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

Karen has worked at JMU in various departments as an Administrative Assistant/Specialist since 2007. She has worked in event planning, data entry/management, and with fiscal management. She is proficient in Microsoft Office and has completed several courses in WordPress, Marketing, Social Media Management, and SharePoint.

Karen and her husband have lived in the Shenandoah Valley for 30 years and have two adult children. Karen and her dog, Tucker, volunteer as a therapy team visiting at schools, Sentara RMH, and JMU. When home, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, completing challenging brain games, and watching TV.

Karen joined OTCES in March 2023.

photo of Julie Bonham

JULIE BONHAM - OTD, MSOTR/L, C/NDT

Julie Patrick Bonham received a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from James Madison University, a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University, and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine. She is NDT certified, having met high standards of proficiency in the Management and Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy and other Neuromotor Disorders. Dr. Bonham also achieved SI certification through the University of Southern California/WPS Sensory Integration Certification Program.

Julie Patrick Bonham, OTD, MSOTR/L, C/NDT has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare as an administrator, clinician, educator and advocate. She is an instructor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Occupational Therapy Program at James Madison University. She is also the Director of Occupational Therapy Clinical Education Services, a pediatric outpatient clinic, at James Madison University. She was the clinical coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Bonham co-founded Pediatric Therapy Specialists, PLC in the greater D.C. Metropolitan areas and has also served pediatric populations in a variety of additional practice settings, including the school system and early intervention. Dr. Bonham currently serves as a Co-Director for the Central Virginia Burn Camp, a camp for pediatric burn survivors.