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 and counseling. 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.
Maeve Murtagh graduated from Texas Christian University with a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. During the last five years, Murtagh has worked in multiple settings serving the adult and geriatric populations, including outpatient, skilled nursing (long- and short-term care) and acute care. She has performed diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to
Robyn Martin is the Director, SLP Clinical Instruction for the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Sciences in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Christian University. Martin has practiced as a speech-language pathologist in public schools, the hospital setting, a pediatric outpatient clinic and in the university
Dr. Ana Rivera earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida. In 2017, she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Florida. Dr. Rivera directs her research interests toward neurogenic communication disorders, bilingualism and their
Dr. Christine E. Fiestas is a core faculty member in the Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Austin, TX campus. She joined the program in the spring of 2020 as an Associate Professor. She received both her Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science from the
Dr. Alateeq is an Associate Professor at the College of Rehabilitative Sciences, Austin, TX campus. She obtained her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her Doctor of Philosophy in Speech and Hearing Science from Arizona State University. Her research focuses on understanding the cognitive processes underlying bilinguals’ ability to
Dr. Ashley Bourque Meaux joined the University in 2021 as the Assistant Program Director and an Associate Professor for the MS-SLP program on the Dallas, TX campus. In December 2023, she transitioned to Director, SLP Clinical Education Placement Team. Dr. Meaux earned four degrees from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. In 2004, Dr.
Laura Finkel (she/her/hers) is a Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor for the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Master of Speech-Language Pathology program on the Austin, TX campus. Her areas of interest in speech-language pathology include human-centered authentic assessment and treatment practices for bilingual individuals, language sampling analysis in clinical practice, relationship building and