Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc.

Melanie Shultz, M.A., CCC-SLP is the President of Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. She earned her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University.

She is a member of the American Speech Language Association and the International Association of Orofacial Myology.

She is licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology. Melanie specializes in Myofunctional Therapy (Tongue Thrust Correction and Thumb Sucking Elimination). She has been in practice since 1997 where s he worked for a contract company and private practice until October 2001 at which time she opened Specialized Speech Technologies as her own private practice.

Sharon Izzi joins Specialized Speech in July 2007 as our Receptionist. She attended college at Mt. St. Joseph in Cincinnati in 1966.

Throughout her career history, she has always been affiliated with medical professionals in an administrative and secretarial manner. What is most rewarding to Sharon is seeing patients heal and seeing their goals met through progressive
treatment.

Megan Fitzpatrick, M.A., CCC-SLP joins Specialized Speech in September 2006. She earned her undergraduate degree in Hearing and Speech Science in 2004 at The Ohio State University and her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology at The Ohio State University in 2006. She has an Ohio Department of Education license, and is currently working in the clinic, nursing homes, and preschools. She has a special interest in AAC devices and swallowing disorders.

Megan Estok, M.A., CCC-SLP comes to Specialized Speech in January 2008. Megan has earned both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Speech Language Pathology and is currently working on a PRN basis in our extended care facilities. Megan is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology.

Kathryn Jacoby Szabo, M.S., CCC-SLP earned her B.A. in Biology from Capital University and completed her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology at Columbia University. She began her career in New York City where her work ranged from preschools for multiply-disabled children to public school and rehabilitation/nursing facilities.

Katie joined the Specialized Speech Technologies team in January 2004 as a part-time speech pathologist and is happy to have returned on a full-time basis in August 2007. She currently splits her time between the clinic and extended care facilities.

Katie came to the field with a background in vocal performance and health sciences. She has particular interest in voice and swallowing disorders but also enjoys working with speech and language. Katie's work has included swallowing therapy, articulation therapy, accent modification, voice and language therapy.

Katie is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and the Ohio Department of Education. She enjoys working with clients of all ages.

Vicki Oster, M.A., CCC-SLP comes to SST in June 2008 with 35 years combined experience in public schools and clinics. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences and her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Ohio University. After 3 years in a public school setting in Southeastern Ohio, she worked at a county health department working with clients ages 2- 90 years. That experience was followed by 2 years as an SLP and Program Administrator for a preschool speech and hearing impaired program before moving to Columbus and working for 25 years in a suburban school district and 2 years in an urgan setting. During her time in Columbus, she has also done private therapy and summer speech clinics in a variety of settings.

Mona Mehta, M.A., CCC-SLP comes to Specialized Speech in November 2008. She earned her undergraduate degree in Mumbai, India and graduated with a Master’s Degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has experience working in schools, outpatient clinics and in nursing homes. She has worked with children of all age groups with a wide variety of speech and language disorders. She is particularly interested in infant feeding and swallowing disorders and has continued to gain knowledge and experience in this area throughout her career. She is certified in DPNS and Vital Stim, both which are techniques used in the treatment of swallowing disorders. She is certified with the American Speech and Hearing Association, and is licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech and Hearing Association. She is also a member of the Ohio Speech, Language and Hearing Association (OSHLA).

Allison L. Hyde, M.A., CCC-SLP comes to Specialized Speech in October 2008. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Georgia in 2005 and her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University in 2007 and is currently working on a PRN basis in our extended care facilities.

Allison is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology. She enjoys working with clients of all ages.