Meet Our Team
Jia Liu
Director of Clinical Services
Jia is a dedicated Speech Therapist and successful entrepreneur. She is highly respected for her leadership and innovation in the speech therapy industry. With over 3 decades of experience, Jia has treated thousands of children, significantly impacting both patients and fellow clinicians. Jia co-owns and partners in multiple therapy companies, bringing her hardworking nature to every endeavor.
Growing up as an only child in South China, Jia was inspired by her parents, both physicians (an obstetrician-gynecologist and a nephrologist). She attended Beijing Language University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. In 1991, Jia moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to pursue her Master’s of Science in Communicative Disorders from The University of Alabama. Since 1995, she has been a practicing Speech Therapist in various settings, specializing in pediatrics.
As one of the founding partners of Helping Hands Therapy, Jia’s extensive experience and dedication have made her a leader in the field, known for her compassionate approach and innovative solutions.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jia enjoys a fulfilling personal life. She the mother to a wonderful son and recently became a grandmother, roles that she cherishes deeply. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and creating solutions to improve clinical services.
Jia is profoundly grateful for the opportunities to serve her community and make a positive impact on countless lives. Her dedication to enhancing clinical services and mentoring others highlights her passion for speech therapy and solidifies her leadership in the field.
Shonda Lankford Haynes, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Senior Director of Business Development
Shonda is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with over 25 years of clinical and management experience. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Occupational Therapy, a Master’s degree, and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Recently, Shonda furthered her expertise by earning an MBA, highlighting her commitment to both healthcare and business.
As a serial entrepreneur, Shonda finds joy in starting and operating various businesses, striving to bring innovative solutions and quality services to diverse communities. A proud native of Choctaw County, AL, she feels incredibly fortunate to provide therapeutic services in rural and underserved areas. Her extensive career has blessed her with a wealth of clinical experience, working with children and adults in a variety of settings throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi.
In her role as the Director of Business Development at Helping Hands Therapy (HHT), Shonda is deeply appreciative of the trust and support from the community. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve and positively impact as many lives as possible. The community’s faith in HHT has been the cornerstone of its success, and Shonda remains committed to giving her best every day.
Shonda is married to the love of her life, a physician who has been a great inspiration in her journey as a clinician. His unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in her growth in the medical industry, helping her become a better Occupational Therapist. In her spare time, Shonda is a life-learn learner and she enjoys dancing, content writing, gardening, and taking on new challenges.
Angela Sims
Rehab Manager
Lisa Smith
Business Manager
Lisa Smith has over 30 years of experience in medical office and business management. She loves supporting the incredible occupational, physical and speech therapists who are making such a huge difference in the lives of their patients. She also loves to garden, read, and play board and card games and Minecraft with her children and grandchildren. Her biggest joy is spending time in the presence of the Star-breathing God of the Universe and with friends and family and the love of her life, Mickey, her husband of almost 40 years.
Ken Hogue
HR Manager
Ken Hogue has been the HR Manager for Helping Hands Therapy since 2019. Previous to working with Helping Hands, Ken served as a youth pastor for 10 years. Ken is a big sports fan as well as a life long Atlanta Braves fan and his bucket list includes watching a game at every MLB ball park. Ken has never seen a single Star Wars movie and has no plans to but is an avid fan of “The Office”. When vacationing you’ll find Ken and his two daughters in Destin, FL or exploring a big city across America.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!”
– Wayne Gretzky
– Michael Scott
– Ken Hogue
Annabel Liu
Title
Annabel lives in London with her family, including two teenage kids who keep her on her toes! She graduated from Oxford Brookes University back in 2000, and since then has spent over 20 years working in HR roles in the UK. Her career has taken her through some exciting industries, including airlines and telecommunications, where she’s tackled everything from talent management to creating inclusive workplace cultures. Since May 2023, she’s been working remotely at Helping Hands Therapy. It’s a fantastic role where she gets to combine her passion for people with the organization’s mission to deliver top therapeutic services.
Outside of work, Annabel is all about cooking and loves getting creative in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking bread and desserts. Whether it’s trying out new recipes or perfecting old favorites, baking is her way to have fun with flavors.
Jack Wang
Accountant
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