Shannon Apel, M.A., CCC-SLP
Shannon has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2016. She received her master’s degree from University of Iowa. Shannon is trained in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, the Lidcombe Program, Hanen Centre in “More Than Words”, Pivotal Response Treatment, and Improving Parents as Communication Teachers (ImPACT). Her areas of expertise include autism spectrum disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, and feeding and swallowing disorders.
Melethia Barnes-Cooper, M.A., CCC-SLP
Melethia has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 1991. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Kansas. She is certified by The Hanen Centre in “It Takes Two to Talk”, “Learning Language and Loving It”, and SPARK Programs. She is a certified infant massage instructor and is trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding and in DIR Floortime. Her areas of expertise include early childhood language, bilingual communication services in Spanish, central auditory processing, and parent education with an emphasis in early childhood mental health.
Taylor Bromley, M.A., CCC-SLP
Taylor has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2015. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from San Diego State University. Taylor is certified by the Hanen Centre in “More than Words”, and she is trained in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) and the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Her areas of expertise include early intervention, autism, apraxia of speech, augmentative and alternative communication, and feeding.
Stephanie Burgener-Vader, M.A., CCC-SLP
Stephanie has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2009. She received her master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University. Stephanie is bridging level Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT)-trained, certified by The Hanen Centre in “It Takes Two to Talk” and “More Than Words” programs for parents, and trained in Social Thinking, Social Communication, Emotional Regulation (SCERTS), a specialized approach to address the needs of children with autism. Her areas of expertise include early intervention, acquired brain injury, apraxia of speech, autism, genetic disorders, and communication and feeding intervention for medically fragile children.
Leiah Cutkomp, M.A., CCC-SLP
Leiah has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2022. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Connecticut. Leiah is trained in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Her areas of expertise include feeding and swallowing disorders, cognitive-communication disorders after acquired brain injury, voice disorders, and multilingualism.
Catherine Dabasinskas, M.A., CCC-SLP
Catherine has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2001. She received her master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from University of Colorado Boulder. Catherine is certified by The Hanen Centre in “More Than Words”. Her areas of expertise include aural (re)habilitation, cochlear implants, early intervention, fluency, autism, tongue thrust swallow, and articulation.
Midelys Deida Acevedo, M.S., CCC-SLP
Midelys has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2025. She received her master’s degree from California State University, Northridge. Midelys is certified in the Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants (SOFFI) method and has received training from the Hanen Centre. Her areas of expertise include feeding and swallowing disorders and neuro-cognitive rehabilitation.
Kristen DeNucci, M.S., CCC-SLP
Kristen has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2013. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University. Kristen is trained in Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) and Social Thinking curriculum. Her areas of expertise include dysphagia, feeding disorders, traumatic brain injury, augmentative-alternative communication, and medically complex patients.
Valerie Dorfman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Valerie has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2005. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University. She is a native Spanish speaker, originally from Peru, who specializes in working with bilingual/bicultural populations. Valerie is certified by The Hanen Centre in “It Takes Two to Talk” and “More Than Words” and is trained in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) and the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Her areas of expertise include cleft lip and palate, craniofacial disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, hearing loss, cochlear implants, autism spectrum disorders, apraxia of speech, and medically complex patients.
Marahu Falcon George, M.A., CCC-SLP, NTMTC
Marahu has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2012. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is Neonatal Touch & Massage Certified and has training in Supporting Oral Feeding in Medically Fragile Infants (SOFFI), Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS), Infant Driven Feeding (IDF), Adapted Baby Led Weaning, Beckman Oral Motor, and Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP). Her areas of expertise include pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders.
Jonathan Forfa, M.S., CCC-SLP, CLE, CNT
Jon has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2016. He received his master’s degree in Communication Sciences from Chapman University. Jon is trained in BaByVFSImp, surface electromyography, and the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. He is a certified Lactation Education Counselor and certified to provide Vital Stim therapy for swallowing disorders. His areas of expertise include feeding and swallowing disorders, particularly for tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients.
Mallory Krkoska, M.A., CCC-SLP
Mallory has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2016. She received her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Memphis. Mallory is certified by The Hanen Centre in “It Takes Two to Talk” and “More Than Words”. Her areas of expertise include feeding and swallowing disorders in the acute care setting, cognitive rehabilitation after brain injury, language disorders, and early intervention.
Carly Leach, M.S., CCC-SLP
Carly has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2022. She received her master’s degree in Communication Disorders from California State University, Chico. Carly is trained in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Her areas of expertise include traumatic brain injury, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), Down syndrome, aural (re)habilitation, and autism spectrum disorders.
Julia Leclerc, M.S., CCC-SLP, Supervisor, DS Outpatient Services – Speech
Julia has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2015. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington. Her areas of expertise include cleft palate-related speech and language disorders and vocal cord dysfunction. Julia serves as the Supervisor for outpatient Speech-Language Pathology.
Alexine Julia Leon, M.S., CCC-SLP
Alexine has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2008. She received her master’s degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Syracuse University. Alexine is certified by The Hanen Centre in “It Takes Two to Talk”. Her areas of expertise include infant development, early intervention, feeding and swallowing disorders, and voice disorders.
Christiana Leyrer, M.A., CCC-SLP
Christiana has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2011. She received her master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University and was a LEND Trainee (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities). Christiana is trained in Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to Feeding, Social Thinking curriculum, and auditory verbal therapy. Her areas of expertise include autism spectrum disorders, apraxia, early language development, feeding, d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing, aural (re)habilitation and cochlear implants, and bilingual-bimodal language.
Bianca Lopez-Weeks, M.A., CCC-SLP
Bianca has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2020. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Austin with a specialization in bilingualism/multiculturalism. Her areas of expertise include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and bilingualism.
Miranda Loucks, M.A., CCC-SLP
Miranda has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2015. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University. Miranda is trained in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Her areas of expertise include dysphagia, feeding disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, fluency, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), apraxia of speech, and early intervention.
Naomi Lowe, M.S., CCC-SLP
Naomi has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2019. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, San Marcos. Naomi is certified in Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Her areas of expertise include acute feeding/swallowing disorders in the pediatric and neonate population and cleft-palate/craniofacial anomalies.
Taylor Neff, M.S., CCC-SLP
Taylor has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2021. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arizona. She is trained in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Her areas of expertise include early intervention, autism spectrum disorders, pediatric feeding disorders, voice disorders, and cleft palate.
Elise Marlowe, M.A., CCC-SLP
Elise has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2024. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University. Her areas of expertise include early childhood language, articulation and phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and fluency/stuttering.
Natasha Maxwell, M.A., CCC-SLP
Natasha has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 1997. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a specialization in multicultural early childhood intervention from San Diego State University. Her areas of expertise include diagnostics, early intervention, and early childhood language.
Kimberly Morris, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, IBCLC, Lead, Cardiac and Aerodigestive Feeding Programs
Kimberly has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2006. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University. She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing disorders and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. Her areas of expertise include infant and pediatric dysphagia with a specific focus on children with congenital heart disease and aerodigestive feeding impairments. Kimberly serves as the Lead for the cardiac and aerodigestive feeding programs.
Julia Newton, M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS
Julia has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2020. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from San Diego State University. Julia is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Her areas of expertise include acute rehabilitation of acquired cognitive-communication impairments secondary to neuro-based injuries.
Alice Ramirez, M.S., CCC-SLP
Alice has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2024. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Gallaudet University with specialized training in hearing loss. Her areas of expertise include bilingual/bimodal language development, hearing loss, cochlear implants, aural rehabilitation, early intervention, and voice disorders.
Jose Rojas, M.A., CCC-SLP
Jose has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2024. He received his master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University. Jose is trained in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach. His areas of expertise include resonance disorders, voice care, alternative and augmentative communication, dysphagia, developmental language disorders, and early intervention.
Melissa Sartori, M.S., CCC-SLP, Feeding Team Coordinator
Melissa has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2009. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of the Pacific. Melissa is trained in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding and is certified in VitalStim. Her areas of expertise include feeding and swallowing, hearing loss, augmentative and alternative communication, and medically complex patients. She is fluent in Spanish. Melissa serves as the Coordinator for feeding programs across the San Diego Region.
Sarali Saulog, M.S., CFY-SLP
Sarali has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2025. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Monterey Bay. Her areas of expertise include early intervention, autism spectrum disorders, and multilingual language development. She is fluent in Tagalog.
Lauren Spear, M.S., CCC-SLP
Lauren has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2023. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. Her areas of expertise include pediatric articulation/phonological disorders, early intervention, autism spectrum disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), cleft/craniofacial abnormalities, and stuttering.
Savannah Strange, M.S., CCC-SLP
Savannah has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2019. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University. Her areas of expertise include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and autism spectrum disorders.
Amanda Wacenske, M.A., CCC-SLP, Manager, Speech-Language Pathology
Amanda has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2009. She received her master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University, as well as a Certification in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology. She is trained in Prompts for Restricting Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), The Hanen Centre “More Than Words”, and is certified to provide dysphagia therapy using VitalStim. Her areas of expertise include voice, vocal cord dysfunction, feeding and swallowing, resonance, cleft palate/craniofacial differences, bilingualism, and early intervention. She is fluent in Spanish. Amanda serves as the Manager for outpatient Speech-Language Pathology.
Danielle Ward, M.A., CCC-SLP, CLE, Supervisor, DS Inpatient and Medical Therapy Services
Danielle has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2016. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Long Beach. Danielle is Certified as a Lactation Educator and is certified to provide dysphagia therapy using VitalStim. Her areas of expertise include feeding/swallowing, cognitive-communication disorder, pediatric acute care, and high-risk infant follow up. Danielle serves as the Supervisor for inpatient rehabilitation programs.
Ashley Woods, M.A., CCC-SLP
Ashley has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2009. She received her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati. Ashley is certified by The Hanen Centre in “It Takes Two to Talk” and has training in Social Thinking, Social Communication, Emotional Regulation (SCERTS), Transactional Support, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Her areas of expertise include early intervention, autism spectrum disorder, feeding and swallowing disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Liana Yee, M.S., CCC-SLP
Liana has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2017. She received her master’s degree in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology from Illinois University. Her areas of expertise include cognitive language, Down syndrome, autism, cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities, cochlear implants, and aural (re)habilitation.
Camille Zaman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Camille has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2022. She received her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Chapman University. Her areas of expertise include neurodevelopment, infant feeding and swallowing, FEES, brain injury rehab, and autism spectrum disorders.