Audrey Holland, Ph.D.

Dr. Audrey HollandAudrey L. Holland, Ph.D., CCC, BC/NCD, is Regents’ Professor Emerita of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona, and Research Director at the Adler Aphasia Center in New Jersey. Her areas of expertise include working with adults who have aphasia and other neurologic communication disorders, aspects of aging, and counseling individuals with disabilities and their families.

Michelle Arnold, Au.D.

Michelle Arnold, Au.D.Michelle Arnold is a two-time graduate from USF: in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology and in 2010 as a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) She currently is a clinical instructor at USF in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her primary areas of interest are adult auditory rehabilitation, patient-centered care and motivation, and hearing loss, aging, and cognition.

Mike Caputo

Mike CaputoOn the morning of Thursday, May 7, 2009, Mike suffered a severe stroke, while working out on an elliptical machine. Due to the stroke and hemorrhaging, he lost the ability to speak as well as the use of the right side of his body. Though Mike’s speech is still limited due to aphasia, there is progress made every day, week, month and year that goes by. Through Mike’s own experiences he recognized that many of his needs and those afflicted with Aphasia were going unmet, so he and Kathy started Voices of Hope for Aphasia.

Mary Lee Zawadski, CAP, CAD, ICADC

Mary Lee Zawadski, CAP, CAD, ICADCMary Lee’s career spans through 25 years of assisting people to bring their lives into balance and wellness who suffer from various traumas, illnesses and addictions. She has been featured in a variety of publications and appeared on numerous television shows. She has spoken internationally to numerous audiences and has lectured at Colleges and Universities throughout the United States, including working with Native Americans and First Nations People of Canada. She was named Woman of the Year in 2012 by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) and is recognized as a Pinnacle Professional by Continental Who’s Who.

Debbie Yones, M.S., CCC-SLP

Debbie Yones, M.S., CCC-SLPDebbie Yones runs a private-practice in St. Petersburg, FL delivering personalized, intensive aphasia therapy based on the principles of the life-participation model. She is also on the Executive Board of Directors of Voices of Hope for Aphasia. She has presented on client-centered care at national and state conferences, and at local hospitals. She is a member of the Academy of Neurogenic Communication Disorders (ANCDS) and an affiliate of the Aphasia Access organization.

Jackie Hinckley, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Dr. Jackie HinckleyDr. Jacqueline Hinckley is Executive Director of Voices of Hope for Aphasia, a nonprofit organization based in St. Petersburg, FL. She is also a consultant and researcher with over 25 years of clinical experience. Her research focuses on intervention in neurogenic communication disorders. She is Board Certified in Neurogenic Communication Disorders (ANCDS) and is Associate Professor Emeritus in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida, USA.

Erfan Albakri, M.D.

Erfan Albakri, M.D.Dr. Erfan Albakri is a neurologist in Tampa, Florida and is Medical Director of the Florida Neurovascular Institute. He is affiliated with Tampa General Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Alexandria Faculty of Medicine and has been in practice for 31 years. His patients know him as a caring physician who provides practical information while preserving hope.

Our Panelists

Donna Polelle, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Dr. Donna Polelle has been working with persons with aphasia for 35 years. Currently, Dr. Polelle is an instructor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and a professional member of the Suncoast Aphasia Support Group.

Henrietta Silverman, M.A., CCC-SLP

Henrietta Silverman, M.A., CCC-SLP works at Morton Plant Mease Hospitals for 20 years focusing mainly on adults in acute care and transitional care. Her areas of expertise are aphasia, apraxia, dysphagia, and vocal cord dysfunction. She is an active volunteer with Voices of Hope for Aphasia coordinating the monthly caregiver meetings.

Janet Whiteside, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Janet Whiteside, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is Director and Founder of the Aphasia House and Clinical Associate Lecturer in Communication Sciences & Disorders at the University of Central Florida. She is an ASHA Fellow and an active member of AphasiaAccess.

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