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 she worked for a contract company and private practice until October 2001 at which time she opened Specialized Speech Technologies as her own private practice.

You may contact Melanie at Info@specializedspeech.com.

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.

You may contact Sharon at sharon@SpecializedSpeech.com

Marla Marrero, B.A. joins Specialized Speech Technologies as the Billing Supervisor in May 2010. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Behavior.

Marla was the Director of Insurance and Finance for a nationally renowned eye surgeon prior to leaving California.  Marla has over eight years of billing experience and looks forward to helping patients meet their personal goals through assisting with their therapy claims. Marla is always available to answer your questions and concerns regarding insurance coverage and benefits.

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.

You may contact Katie at katie@SpecializedSpeech.com.

Kimberly Martin, M.A., CCC-SLP joined Specialized Speech in January 2009. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Eastern Michigan University in 2003 and her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University in 2006.

Kimberly joins us as a therapist and will also be utilizing her past experiences as an Assistant Clinic Director to assist in marketing Specialized Speech Technologies' outstanding reputation and services to the Greater Columbus area.

She is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and is licensed with the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology. She is also a member of the Ohio Speech, Language and Hearing Association. She has extensive clinical and volunteer experience in the field and completed a pre-doctoral fellowship in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities throughout graduate school. She has worked with all age groups with a variety of speech, language and hearing related disorders. She particularly enjoys working with the Early Intervention population and their families.

You may contact Kimberly at kimberly@SpecializedSpeech.com

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).

You may contact Mona at mona@SpecializedSpeech.com

Anna Mulloy, M.A., CCC-SLP joined Specialized Speech in July, 2011. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology (with a minor in Business) from Texas Christian University in 2005 and her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas in 2007.

Anna is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and is licensed with the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology. She has spent a majority of her career working in the public schools; however, she also has experience working in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and home-care with clients of all age groups and with a wide variety of speech and language disorders. Although Anna enjoys working with clients of all ages, she is particularly interested in working with the pediatric population and their families.

You may contact Anna at anna@specializedspeech.com

Lori Porter, MOTR/L joined Specialized Speech Technologies in August 2011. She graduated Summa cum laude from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1998 and a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2005. Lori participated in the LEND and IMPACTS graduate studies fellowships. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the state of Ohio.

Lori has worked in school-based practice, including preschool, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. She has extensive experience working with individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Her interests include integration of reflexes, sensory integration, hand skills development, and handwriting. She has completed Level I of Rhythmic Movement Training. Lori enjoys working with children of all ages and strives to make learning fun and engaging.

Shanna Van Buren, M.A., CFY-SLP joined Specialized Speech Technologies in April 2010. She received her Bachelor's Degree with Honors in the Arts & Sciences from The Ohio State University in 2007, with a major in Speech & Hearing Science. She received her Master's Degree from Ohio State in 2010, having majored in Speech-Language Pathology.

Shanna is licensed with the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology and the Ohio Department of Education. She has experience working in outpatient clinics, private schools, early intervention programs, inpatient rehabilitation, and several branches of the Ohio State University Medical Center. Although Shanna has most recently worked with a primarily pediatric caseload, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge and skill set while serving adult populations through skilled nursing, life skills-based, and extended care facilities. She particularly enjoys working with patients using augmentative/alternative modes of communication, including speech-generating devices and American Sign Language.

You may contact Shanna at shanna@specializedspeech.com

Julie Tufano, OTR/L joined Specialized Speech in May 2011. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. of Allied Medical Professions in Occupational Therapy.  She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and a member of the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association. 

Julie has practiced with a wide variety of clients from birth to the elderly, but has spent the last few years focusing mainly on pediatric clients, in settings ranging from in-home care to schools.   She has been trained in the Handwriting Without Tears Program and has used an adaptation of this program with children with moderate to severe developmental delays.    Julie has experience working with children with many different types of difficulties, including those on the autism spectrum, Down Syndrome, and cerebral palsy. 

Kathy Rearick, OT/L joined Specialized Speech in September 2011. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. of Allied Medical Professions in Occupational Therapy.

Kathy has worked with children for 10 years. She has worked in a variety of settings including schools, clinics, and home care. She has worked with many different diagnoses, including from mild to severe developmental delays, Down's Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, and visual perceptual deficits.

Kathy has many years of experience with a focus on visual perceptual and visual motor deficits.

Erin McCullough, M.A., CCC-SLP joined Specialized Speech in October, 2011. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Akron in 2008, and her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology also from The University of Akron in 2010.

Erin has experience working in nursing homes, as well as working with inpatient adults and outpatient pediatrics in the hospital setting.  Erin enjoys working with clients of all ages, but is particularly interested in working with adults with swallowing disorders. She is certified with the American Speech and Hearing Association, and is licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology. She is also a member of the Ohio Speech- Language- Hearing Association (OSLHA).

You may contact Erin at erin@specializedspeech.com

Amber Kramer, PT joined Specialized Speech in November 2011.  She graduated from The University of Findlay in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with an emphasis in Physical Therapy and a Minor in Psychology.  In 2010 she received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from The University of Findlay.  She is licensed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. 

Amber began her career in West Virginia working in both an outpatient setting and a skilled nursing facility.  She has worked with a wide variety of clients but particularly enjoys working with pediatric and geriatric patients.