Meet the team!

Loren Littrell Finck MHS, CCC-SLP

Loren is a native of Mexico, MO and graduated from Mexico Senior High School in 2010. She received both her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Communication Sciences & Disorders at The University of Missouri in 2014 and 2016 - MIZ! After graduation, she worked at Boone Hospital Center and Rusk Rehabilitation in Columbia, MO where she honed her skills in the world of medical speech pathology. She worked with patients in acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient levels, and also became the lead SLP in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), working with infants and their families experiencing feeding/swallowing difficulties. After spending 5 years working in Columbia, her and her husband were ecstatic to move home to take a jobs in Mexico. Loren worked in the outpatient setting at the local hospital treating both adults and children. She started The Speech Lab shortly afterward and now enjoys treating patients of all ages, but has a special passion for speech sound disorders and swallowing. Loren is a Licensed SPEAK OUT! Provider and a Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) trained clinician. In her free time, Loren enjoys spending time with family and friends outdoors and going to Mizzou football games.

Ceres Neff MS, CCC-SLP

Ceres was born and raised in Palmyra, MO, however, has called Columbia home for the past 7 years. She proudly graduated as a Leatherneck from Western Illinois University with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2016 and 2018. 

Ceres began her career as an SLP in the skilled nursing setting learning to rehabilitate and advocate for the elderly with post-acute and neurodegenerative cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders. She then transitioned to the outpatient hospital setting at Boone Hospital Center where she met The Speech Lab’s fearless leader, Loren! Ceres was able to grow and learn across the lifespan in this setting and developed interests in evaluating and treating speech sound disorders, early language delays, and Parkinson’s speech and swallowing. For the past three years, Ceres has worked in the private practice setting splitting her time between clinic and schools where she has enjoyed training and practicing in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders, Gestalt Language Processing, and mitigating the impacts of speech and language disorders on educational success. 

Outside of work, Ceres’ most treasured title is, “mama.” Ceres, her husband, and their one-year-old son enjoy cooking, golfing, and cheering on the STL Blues together. Ceres can often be found consuming health and wellness content or executing yet another home organization project! 

Kim Stephens MHS, CCC-SLP

Whitney Lewis MS, CCC-SLP

Whitney is a native of Mexico, she graduated from Mexico Senior High School in 2007. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Missouri State University in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Whitney went right into working with children in the school setting as an SLP and later became the lead SLP and Process Coordinator. She also served as the In-District Autism Consultant. In 2018, Whitney moved back to Mexico to serve the children of the community that provided so much to her. She has an extensive background in education, with 11 years working in the public schools with children in pre-k up to 12th grade. She also worked PRN for Skilled Nursing Facilities. Whitney has a wealth of knowledge and special interests in speech and language disorders, literacy, autism, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and use of the Social Thinking method. Whitney is a Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) trained clinician. Whitney and her husband have two children and two dogs. In her spare time, Whitney loves spending time with her family, reading, and traveling. She is also a zealous Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals fan!

Kim resides in Columbia, Missouri with her husband and two children, where she was born and raised. A proud alumna of the University of Missouri, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Science and Disorders in 1999 and 2001, respectively. Over the course of her career, Kim has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in both public and private school settings, gaining invaluable experience in a variety of educational environments.

Kim is deeply committed to providing comprehensive and collaborative care, working alongside teachers, administrators, and other professionals to ensure that each child receives the support needed to thrive academically and socially. She is particularly passionate about addressing speech and language disorders in children ranging from Pre-K through 5th grade. Her areas of focus encompass early language development, phonological speech disorders, and the critical role these play in supporting reading and writing skills. In recent years, she has also focused on Gestalt Language Processing and is trained in Natural Language Acquisition, an area that has proven vital to enhancing many children's personal and academic development. 

Outside of her professional life, Kim enjoys spending time with loved ones, whether trying out new recipes in the kitchen, enjoying a coffee with friends, or making the most of the outdoors. She values meaningful connections and prioritizes time with family and friends as an important part of her life.

FAQs

  • We are in-network with:

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem

    • United Healthcare

    • Medicare

    • Missouri Medicaid (including Healthy Blue, HomeState Health)

  • Ask us about courtesy billing your insurance as an out-of-network provider! Many plans offer out-of-network benefits. We also accept private pay.