Alan Deal – Director
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, minor in psychology – Auburn University, 2012
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – Alabama State University, 2015
Alan Deal is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. He pursued his Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Alabama State University where he graduated top of his class. Alan has over eight years of experience working in geriatrics and previously served as the Director of Rehabilitation at Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home. In 2019, Alan was promoted to Senior Rehabilitation Director of all four Alabama state Veterans Affairs (VA) Homes before being promoted to Regional Vice President with Healthpro-Heritage to oversee 20+ communities across the Southeast.
Alan is trained in neuro techniques, wheelchair seating and positioning, assistive technology adaptive equipment, orthotics and is a certified dementia practitioner. He is working to become a certified autism specialist and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP).
Outside of the clinic, Alan serves as an Adjunct Professor of Adaptive Equipment and Patient Care Concepts (OTD7375), Servant Leadership (OTD7257) and Faith, Health, and Quality of Life (OTD7256). Alan is a devoted husband to his wife, Leah, and father to his daughter, Ellie.
Jan Welch – Clinic Manager
Jan Welch, affectionately known as “Mama Jan,” has been the Clinic Manager for the Faulkner Center for Therapy and Research since its opening in July 2022. Jan has an extensive background in business administration. Before joining the clinic staff, Jan served as Vice President of Operations at Davis Direct for eighteen years, a role with many hats, including upper management, human resources and fulfillment.
Jan and her husband Ralph are active members of their church in Montgomery. Outside of the clinic, Jan enjoys spending time outside, traveling, and reading, but most of all, she enjoys her role as Grammy to her four grandchildren.
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
Gloria Powell, M.S., CCC-SLP
Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders
Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology – University of South Florida
Gloria Powell is a certified speech-language pathologist and has been working in the field of speech-language pathology since 2000. Gloria has experience in hospital settings from in-patient rehab, acute care and outpatient rehab in roles including educator, trainer, supervisor and manager. Gloria successfully led the startup of an outpatient rehab location for the hospital. She is passionate about providing aphasia therapy, cognitive retraining, and voice therapy. Additional areas of specialty include adult swallowing and early intervention. She is intensely focused on evidence-based practice in cognitive-retraining, aphasia therapy, voice disorders and apraxia of speech in adults.
Outside of work, Gloria enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is also active in her church.
Kandice Lucas, M.A., CCC-SLP
Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders – University of Montevallo
Master of Art in Speech Language Pathology – Faulkner University
Kandice Lucas is a Faulkner University alumni where she was a part of Faulkner’s first Speech-Language Pathology Master program graduating class. She has over three years of hospital acute care and outpatient experience in working with Adult and Pediatric Dysphagia, cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), Phonological Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and Language Disorders.
She resides in Chilton County with her husband, Chace, and enjoys being active in her church.
Elizabeth Grant, M.S. CCC-SLP
Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders, concentration in Rehabilitation and Special Education – Auburn University
Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology – Georgia Southern University, 2017
Elizabeth Grant obtained her Certificate of Clinical Competence in 2018 and has since gained experience in pediatric language development, articulation therapy, feeding disorders, sensory integration, and engagement/play interventions. She has worked in both elementary and middle schools and pediatric outpatient clinics, where she has provided in-person and telehealth services.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her children, Judah and Eleanor, and her husband, Tyler. They are active in their church in Montgomery and love working specifically with the teenagers in the student ministry.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Kendall Alford, M.S., OTR/L, ASDCS
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology – Mississippi State University
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – Alabama State University, 2020
Kendall Alford became a national board-certified OT in 2020. She has over 4 years of experience in pediatric and adult outpatient therapy. She is skilled in evaluating a child’s current skills related to play, school performance, and daily activities while working in tandem with other medical professionals and the child’s family to develop the most efficient plan of care to allow for independence in the child’s everyday life by addressing sensory, social, behavioral, gross motor, fine motor, balance, coordination, problem-solving, and environmental issues.
Her areas of expertise are Sensory Integration, Play-Based Therapy, Astronaut Training Protocol (Visual, Auditory, and Vestibular Triad), and Primitive Reflex Testing and Integration Techniques. Kendall is also an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and serves as an anatomy lab assistant (Basic Science 1: Human Anatomy – OTD 6520) and adjunct professor of Basic Tenets of OT Practice 1 (OTD 6330).
Amanda Semba, M.S., OTR/L
Bachelor of Science – Samford University
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2018
Amanda has over six years of experience in pediatric outpatient therapy, working with children with a variety of diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, various genetic disorders, developmental delays, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, and sensory processing disorder. Additionally, Amanda has been involved in educating future practitioners from multiple graduate and doctorate-level occupational therapy programs around the state. Amanda believes that first building a foundation of trust and acceptance is essential to making meaningful progress with every child she treats.
Outside of her professional commitments, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, Jake. They are active members of their church and enjoy involvement with the music ministry, as well as spending time with their dogs, Sadie and Clover.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Cela’ Q. Ardis, ALC
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education – Alabama State University, 2016
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Faulkner University, 2021
Cela’ Q. Ardis is a clinical mental health therapist. Cela’ is passionate about counseling and working with individuals of all ages to overcome a variety of issues. Cela’ specializes in working with children ages 10 and up, adolescents and adults experiencing suicidality, self-harm, stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and other variety of issues that are a concern for the client. Cela’ is working to obtain certification for treating adolescents and adults with anxiety disorders. Cela’s main focus and priority is the client’s well-being. She strives to guide all clients toward reaching their therapy and life goals. Cela’s approach to psychotherapy consists of utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and solution-focused therapy. Cela’s passion behind her work is supported by her faith in God guiding her to support and treat all clients. Cela strongly believes in treating people fairly with respect, compassion and understanding while working towards becoming the best reflection of themselves.
In her spare time, Cela’ enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog (Charm). She is an active member of the Alabama Counseling Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Jennifer Ingram, ALC
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics – Blue Mountain College
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Faulkner University
Jennifer Ingram is a Faulkner University alumni who has experience working with clients experiencing trauma, anxiety and depression. She is a Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist and is working to obtain her Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Certification.
Jennifer believes that therapy can provide a safe space for people to work through problems and find the strength within themselves to continue moving forward. She hopes that people will leave therapy sessions feeling encouraged and validated.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family. She is active in her church and enjoys working with the children’s ministry.
