About Us

Vida Kids Therapy (VKT) was founded in 2023 by Cynthia Hughell. The inspiration behind VKT comes from the Costa Rican phrase "pura vida," meaning "pure life." This phrase embodies a positive outlook on life and is a common greeting among ticas and ticos, reflecting a deep appreciation for life’s simple joys.

At Vida Kids Therapy, we embrace the essence of "pura vida" in our therapeutic approach. Our mission is to enrich the lives of each child we serve by fostering a sense of well-being and positivity. We are dedicated to enhancing our clients' physical health, promoting independence, and empowering parents with the knowledge they need to support their children's development.

We currently provide pediatric physical therapy and occupational therapy services at schools, in-home and in-clinic, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to each child's unique needs.

Meet the Team

Dr. Cynthia Hughell PT, DPT

Cynthia is a pediatric physical therapist dedicated to helping children of all abilities. Her multicultural upbringing in a Costa Rican-American family, spanning South, Central, and North America, brings a unique perspective to her work. She's fluent in both Spanish and English and she earned her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Cynthia divides her time between a non-profit elementary school, contracted by Vida Kids Therapy (VKT), which specializes in children with neurological disorders and complex cases, and the VKT clinic. At the clinic, she supports a wide range of developmental needs specializing in 0-10 year old.

Certified in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) she seamlessly blends with her play-based therapy approach to make each session both effective and enjoyable. Passionate about her work, Cynthia is dedicated to creating individualized treatment plans tailored to each child's unique needs, ensuring optimal support and progress

Outside of her professional life, Cynthia is an early riser who finds peace at the beach and enjoys traveling. A devoted sports enthusiast, she loves both playing and watching sports like surfing, volleyball, soccer, and ping pong.

Dr. Stefani DiLucente PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Stefani has been a pediatric Physical Therapist since 2009. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with her doctorate in physical therapy following her internship at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She continued to expand her experiences in both private and public schools as well as in early intervention.

The impact that working with children and families can have on a child’s future is inspiring and incredibly motivating. Stefani believes that setting the foundation for a child’s future through patient and family education, building a rapport, and enjoyment of activity has the ability to change the trajectory of a child’s life.
Stefani loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her daughter Scarlett. She
loves to travel, try new restaurants, stay active, and cheer Scarlett on at her gymnastic meets.

Madeline Rooks

Office Manager

Madeline is the beating heart of VKT's administrative operations, working from her remote setup to expertly manage our scheduling needs.

With a meticulous eye for detail and unmatched organizational prowess, she ensures that our day-to-day tasks run seamlessly behind the scenes. Madeline's versatility and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset to our team.

On the weekends you can find Madeline directing/putting together films, hiking with friends or making delicious brick oven pizzas. We're lucky to have her as a member of our team.

Dr. Abigail Meger PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Abby grew up in Minnesota and completed her undergraduate studies at Gustavus Adolphus College, earning a Bachelor's in English with minors in Music and Film and Media Studies. She went on to earn her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in California. Abby is MNRI and DMI certified and works part-time in a school specializing in children with neurological disorders, contracted by Vida Kids Therapy. She also has extensive experience working with children with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, torticollis, Down syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, and a variety of genetic and chromosomal disorders in outpatient clinics.

Abby has always had a passion for working with children, and she loves connecting with each child and their family to set specific goals and create tailored plans that meet their individual needs. She finds immense joy in helping children achieve their goals and milestones, considering it one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.

Victoria Fabila, MSOT, OTR/L

Lead Occupational Therapist

Victoria is a licensed occupational therapist with extensive experience working with pediatrics in home settings, clinics, telehealth, and schools. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach.

Victoria is passionate about nurturing children's development and independence through play. Her therapeutic approach integrates play with a focus on enhancing various skills such as fine and gross motor abilities, adaptive behavior, social-emotional understanding, and cognitive growth.

She has worked with children of all ages, addressing a range of needs including feeding therapy and sensory processing.

Rianna Hawes

Social Media Marketing Manager

Rianna is our dedicated social media manager, that thrives on creating engaging and visually appealing content that drives brand growth and connection. She has a deep love for everything aesthetics, which fuels her creativity in crafting standout social media strategies. Recently, she’s embraced the incredible journey of motherhood to a wonderful daughter with special needs, making her connection to VKT significant, as her daughter is a current patient. When she’s not navigating the digital landscape, She enjoys cooking and hosting gatherings, bringing joy and warmth to friends and family.

Samantha Pressman MSOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Samantha is a new team member with over five years of experience providing high-quality care across the lifespan. She grew up in New York, earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Boston University, and completed her master's in Occupational Therapy at St. Augustine University of Health Sciences. Specializing in neurological rehabilitation and pediatric therapy, Samantha has worked in schools, rehabilitation centers, and home health, treating conditions such as sensory processing issues, fine motor delays, attention deficits, and motor planning difficulties.

She has expanded her expertise through mentorship with neuro-optometrists for vision therapy and clinicians specializing in the SOS approach to feeding. Samantha is passionate about helping children and their families develop the skills for success at home, school, and in the community.