Speech Services

Eileen joined the Center in 2016. She earned her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Indiana State University in 2016, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University in 2012. Eileen has clinical experience evaluating and treating children and adults with a variety of communication needs, including: early intervention services, articulation/phonological deficits, and receptive/expressive language development.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences from The Ohio State University
• Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from George Washington University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Auditory Processing
• Autism
• Fluency

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech Language Hearing Association

A fond experience I have had with a speech client:

One of my young clients had been working on saying his sister’s name for many months. When he was finally able to say her name, his sister was elated! He said her name over and over again, clapping and giggling.

Something fun about me:

I rang the victory bell at the Ohio State football stadium after an Ohio State vs. Michigan game!

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Speech & Hearing Sciences, The Ohio State University
• Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, University of Akron

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Hearing Impairments

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech Language Hearing Association

A fond experience I have had with a speech client:

I have created such a good relationship with a client that we have a nickname for one another – it’s amazing to have the opportunity to gain this much trust from a child!

Something fun about me:

I love to sing and help lead worship at my church!

Education:

• B.S. from Ohio University
• M.A. from The Ohio State University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Fluency
• School Age and Adolescent Language Disorders
• Reading

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech Language Hearing Association

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

Helping others.

Something fun about me:

I have two rescue dogs, Franny and Olive.

Andrea joined the center in 2006. She earned her Masters of Arts in Communication Disorders in 2001 from Marshall University and received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from Marshall University in 1999. Andrea’s areas of interest include evaluation and therapy for Language Processing Disorders and language development.

Hillary joined the Center in 2016. She earned her Master’s of Science from the University of Alabama in 2016 and received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Ohio State University in 2014. Hillary’s areas of passion include services for pediatrics, with an emphasis in articulation therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Joelle joined the Center in 2016. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Kent State University in 2015, following her bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Kent State University in 2014. Miss Umstead’s areas of expertise include diagnostic and treatment services for pediatric clients, with an emphasis in the areas of receptive and expressive language, social pragmatic skills, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Susan joined the center in March 2009. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from West Liberty University in 2002 and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at West Virginia University in 2004. She has experience working with a vast range of disorders. She has worked with adults and pediatrics but her passion is working with children. She is a member of the American Speech- Language -Hearing Association.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences from The Ohio State University
• Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from Miami University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Articulation/Phonology
• School-Age Language Disorders

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech Language Hearing Association, Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Why did I become a speech therapist?

It combines two things that I’ve always been drawn to: the leading and teaching aspects of being a classroom teacher and the scientific and patient treatment aspects of being a doctor.

Something fun about me:

I can play the oboe!

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences from The Ohio State University
• Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Diagnostic and Treatment Services for pediatric clients, with an emphasis in the areas of Articulation
• Receptive/Expressive Language
• Social Skills

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

The variety and creativity! Each client is different, each disorder is different, and each session is different. No day is alike and goals can be targeted in many different and fun ways. My goal in every session is to have the most fun possible.

Something fun about me:

I’ve been skydiving twice (definitely recommend) and have eaten fried tarantula (definitely wouldn’t recommend!).

Dr. Gelacek joined the Center in 1996. She earned her Ph.D. in Speech Pathology from Kent State University and her Master’s degree in Speech and Hearing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She maintained private practices in speech pathology in Pennsylvania and in Ohio prior to joining the Center.

Dr. Gelacek’s areas of expertise include Voice, Accent Modification, and Speech Fluency. She created the Corporate Speech Program and specializes in enabling individuals in corporate and professional settings to achieve success through enhanced voice and speech skills. She has specialized training in modification of foreign and regional accents. Mimi conducts the weekly Parkinson Speech Group sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation.

Julie has been a member of the speech department at the Columbus Speech & Hearing Center since 1998. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Speech Pathology from Bowling Green State University in 1998 and Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from B.G. in 1995.

Julie’s areas of expertise include diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders in children with a variety of speech, language and communication challenges with an emphasis in serving the birth to three population as well as those children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Miami University
• Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from University of Toledo

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Fluency Therapy
• Social Skills Groups
• Transgender Voice Therapy

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association, working toward board certification in fluency disorders

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

Meeting such fabulous individuals and families in my community and helping to make an impact on their daily communication.

Something fun about me:

I have a bird in my office named Sir Pecks-a-Lot.

Lora joined the Center in 1999. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech & Hearing Science from the Ohio State University in 1999 and her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University in 1997.  Lora’s areas of expertise include diagnosis and treatment of a variety of speech and language disorders in young children.

Education:

• Bachelor’s from The Ohio State University
• Master’s from University of Alabama

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Articulation
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Autism
• Early and Preschool Expressive and Receptive Language Development

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

The best part about being a speech therapist is getting to play all day long!

Something fun about me:

I moved around a lot growing up. I have lived in 8 different cities across the South and Midwest!

Education:

• Bachelor’s from The Ohio State University
• Master’s from Bowling Green State University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Ages Birth-3 Language
• Articulation
• Preschool and School-Age Receptive and Expressive Language

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Ohio Department of Education

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

I love building a close connection and relationship with my clients and their families/caregivers. I enjoy educating and empowering the parent of my clients and providing them with the tools necessary for successful and functional communication. I love being challenged and the learning never stops as a speech therapist.

Something fun about me:

I’ve been skydiving in Argentina and would love to do it again!

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Speech & Hearing Science from Indiana University
• Master’s in n Speech Pathology from The Ohio State University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Leadership & Management related to the Speech-Language Pathology Field

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Something fun about me:

I love seeing my two boys grow up, spending time with our dog Browser, and being on vacation with my family in Hilton Head.

Education:

• Bachelor’s from University of Rochester
• Master’s from Miami University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• School-Age Language
• Social Communication
• Stuttering

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Stuttering Association, FRIENDS: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

Watching a client become more confident with their communication skills.

Something fun about me:

I love to travel and collect key chains from every place I visit!

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Ohio University
• Master’s in Communication Disorders from Marshall University

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Group Therapy Programs
• Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

A fond experience I have had with a speech client:

One of my group therapy programs really enjoyed “acting” out scenarios. We decided to spend the summer creating a play about how to be a good friend. At the end of the summer they performed the play for their families and other clients at the center. They were so proud of their work and demonstrated that they understood the social skills we had worked on all summer!

Something fun about me:

Something fun about me? I am the fun! I also enjoy long walks in my neighborhood with my dog, Richard, while we search for my other dog, Sharon, who likely ran away.

After earning her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Katie began her career at Columbus Speech & Hearing Center as a Clinical Fellow in 2007.  In 2013, Katie became an Assistant Director in the Speech Department.  Her focus as an Assistant Director is the recruitment and training of new speech-language pathologists at the Center.  Katie’s passion in the field of speech-language pathology is overall child development, diagnosing and treating a variety of communication disorders, and working with children of all ages.  Katie loves meeting families and helping children become successful communicators.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University
• Master’s from Loyola College in Maryland

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Autism
• Early Intervention
• Social Skills

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Why did I become a speech therapist?

I wanted to be able to help others have a voice.

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

Providing my clients and their families with support as my client’s gain their “voice” and learn to communicate their wants and needs!

Something fun about me:

I have three daughters, a chocolate lab, and love the TV show “The Office”.

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Bowling Green State University
• Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Tennessee

Professional Areas of Interest and Specialty:

• Autism
• Early Intervention
• Feeding Deficits
• Preschool Speech and Language Disorders

Professional Memberships/Associations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

What is the best part about being a speech therapist?

Helping parents to feel empowered to help their children meet their goals

Something fun about me:

I enjoy weightlifting and can squat and deadlift 200lb.

Jennifer joined the Center in 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Miami University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University. Jennifer specializes in the treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), severe articulation/phonological disorders and early language development.