Medical and Therapeutic Advisory Board

Burton V. Burkholder is a trusted dermatologist, who has degrees in Religion (Bachelor of Arts), from Duke University, as well as an MD from the University of Virginia.  His specialty is in dermatology, FAAD, residency training at Wake Forest University. He is an adjunct clinical professor of dermatology at the UVA School of Medicine.  He currently works in Charlottesville, VA in private practice. He has been known to read research journals for hours looking for the cause of a rare condition and is humble enough to continue to refer a patient to other doctors to attempt to solve a skin problem, not a trait we see often in doctors.   He is married to Kathleen, and has three children, Olivia, Lauren, and John.   Two very interesting facts about Dr. Burkholder that one would never know by visiting him in his office, is that he sang opera at Duke University, and that he is a composting and organic gardening nut!

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Heather Grunden, Speech Language Pathologist

Heather Grunden is a speech/ language pathologist in Charlottesville, Virginia who is dedicated to helping children with intellectual and developmental disabilities find their “voice”.  She believes that all children have a right to be heard, whether it is through speaking, sign language, pictures, or a communication device. She received her Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s of Science Degrees from James Madison University in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  Heather is certified with the Virginia Board of Health Professions and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Her passion of working with children with special needs began at an early age, growing up with a family member with special needs.  Heather lives in Albemarle County with her husband, two children, and three cats.

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Gay Singletary is a respected Occupational Therapist with more than a decade of experience working with pre-school and elementary aged children who have a variety of disabilities. She worked for 10 years as a child development specialist in a large children’s hospital before returning to school where she received a Master’s degree in OT. Gay has practiced in pediatrics, both private practice and school based, for 14 years.   She particularly enjoys working with children with severe and multiple disabilities.  She makes adaptive toys as a hobby. Gay has a 13 year old son with multiple disabilities who has definitely been her best teacher!