Before joining the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2024, Dr. Casey Keck worked as a clinical speech-language pathologist on interdisciplinary neurorehabilitation teams in pediatric outpatient settings. Her primary teaching interests are cognitive and communication skills across the lifespan, particularly after acquired brain injuries. In her courses, she employs active learning strategies such
Dr. Hilchey is a speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience. She has worked extensively with medically complex adults, children and veterans in various settings, including home health, inpatient and outpatient hospitals, private practice, schools and skilled nursing facilities. She holds a doctorate in speech-language pathology and joined the University in 2024.
Monica Putt earned her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Arizona in 2007 before pursuing her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from New York University, graduating in 2011. In June 2023, she received international board-certified lactation consultant certification through the University of California San Diego. This milestone equipped
Dr. Lekeitha R. Morris is a speech-language pathologist certified through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association with more than 20 years of clinical experience providing services to children and adults to enhance communication skills. A transformational educator, administrator and researcher, she began her higher education experience in 2011. At Delta State University, she served as a department
Dr. Ellie Cooper is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Arkansas and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Fontbonne University. As a practicing SLP, Dr. Cooper provided intervention to deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH)
Dr. Grzina, who joined the University in April 2024, has worked in pediatric medical settings, including the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, acute care and outpatient, and has served on cleft and craniofacial anomalies teams. She has specialized in working with infants and children with feeding and swallowing disorders, cleft lip and
Based at the Austin, TX campus, Rossana Ramires joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as a Clinical Educator in January 2024. She has experience in clinical instruction, having worked in various settings with children and adults as a speech-language pathologist since 2002. Her main focus as a professional is to provide individualized
Based at the Austin, TX campus, Dr. Maya Clark joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in July 2023. She has experience in Communication Sciences and Disorders programs and has served in leadership roles including program director, graduate coordinator and director of clinical education. Within higher education, Dr. Clark was elected as
Dr. Gretchen Gabbert-Downs joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences as a core faculty member in 2023. She has been a speech-language pathologist for more than 20 years, working with children and adults with complex communication needs. Her experience includes administration and higher education roles, and teaching undergraduate courses in speech-language pathology. Dr.
Kelly Roy joined University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2019. Her clinical and research interests include speech sound disorders, literacy and clinical education. Before focusing on full-time clinical education, she worked in various settings, including public and private schools, outpatient clinics and private practice.
Erica Ortiz has been a Clinical Educator at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences since the Fall of 2021. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders from Louisiana State University in 2003, and her master’s degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center in 2005. Her clinical background has been focused primarily on
Dr. Kristin Schaffer Mendez is a clinician-scientist and educator who specializes in adult neurogenic communication disorders. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University, Dr. Schaffer Mendez started her career as a speech-language pathologist. She partnered