Speech-Language Pathology Team

At University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine, our certified Speech-Language Pathologists have one central goal: to work closely with patients and families to improve quality of life through enhanced communication and swallowing skills.

Adult Dysphagia

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing food or liquids. There are many causes, including problems in the coordination or strength of the swallowing muscles, inflammatory conditions, benign narrowings of the esophagus called strictures, and cancers. Our dedicated staff members who have broad experience in diagnosing and treating dysphagia, use comprehensive diagnostic testing and engage in robust clinical research programs. 

Adult Hospital: 

  • Adrianna Spiteri, SLP-D, CCC 
  • Alexis Bailey, MS, CCC 
  • Brooke Ingraham, MA, CCC 
  • Dana Hanifan, MA, CCC, Manager 
  • Karen Kluin, CCC, BC-ANCDS, Adult Supervisor 
  • Katherine McConville, MA, CCC 
  • Kelly Jones, MA, CCC  
  • Kourtney Main, MA, CCC 
  • Lucy Finkel, MA, CCC  
  • Margaret K. Tiner, MS, CCC, BCS-S 
  • Sarah Russell, MS, CCC, BCS-S 
  • Sheila Harkaway, MA, CCC 
  • Thomas Singer, MA, CCC 

Brighton Center for Specialty Care: 

  • Jennifer Gostlin, MA, CCC 
  • Katherine McConville, MA, CCC 
  • Lauren Wiltsey, MA, CCC 

Canton Health Center: 

  • Michelle Shenton, M.Ed., CCC 

MedRehab: 

  • Jenny Santer, MA, CCC, CBIS 
  • Lauren Wiltsey, MA, CCC 
  • Liz Bizer-Cox, MA, CCC 
  • Michelle Shenton, M.Ed., CCC 

Taubman Center Otolaryngology: 

  • Anna Blakely, MA, CCC 
  • Madison Ambrose, MA, CCC 
  • Teresa Lyden, MA, CCC 

Adult Head/Neck Cancer and Voice Disorders

Adult Hospital: 

  • Katherine McConville, MA, CCC 
  • Kelly Jones, MA, CCC 
  • Lucy Finkel, MA, CCC 
  • Margaret K. Tiner, MS, CCC, BCS-S 

Brighton Center for Specialty Care: 

  • Katherine McConville, MA, CCC 
  • Teresa Lyden, MA, CCC 

Taubman Center Otolaryngology: 

  • Anna Blakely, MA, CCC 
  • Madison Ambrose, MA, CCC 
  • Marci Rosenberg, MA, CCC 
  • Teresa Lyden, MA, CCC 

Adult Neurogenic Disorders

Adult Hospital:  

  • Adrianna Spiteri, SLP-D, CCC  
  • Alexis Bailey, MS, CCC  
  • Brooke Ingraham, MA, CCC  
  • Ciara Cheney, MA, CCC  
  • Dana Hanifan , MA, CCC, Manager  
  • Karen Kluin, MS, CCC, BC-ACNDS, Adult Supervisor  
  • Kourtney Main, MA, CCC  
  • Sarah Russell, MS, CCC, BCS-S  
  • Sheila Harkaway, MA, CCC  
  • Thomas Singer, MA, CCC  

Brighton Center for Specialty Care:  

  • Jennifer Gostlin, MA, CCC  
  • Lauren Wiltsey, MA, CCC  

  Canton Health Center:  

  • Michelle Shenton, M.Ed., CCC 

MedRehab:  

  • Liz Bizer-Cox, MA, CCC  
  • Jenny Santer, MA, CCC, CBIS  
  • Michelle Shenton, M.Ed, CCC  
  • Lauren Wiltsey, MA, CCC   

Augmentative/Alternative Communication

Adult Hospital:  

  • Brooke Ingraham, MA, CCC  
  • Dana Hanifan, MA, CCC, Manager  
  • Sheila Harkaway, MA, CCC  

Brighton Center for Specialty Care:  

  • Jennifer Gostlin, MA, CCC  

Canton Health Center:  

  • Michelle Shenton, M.Ed., CCC  

MedRehab:  

  • Liz Bizer-Cox, MA, CCC  
  • Michelle Shenton, M.Ed., CCC  

Pediatric Rehabilitation Center:  

  • Hanna Ammons, MA, CCC  
  • Stacy Lecznar, MA, CCC

Pediatric Developmental and Neurogenic Communication Disorders

Briarwood Pediatric Rehabilitation Center:  

  • Ana Molloseau, MA, CCC  
  • Angelica Taylor, MA, CCC  
  • Kristin Morgan, MA, CCC  
  • Lennie Bowen-Graham, MS, CCC  

Brighton Center for Specialty Care:  

  • Lennie Bowen-Graham, MS, CCC  
  • Lindsay Laycock, MA, CCC  

Mott Hospital: 

  • Elizabeth Mekler, MA, CCC  
  • Emily Zezas, MA, CCC  
  • Erica Wisnosky, MA, CCC  
  • Marissa Habeshy, MS, CCC  
  • Samantha Kliman, MA, CCC  

Northville Health Center:  

  • Jamie Brunner, MA, CCC  
  • Laura Scott, MA, CCC  
  • Maria McElmeel, MA, CCC  

Pediatric Rehabilitation Center:  

  • Ana Molloseau, MA, CCC  
  • Ann K. Comstock, MS, CCC, Pediatric Supervisor  
  • Anna Davis, MA, CCC  
  • Emily Hicks, MA, CCC  
  • Emily Johnson, MA, CCC  
  • Erin Papcun, MA, CCC  
  • Hanna Ammons, MA, CCC  
  • Lindsay Reilly, MA, CCC  
  • Santia Sims, MA, CCC  
  • Stacy Lecznar, MA, CCC  

West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza: 

  • Emily Johnson, MA, CCC  

Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Briarwood Pediatric Rehabilitation Center:  

  • Angelica Taylor, MA, CCC  

Brighton Center for Specialty Care:  

  • Lindsay Laycock, MA, CCC  

Mott Hospital: 

  • Elizabeth Mekler, MA, CCC  
  • Emily Zezas, MA, CCC  
  • Erica Wisnosky, MA, CCC  
  • Marissa Habeshy, MS, CCC  
  • Samantha Kliman, MA, CCC  

Northville Health Center:  

  • Jamie Brunner, MA, CCC  
  • Maria McElmeel, MA, CCC  

Pediatric Rehabilitation Center:  

  • Anna Davis, MA, CCC  
  • Emily Johnson, MA, CCC  
  • Erin Papcun, MA, CCC  
  • Lindsay Reilly, MA, CCC  

West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza: 

  • Emily Johnson, MA, CCC

Make an Appointment 

Adult Hospital and Mott Hospital:  734-763-4003  
Brighton Center for Specialty Care, Taubman Center and West Ann Arbor Otolaryngology: 734-936-8051  
Brighton Center for Specialty Care, Briarwood Pediatric Center, Canton Health Center, MedRehab, Northville Health Center, Pediatric Rehabilitation Center, West Ann Arbor: 734-936-7070 

For General Inquiries, email: [email protected]
For Pediatric Stuttering Inquiries, email: [email protected] 
 
Additional helpful links: 

Graduate Students

The Speech-Language Pathology Department accepts a limited number of graduate student interns each year, pediatric and adult. Prospective interns typically apply 12 to 18 months in advance of the last-semester placement. Information on the application process is available from Sarah Russell MS CCC, Graduate Student Internship Manager: [email protected] 

The Speech-Language Pathology Department also accepts requests from current graduate students for a one-day, three-hour clinical observation. Pediatric and adult observations are available. Please contact Samantha Kliman , the Student Observation Coordinator: [email protected] to request an observation.

Referrals

Referrals are welcomed from physicians, advanced practice providers (APP) and insurers. For medically-based communication or swallowing evaluation and/or treatment, a physician or APP referral is required. Individuals requesting transgender communication services may self-refer. 
 
Internal Referrals 
Referrals from within Michigan Medicine should be submitted electronically via MiChart. 
 
External Referrals 
Referrals from outside of Michigan Medicine may be faxed to (734) 615-1532 or mailed to: 
 
Forms 
 
Speech-Language Pathology 
University of Michigan Health Systems 
1500 E. Medical Center Drive 
1D203 University Hospital, SPC 5043 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109

Research & Education

Speech-Language Pathology staff members present in-services and educational programs at a variety of state and national conferences as well as for community groups. Staff are also available to participate in medical grand rounds and medical student and resident lecture programs. 

Educational Topics 

  • Adult Dysphagia: Assessment and Treatment 
  • Overview of Communication and Swallowing Disorders 
  • Aphasia, Apraxia and Dysarthria: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment 
  • Augmentative/Alternative Communication  
  • Cognitive-Communicative Disorders 
  • Communication Disorders in Patients with Acquired Brain Injury 
  • Laryngectomy Rehabilitation 
  • Learning Strategies for Children with Brain Injury 
  • Managing Tracheostomy Tubes to Enhance Speech Production 
  • Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement: Assessment and Treatment 
  • Pediatric Dysphagia: Assessment and Treatment 
  • Swallowing Rehabilitation following head/neck cancer surgery 
  • Typical Speech, Language and Swallowing Development in Children 
  • Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: Assessment and Management 
  • Voice Disorders: Assessment and Treatment 

To schedule an in-service or educational presentation, please email: [email protected] 

Clinical Research 

Speech-Language Pathologists at University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine, are involved in a variety of research projects designed to improve understanding of communication and swallowing disorders and their treatment.  Areas of interest include: 

Karen Kluin, MS, CCC, BC-ANCDS 

  • Functional brain mapping (intraoperative & extraoperative): Motor speech & language evaluation & outcome in patients with medically refractory epilepsy & brain tumors.  
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery: Motor speech & language evaluation & outcome in patients with Parkinson’s disease & essential tremor.  
  • Neurodegenerative diseases (such as PPA, PPAOS, SCAs, MSA, PSP, CBS, ALS, PLS): Motor speech & language disorders  

Margaret K. Tiner, MS, CCC, BCS-S 

  • Use and effectiveness of teletherapy for patients with dysphonia. 
  • Trust and relationship between Laryngologists and Speech-Language Pathologists 
  • Respiratory retraining therapy for treatmetn of functional dyspnea 
  • Feasibility and efficacy of maxillofacial prosthetics 
  • Functional outcomes in partial glossectomy 

External Resources