Speech Language Pathologist Susie Ford, Ph.D., CCC-S Executive Director Dr. Ford is the founder and President of Columbus Speech & Hearing Center. After earning a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Tennessee, and teaching at Auburn University for several years, she entered private practice in Columbus, GA. She is a past President of the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association and Past Chair of the Georgia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She has always been active in community projects, as one of the founders of the Achievement Academy, and as a board member of local civic groups. Outside work, she particularly enjoys time with her grandson “Ford”, and time on the farm. Gary Waters, MCD, CCC-S Director of Speech Language Pathology/Chief Operating Officer After completing his undergraduate studies, Gary obtained his Master’s Degree in Speech Communication from Auburn University. In practice since 1976, Gary has been with Columbus Speech and Hearing Center since 1981. He is Director of Speech-Language Pathology. A member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, he holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the organization. Gary and his wife, Carol, have three children. In his spare time, Gary enjoys music, singing, playing guitar, photography and volunteering with Providence Baptist Church. Shauniele Charles, MS, CCC-S Speech Language Pathologist Shauniele earned a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University. She has been in practice since 2009. She holds a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Away from work, Shauniele enjoys reading, shopping, traveling and spending time with her family. April McFarland, MCD, CCC-S Speech Language Pathologist April received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, with highest honors, from Dartmouth College. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Speech Communication from Auburn University. April is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, certified in Speech-Language Pathology. She is the lead Speech-Language Pathologist for our Head Start program. When she is away from the office, she enjoys volunteering with her church. Levonne Smith, BBA, CPA Director of Human Resources & Practice Development Levone earned her degree in accounting from the University of Georgia. She passed the CPA exam in 1989, and is a valuable asset to our office staff. Levonne volunteers her time and money to charitable organizations such as Relay for Life and St. Jude’s. Outside the office, Levone enjoys spending time with her son, reading and going to the beach. Cindy Falk, MCD, CCC-S Speech-Language Pathologist A graduate of Auburn University, Cindy brings years of experience to our team. She has served at Columbus Speech and Hearing Center since 1993. Cindy is committed to staying on the cutting-edge of the latest advancements in the field of speech and language pathology, and maintains her membership with the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Meredith Martin, MCD, CCC-S Speech-Language Pathologist Meredith is the newest member of our team. She attended Vanderbilt University, where she received her undergraduate degree before receiving her graduate degree from Auburn University. She also completed an externship and internship at Dean Road Elementary School in Auburn, Alabama. Meredith is active in her community, volunteering with Alabama Rural Ministries to repair homes for the underserved families. Marianne Morgan, MCD Speech-Language Pathologist Marianne Morgan earned her Masters of Communications Disorders from Auburn University and completed an internship with the Opelika City Schools. She enjoys working with both children and adults and has attended several DynaVox training sessions through the AAC. Outside the office, she enjoys volunteering, traveling and cooking. Virginia Byrd, MCD Speech-Language Pathologist Ginnie Byrd graduated from the University of Montevallo and is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. She volunteers with Ronald McDonald House charities and spends her free time as a living history re-enactor and a master scuba diver. Rebekeh Hobbs, MCD, CCC-S Speech-Language Pathologist Rebekeh Hobbs attended Middle Tennessee State University for her undergraduate studies and earned her Masters of Communications Disorders from Auburn University. She completed her practicum at Phenix City Regional Rehab and an internship with TC Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. Rebekeh is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, going to concerts and sporting events, and travelling. Rita O’Bryan, MCD, CCC-S Speech-Language Pathologist Rita O’Bryan has been a Speech Language Pathologist for 18 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and her Masters of Communications Disorders from CSU. Married with two children, Rita spends her free time playing tennis, reading and cooking. Mallory Martin, MCD, CFY Speech-Language Pathologist Mallory Martin received her degree from Auburn University and completed an internship at the Birmingham Alabama VA Hospital. She is passionate about her job and strives to stay on the cutting-edge of the latest advancements in Speech-Language Pathology. Mallory also maintains a membership with the National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association. During her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, going on road trips, cooking and antiquing. Lindsay Vargas, MCD Speech-Language Pathologist Lindsay earned her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University. She completed her internship at RehabWorks in Opelika. She maintains active memberships with the National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Associations. When Lindsay is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, cooking, reading and photography. Heather Ketchum, MCD Speech-Language Pathologist Heather Ketchum earned her master’s degree in communication disorders from Auburn University. She completed her pediatric residency at Columbus Speech and Hearing and an additional residency treating adults at HealthSouth. Outside the office, Heather is active with Lakeview Baptist Church and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys being active and spending time at the lake or the beach, hiking and playing soccer. Tammy Powell, MCD, CCC-S Speech-Language Pathologist Tammy recently relocated to Columbus from Atlanta, Georgia. She has six years of experience in providing speech-language therapy at a skilled nursing facility. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Georgia. She earned her Master's Degree in Communication Disorders from Valdosta State University. She is an active member in the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Outside of the office, Tammy enjoys reading, painting and music. Kaile Stoute, MS, CFY Speech-Language Pathologist Kaile graduated from the University of Louisana at Lafayette with a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She completed internships at Masion de Lafayette and Franklin Foundation Hospital. She remains an active member with the National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association. Away from work, she enjoys reading, shopping and spending time with friends and family. Nicole Hatcher, MA, CCC-S Speech-Language Pathologist Nicole completed her undergraduate studies at Washington State University, and received a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Washington University. She is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the organization. Nicole and her husband recently moved to Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, yoga and exploring the South. Lindsay Wimberly, M.S, CCC-S Speech-Language Pathologist Lindsay earned her Master's Degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University in 2009. She is certified in Vital Stim and Interactive Metronome therapy. Outside of the office, Lindsay is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Opp, Alabama. Audiologist Alice Cellino, Au.D., CCC-A Director of Audiology Services Dr. Cellino received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Columbus State University, and a clinical Doctorate in Audiology at Auburn University. After externships with the United States Army at Ft. Benning, and at Pediatric Ear Nose and Throat of Atlanta, Dr. Cellino joined the staff of Columbus Speech & Hearing Center. At Auburn University, she helped to pioneer a way to obtain normative data on oto-acoustic emissions in puppies. She is certified in Vestibular Evaluation and Treatment. She also is a pediatric diagnostic specialist and Director of Audiology for The Medical Center NICU. Away from work, Dr. Cellino and her husband stay busy with her son, two huge dogs, and volunteers for civic groups here in Columbus. Andrea Webster, Au.D., CCC-A Senior Audiologist Dr. Webster obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master of Communication Disorders degrees from Auburn University before receiving her clinical doctorate from Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology. She has a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She also is licensed by the Georgia State Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology. Dr. Webster’s special interest is in hearing aid evaluations and fittings. Outside work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Sarah Brady, Au.D., CCC-A Audiologist Dr. Brady is the most recent addition to our audiology staff. She received a Doctorate of Audiology degree from Auburn University in 2010. Her primary work involves administering compensation and pension examinations for VA soldiers. Outside work, Dr. Brady enjoys traveling, working with Special Olympics, and fitness. Laura Pratesi, AUD-Extern Audiology Doctoral Extern Laura earned her bachelor's degree in Audiology from Auburn University. She completed clinical rotations at Pediatric ENT of Atlanta, Martin Army Community Hospital and with the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System. She is a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and the Student Academy of Audiology. She chaired a fundraising event at Auburn University that organized an audiology outreach in Guatemala. In 2010, she earned the Outstanding Student Clinician Scholarship by Starkey, an honor only given to ten student clinicians nationwide. Outside the office, Laura enjoys theater and opera. Psychologist Rabia Subhani- Siddique, Psy.D. Psychologist Dr. Siddique is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Pediatric Neuropsychology. She received her Doctorate in Psychology from Argosy University. Her area of interest is in Autism Spectrum Disorders, with related research and publications in the Journal of Pediatrics. She is trained in the ADOS (the gold standard test for Autism Spectrum Disorders). She is actively involved in national, state, and local professional organizations. Outside work, Dr. Siddique enjoys traveling and reading. Administrative Staff Brandon Glover, BBA Office Manager After receiving his Associate in Science degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 2000, Brandon graduated from Troy University two year later with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration. As the Office Manager, he oversees the front office and billing departments. He enjoys spending time with his children, Jaxson and Addison. Martha West Billing/Accounts Receivable Martha has been employed with Columbus Speech and Hearing Center since 1996. Her duties include billing, acquiring insurance authorizations and payments. Outside of the office, Martha enjoys reading, singing, cooking and traveling. She also enjoys taking care of her menagerie of pets, which include two birds, fish and her dog, Lance. Veta Haltrich Receptionist Veta has been employed with Columbus Speech and Hearing Center since 2004. She attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. She enjoys spending time with her three dogs. Veta volunteers with the Daschund Rescue Center. Outside of the office she enjoys gardening and SEC football. Ashley McMahan Receptionist Ashley has been employed with Columbus Speech and Hearing Center since 2009. Outside of the office, she enjoys shopping, playing sports and Georgia Bulldogs Football. Heather O'Brien-Martin Receptionist Heather has been employed with Columbus Speech and Hearing Center since 2006. Outside of the office, she enjoys going to the movies, spending time with her family, reading and spending time outdoors. Sheree Bowen Receptionist Sheree has been employed with Columbus Speech and Hearing Center since 2011. She graduated from Columbus Technical College in 2009. Her hobbies include: GA bulldogs football, spending time with her family and making crafts. Sarina Stiles Receptionist Sarina is a graduate of Russell County High School. She played soccer at the collegiate level and participated in various charitable activities within the community. She is the first friendly face to greet you when you enter our office. As our receptionist Sarina enjoys welcoming our patients into our professional and respectful atmosphere.