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Cochlear Implant Surgeons

photo of Daniela CarvalhoDaniela Carvalho, M.D., FAAP, M.M.M.,Director, Rady Children’s Hearing Program, Pediatric Otolaryngologist and Cochlear Implant Surgeon; Professor, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego
Dr. Carvalho has been a pediatric otolaryngologist at Rady Children’s Hospital since 2003 and is a professor in the Department of Surgery at UC San Diego. She is the director of the Rady Children’s Hearing Program and the medical director of Surgical Services at Rady Children’s, where more than 20,000 procedures are done each year. Working with the Cochlear Implant (CI) team, she has helped grow our CI Program and is committed to bringing the best outcomes for each child with a robust and family- centered program. She cares for more than 400 cochlear implant patients and was the first surgeon in San Diego to perform a pediatric BAHA surgery. She continues to bring innovative procedures to the Hospital, such as endoscopic ear surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that improves the surgical results and expedites the recovery of children with various ear problems. She speaks five languages (including Portuguese, Spanish, German and French) and is often invited as a guest speaker at international conferences. Dr. Carvalho is also an active clinical researcher with several publications and presentations at national and international meetings. She is a member of multiple otolaryngology societies, including international ones, and is one of the few Chapter Champions in California representing Early Hearing and Infant Screening with the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also active in improving California state laws regarding pediatric hearing loss.

 

photo of Elina Kari, M.D.Elina Kari, M.D., Neurotologist/Otologist
Dr. Kari is a leading otology, neurotology and skull base surgeon, with a focus on pediatric hearing loss treatment and research. After completing her undergraduate education at UC Berkeley, she spent several months researching malaria in the Peruvian Amazon. Her deep commitment to service and education led her to a career as a physician. After completing medical school at the University of Michigan, Dr. Kari’s passion for problem-solving and anatomy further led her to become an otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon. She completed residency training in surgery at Emory University, followed by a neurotology fellowship at the world-renowned House Ear Institute. Prior to coming to UC San Diego, she was the principal surgeon of the pediatric cochlear implant program at Keck University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, one of the busiest centers in the country for pediatric hearing loss. She was also the lead neurotologist at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and performed several complex neurotologic surgeries on children as young as 7 months old.  Dr. Kari is particularly interested in hearing disorders, hearing restoration surgery, pediatric hearing loss, development of novel neuroimaging of auditory pathways and clinical outcomes research. She is widely published, has presented her research at several national and international conferences, and has been an invited speaker around the world. Dr. Kari holds passports from the U.S., Brazil and Finland, and speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese fluently.

Cochlear Implant Program Coordinator

photo of Keri M. ColioKeri M. Colio, Au.D., CCC-A, Cochlear Implant Clinical Coordinator
Keri joined Rady Children’s in 2013 and works at the Main Campus location, where she serves as the cochlear implant program coordinator. She received her doctorate in audiology from East Tennessee State University in 2013 following completion of a four-year residency program. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in audiology from the University of Tennessee. Keri is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She maintains an audiologist license from the state of California and serves as a subject matter expert on the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. Keri also serves on the board of directors for the Society of Ear Nose and Throat Advancement in Children.

Cochlear Implant Community and Educational Liaison, Research Analyst

Olivia CarrilloOlivia Carrillo, M.A, Cochlear Implant Community and Educational Liaison, Research Analyst
Olivia has a Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a Concentration in Communicative Sciences from San Diego State University. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University. Olivia’s goal is to provide support for DHH children in the school setting alongside assisting numerous research studies at RCHSD. Olivia is passionate and dedicated to supporting underserved families and their needs. She works at the Main Campus location.

Cochlear Implant Family Support Specialist

Cochlear Implant Family Support SpecialistSabrina Sullivan, MSW, Social Worker I
Sabrina joined Rady Children’s in 2023 and works at the Kearny Mesa Plaza location. Sabrina has a Master of Social Work from California State University, San Marcos. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of San Diego. She completed an MSW practicum internship at Rady Children’s KidSTART Center providing clinical care coordination to families with children 0-5 years-old with complex needs. Sabrina’s goal is to provide support and resources to cochlear implant families going through difficult times relating to their child’s developmental, behavioral, and medical needs, in addition to other life stressors. She is dedicated to providing empathetic and non-judgmental care to these families.

Clinical Psychologist

photo of Ayala Ben-TallAyala Ben-Tall, Ph.D.
Ayala is a clinical psychologist specializing in evaluation of development and behavior in children. She has been with the Developmental Services Department, including the Cochlear Implant team, since 2000. Ayala received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She completed a pre-doctoral child psychology internship at Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a child psychology post-doctoral fellowship at Bradley Hospital through Brown University School of Medicine. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of California.

Cochlear Implant Audiologists

photo of Kristen BaisleyKristen Stanton, Au.D., CCC-A
Kristen received her Doctorate in Audiology from Indiana University, where she also earned a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance. Prior to joining Rady Children’s Hospital, Kristen completed her audiology externship at Cleveland Clinic. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of California for audiology and hearing instrument dispensing. Kristen is part of the cochlear implant, hearing aid and vestibular evaluation management teams. She works at the Kearny Mesa and Escondido locations.

photo of Kristina BevillKristina Willis, Au.D., CCC-A
Kristina received her Bachelor of Arts with honors in speech pathology and audiology at Calvin College and completed her Doctor of Audiology at Central Michigan University in 2021. While obtaining her doctorate, she completed pediatric-focused rotations at the Medical University of South Carolina and University of Michigan, as well as completing her final year of clinical study at Rady Children’s. She specializes in diagnostics, hearing aids and vestibular disorders. Kristina holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and an audiology license in the state of California. She works at the Main Campus location.

photo of Keri ColioKeri Colio, Au.D., CCC-A, Cochlear Implant Program Coordinator
Keri joined Rady Children’s in 2013 and works at the Main Campus location, where she serves as the cochlear implant program coordinator. She received her doctorate in audiology from East Tennessee State University in 2013 following the completion of a four-year residency program. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in audiology from the University of Tennessee. Keri is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She maintains an audiologist license from the state of California and serves as a subject matter expert on the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. Keri also serves on the board of directors for the Society of Ear Nose and Throat Advancement in Children.

photo of Erin M. LevyErin M. Levy, Au.D., CCC-A
Erin has been an audiologist since 2002 and has a passion for working with children, implantable devices, and electrophysiology. She received her doctorate in audiology in 2006 from the University of Florida, her Master of Science in audiology from Washington University (Central Institute for the Deaf) in St. Louis in 2002, and her Bachelor of Science in 2000 from St. Louis University. She holds a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of California for audiology and hearing instrument dispensing. She is also a member of AG Bell and the American Cochlear Implant Alliance. She works at the Main Campus location.

photo of Ellen Smith, Au.D.Ellen Smith, Au.D.
Ellen received her Doctor of Audiology in 2020 from San Diego State University and UC San Diego’s  joint audiology doctoral program. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from UCLA. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is a licensed audiologist and hearing aid dispenser, and works at the Murrieta location.

Cochlear Implant Speech Pathologists

Melethia Barnes-Cooper, M.A., CCC-SLP, has been a speech-language pathologist since 1991 and began working at Rady Children’s the same year. Melethia specializes in early childhood language and bilingual communication services in Spanish. She has also been active in inter-agency collaboration and parent education. Melethia received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Kansas and is certified in Hanen. She is licensed by the state of California, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a current member of the ASHA.

 

photo of Christina BloodworthChristina Bloodworth, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS cert. AVT
Christina has been working as a speech-language pathologist since 2014 and has worked for Rady Children’s since 2017. She is a LSLS Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist. She provides clinical services in person and via telemedicine in English, Spanish and ASL. Christina attended Southern Connecticut State University and received her bachelor’s degrees in Communication Disorders, Elementary Education/Special Education Collaborative and Spanish, along with her master’s degree in Communication Disorders with a concentration in Speech Language Pathology. Prior to working at Rady Children’s, Christina worked at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She also has experience working with children in schools and private practice. Her special interests include bilingual language development in Spanish and ASL, aural rehabilitation, early intervention, telepractice and literacy. She is licensed by the state of California, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a current member of the ASHA and AG Bell. She is also a licensed teacher in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (K-12).

photo of Catherine DabasinskasCatherine Dabasinskas, M.A., CCC-SLP
Catherine has been a speech-language pathologist and has worked at Rady Children’s since 2001. She specializes in working with children with hearing loss, cochlear implants, articulation difficulties, multiple disabilities, autism and dyspraxia. Catherine uses American Sign Language and augmentative/alternative communication with children to enhance their communication skills. She received her master’s degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Catherine is licensed by the state of California, holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a current member of ASHA.

photo of Christiana DavidChristiana Leyrer, M.A., CCC-SLP
Christiana has been a speech-language pathologist with Rady Children’s Hospital since beginning her career in 2011. She specializes in treating the whole child and family in the following areas: autism spectrum disorders, apraxia, early language development, feeding, d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing, aural (re)habilitation and cochlear implants. She is trained in Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Level 1, Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) and Sequential Oral Sensory approach to feeding. She has additional training with Social Thinking curriculum and Auditory Verbal Therapy, and is pursuing an American Sign Language Science certificate. Christiana is conversationally fluent in American Sign Language and provides care within Rady Children’s outpatient clinic and Alexa’s PLAYC. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders with a minor in psychology in 2009 and a master’s degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences in 2011 from San Diego State University. She is licensed by the state of California, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a current member of ASHA.

photo of Valerie DorfmanValerie Dorfman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Valerie joined Rady Children’s in 2008 and has been a speech-language pathologist since 2005. Originally from Peru, Valerie is a native Spanish speaker who specializes in working with bilingual/bicultural populations. She has experience working with children with a variety of communication impairments, including those with speech and language delays, hearing loss, cochlear implants, cleft lip and palate, autism spectrum disorders, apraxia of speech, traumatic brain injuries, and Down syndrome. Valerie received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Boston University. She is licensed by the state of California, holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a current member of ASHA.

Lindsay Mitacek, M.S., CCC-SLP, has been a speech-language pathologist since 2014 and has worked at Rady Children’s since 2019. Lindsay’s experience includes the evaluation and treatment of children with articulation, pragmatic, cognitive, fluency, and expressive/receptive language disorders in the school, clinic and medical setting. She has a strong background in American Sign Language and uses her knowledge and experience in these areas to address each patient’s individual needs. Lindsay’s special interests include early intervention, articulation/phonology and autism spectrum disorders. She is certified by DIR Floortime. Lindsay received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication disorders and sciences from Southern Illinois University. She is licensed by the State of California, holds a certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is a current member of ASHA.

Jennifer Peterson, has been a speech pathologist and since 2011 and has worked at Rady Children’s Hospital since 2013. Jennifer has special talent in the areas of brain injury rehabilitation, apraxia of speech, dysphagia, and alternative augmentative communication. She enjoys participating in both volunteer and research activities. She is ASHA certified. Jennifer’s goal in working at Rady Children’s Hospital is to partner with families to help children improve their cognitive, communication and feeding skills.

Photo - Speech - QualmanAlice Ramirez, M.S., CF-SLP,  is trilingual in Spanish, English, and American Sign Language and has been working at Rady Children’s since 2023. Her clinical interests include bilingual bimodal language development, hearing loss, cochlear implants, aural rehabilitation, early intervention, and voice disorders. Alice earned her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Gallaudet University with specialized training in hearing loss and her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and deaf education from Utah State University. Prior to pursuing a career in Speech Language Pathology, Alice served as a Social Worker for the Department of Social Services Child Protective Services for two years. This experience has fostered her empathetic and compassionate approach to working with families and individuals from diverse backgrounds. Alice’s goal is to empower children and their families with access to multimodal tools and strategies to support their communication.

photo of Melissa SartoriMelissa Sartori, M.S., CCC-SLP
Melissa has been a speech-language pathologist since 2009 and has worked at Rady Children’s since 2011. Her special interests include early intervention, childhood speech and language development, articulation/phonology, social skills, augmentative-alternative communication and autism spectrum disorders. She is a member of the Rady Children’s Feeding Team and also facilitates the Mommy, Daddy & Me (Spanish) and Gateways language programs. Melissa received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech-language pathology from University of the Pacific. She has previously worked in schools, outpatient clinics and hospital settings. She is licensed by the state of California, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a current member of the ASHA and the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

photo of Liana YeeLiana Yee, CCC-SLP
Liana has been working as a speech-language pathologist since 2017 and has worked at Rady Children’s since 2019. She is a bilingual Spanish-speaking therapist and has previously worked abroad in a neuropsychological rehabilitation clinic in Quito, Ecuador. Prior to joining Rady Children’s, Liana worked at Providence Speech and Hearing at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. She also has experience working on a multidisciplinary autism specialty team in the school districts in Boston. In addition to cochlear implants and hearing loss, Liana specializes in cleft palate and craniofacial abnormalities and is a member of the Rady Children’s Cleft Palate Team. Her other areas of clinical expertise include Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and early intervention. Liana received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and her master’s degree from Illinois State University. She is licensed by the State of California and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Audiology Manager

photo of Julie PurdyJulie Purdy, Ph.D., CCC-A
Julie has been a part of the Diagnostic Audiology team since 2007 and became the manager of audiology in 2014. She earned her doctorate in philosophy at the University of Utah in 1990, specializing in multicultural audiology and aging. Julie received her Master of Science in 1985 and her Bachelor of Arts in 1983, both in communication disorders from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is licensed by the state of California. She primarily works at our Main Campus location.

Speech Pathology Manager

Shari Garrett photoShari Garrett, M.S., CCC-SLP, CHTP
Shari has been a speech-language pathologist since 1983 and began working at Rady Children’s in 1985. She is the manager of the Speech-Language Pathology Department and specializes in the areas of voice, autism, vocal cord dysfunction, oral motor and phonology. In the treatment of voice disorders and vocal cord dysfunction, she incorporates integrative medicine. Shari received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She is a certified speech-language pathologist and is a current member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the California Speech Language and Hearing Association and the San Diego Early Childhood Mental Health Leader Collaborative. Shari is Hanen certified as well as a certified healing touch practitioner. Her goal in working at Rady Children’s is to continue to implement and create innovative therapy to help children and families communicate at their highest potential.