Meet the Faculty & Staff

• Glen Tellis, Ph.D.
  Professor & Chair
• Lori Cimino, M.S., CCC-SLP
  Clinical Director & Assistant Professor
• Hunter Manasco, Ph.D.
  Assistant Professor
• Kathleen Scaler Scott, Ph.D.
  Assistant Professor
• Cari Tellis, Ph.D.
  Associate Professor
• Ruixia Yan, Ph.D.
  Associate Professor

• Jennifer Alberti, M.S., CCC-SLP
  Adjunct Faculty
• Mary Culkin, M.S., CCC-SLP
  Clinical Supervisor
• Christine Evans, M.S.,CCC-SLP
  Clinical Supervisor
• Theresa Jacopetti, M.S., CCC-SLP
  Adjunct Professor
• Ann Roman, M.S., CCC-SLP
  Clinical Supervisor
• Anne Zaborny, M.Ed, CCC-SLP
  Clinical Supervisor
• James Zeigler, AUD, CCC-A
  Adjunct Professor

• Adina Rosenthal, M.S., CCC-SLP
  Clinical Supervisor
• Donna DiBlasi
• Michelle Donato

• John Cantando, MD
  Neurosurgeon - Geisinger Wilkes-Barre
• Joan E. Greulick, MD
  Pediatrician - Dallas Area
• Mr. Gregory S. Koons
  Director of Special Education and Early Intervention
  Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18
• Erik Kruger, MD
  Ophthalmologist
  Eye Care Specialists
• Mr. Carl Manfredi
  Director of Special Education and Early Intervention
  Hazelton Area School District
• Mr. Richard Smith
  Speech-Language Pathologist
• Ms. Kathy Williams
  Executive Director
  Wyoming Valley Children's Association
• James Zeigler, Au.D.
  Audiologist - Kingston Area
• Ragupathy Veluswamy, MD, MMM, CPE, FACPE
  Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
  Office of Medical Affairs
  Commonwealth Health Systems

• Victoria Flormann
  Class President, 2013
  Senior Graduate Student
  Department of Speech-Language Pathology

Dr. Glen Tellis, a Board-Recognized Fluency Specialist and Mentor completed his doctorate at The Pennsylvania State University and is Professor and Department Chair of the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania.His research interests include fluency disorders, multicultural issues, research designs, treatment efficacy research, advanced digital technology, and clinical outcomes. He frequently presents papers at national and international conferences and has published articles that pertain to stuttering and other fluency disorders as well as articles that pertain to culturally and linguistically diverse populations. He has received externally funded grants for his research and has conducted numerous workshops in multicultural issues in communication disorders as well as assessment and treatment of stuttering. He was past President of the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is an editorial consultant and reviewer for the Journal of Speech-Language and Hearing Research, Journal of Communication Disorders, and the Journal of Fluency Disorders. He has also served as an editorial consultant and reviewer for the Journal of Multilingual Communication Disorders. He has served as an advisory board member of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Stuttering Center of Western Pennsylvania, and as a committee member of the National Stuttering Association’s Insurance Advocacy Board. He also serves as an expert witness for the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs for Pennsylvania’s Department of State. He has served as a Steering Committee Member and Schools Task Force liaison for ASHA’s Special Interest Division 4 (Fluency Disorders), was co-Chair of the Division 4 Leadership Conference in 2010, and was Fluency Topic Chair of ASHA’s 2010 Convention.

Lori Cimino received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Marywood University and Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University. She is a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Lori has 20 years of clinical experience in both the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. She has provided direct patient care to pediatric, adolescent, and adult clients exhibiting a broad spectrum of communication and swallowing impairments. Lori specializes in child language disorders, developmental apraxia of speech, autism and pervasive developmental disorders, oral-motor dysfunction, and behavioral/sensory-motor based feeding disorders. Additional areas of clinical interest include: phonological awareness and central auditory processing disorders. Lori is currently the Clinical Director of the Speech-Language and Hearing Center at Misericordia University. She also serves as Co-Advisor of the Misericordia University Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a representative for the Northeastern Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Hunter Manasco received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Montevallo in Alabama. Dr. Manasco completed his doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Alabama. He is an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Misericordia University. Dr. Manasco’s areas of specialization include neuroanatomy, aphasia, motor speech disorders, dysphagia, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and autism. His primary research interests center on stroke and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. He has published a book that teaches children with autism to reduce tantrums and aggression as well as a book that teaches children with special needs to recognize when they are being abused and to report the abuse. Dr. Manasco has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in acute care, long-term care, hospice, adult rehabilitation, and school and hospital based pediatrics. He has presented numerous papers in his areas of specialty at state and national conferences.

1. Dr. Manasco publishes textbook/video combination on neurogenic communication disorders
2. SLP professor publishes a children's guide to touch

Dr. Kathleen Scaler Scott is an Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Misericordia University. Her areas of specialization include child language disorders, literacy, autism spectrum disorders, and fluency disorders. Her current research projects include examination of the linguistic, phonological, and fluency patterns in children on the autism spectrum, characteristics of cluttering, and clinician-researcher partnerships. Dr. Scaler Scott has authored and co-authored several articles and book chapters in the area of fluency disorders, and is co-editor of the textbook, "Cluttering: A Handbook of Research, Intervention, Education." She has presented numerous papers nationally and internationally in the areas of social communication disorders, literacy, and fluency disorders. Dr. Scaler Scott has been a practicing clinician since 1993 in hospital, school, and private practice settings.

1. Dr. Scott publishes 2nd book on communication disorder know as cluttering
2. National Stuttering Association elects Dr. Scaler Scott to co-chair research committee

Dr. Cari Tellis is an Associate Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Misericordia University. Her areas of specialization include voice, laryngeal physiology, laryngeal muscle anatomy and biochemistry, and voice and speech science. A singer herself, Dr. Tellis has devoted her life to the care, rehabilitation, and training of the voice. Dr. Tellis has authored and co-authored numerous presentations in voice at international, national, and state conferences, as well as presented at the American Laryngological Association’s national conference. She has published her research in the Annals of Otolaryngology, the Journal of Voice, and The Laryngoscope. She is the author of a bestselling book and instructional DVD entitled, Your Voice is Your Business (Plural Publishing, 2008). Dr. Tellis is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and has 12 years of clinical experience in voice therapy. She completed her training as a voice specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Voice Center, and currently serves as a voice consultant for several professional voice groups including the Performing Arts Institute at Wyoming Seminary. Dr. Tellis oversees all vocal rehabilitation services at the Misericordia University Speech-Language Hearing Center.

Dr. Ruixia Yan earned her undergraduate degree in Foreign Languages (English and German) from Shanxi University, P. R. China. At the same institution she was awarded a Master of Arts in English Linguistics and Literature. She completed her doctorate in Applied Language and Speech Sciences from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her areas of specialization include child language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, language testing/assessment, normal speech and language acquisition and development, second language acquisition, multilingualism in communicative disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and research designs and methods. Dr. Yan has published a book on reliability and validity of language assessment. She has authored and co-authored articles and book chapters in her areas of specialty. Dr. Yan has also presented numerous papers at national and international conferences.

Jennifer Alberti received both her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University. She is a Pennsylvania licensed speech-language pathologist, and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Jennifer also has Pennsylvania Teacher Certification to teach in Speech-Language impaired school settings. Jennifer has 13 years of clinical experience and has treated both adult and pediatric clients in settings such as: acute care facilities, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers, natural environments, and long-term care facilities. Jennifer specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication and sits on the advisory board of the Assistive Technology Research Institute. Additional clinical topics of special interest include: developmental and acquired apraxia of speech, pervasive developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder, phonological awareness, and technology and topics in clinical supervision.

Theresa Jacopetti received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Pennsylvania. She holds the Certification of Clinical Competence with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Theresa holds her Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Speech-Language Pathology and is a certified Reading Specialist working closely with language and literacy in the school. Theresa has 33 years of experience in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, home health, private practice, and school settings. She has worked with a broad spectrum of communication disorders with children and adults including aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, dementia, closed head injury, autism, fluency, voice, central auditory processing, and child speech and language disorders. Theresa has supervised many student clinicians in rehabilitation and school settings. She served as an adjunct faculty member with Misericordia University’s Speech-Language Pathology Program teaching Phonetics. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She currently provides diagnostic and therapeutic speech and language services to children in grades 3 through 5 at the Greater Nanticoke Area School District with regular and special education students. She is a member of the Child Study Team and full inclusion team.

Adina Rosenthal graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana and received a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Boston University. She is a state licensed, certified speech-language pathologist and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Adina has over 13 years of clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings, acute and sub-acute hospitals, home health and long term care facilities. Adina’s areas of specialty include adult neurological disorders, aphasia, dysarthria, dysphagia and dementia. She is a clinical supervisor at Misericordia University.

Ann Roman received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from The Pennsylvania State University. She is a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from The American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Ann has 34 years of experience with elementary school age populations in regular and special education settings. She served as a permanent member of school-based teams and has worked in multiple service delivery models including pull out, in class, and team teaching in the schools. Ann specializes in child language, articulation, phonemic processing and the impact of speech-language impairments on curriculum. She has worked extensively with local universities as a cooperating supervisor for Speech-Language Pathology interns in elementary school settings.

Anne Zaborny is a nationally certified and dual state licensed speech-language pathologist. Anne received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Bloomsburg University and serves as Clinical Supervisor in the Speech-Language Pathology Department of Misericordia University.Anne has 36 years of clinical experience, providing direct patient care to the pediatric, adolescent and adult populations. For 25 years, Anne co-owned, directed, and administered a private practice, while providing direct patient care in inpatient and outpatient hospital and rehabilitation settings, child development programs, Ear, Nose and Throat practices, extended care/skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings.Anne was instrumental in introducing, establishing, and implementing the first local hospital based radiological swallowing studies and hospital wide dysphasia protocols. She then expanded her professional practice into university settings where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses, assisted in developing and expanding graduate clinical programs and served as Clinical Director. During her years of practice, Anne has been actively involved in service to local, regional and state professional associations, speaking at regional and state meetings, serving on the state association’s ethics and practices committees, testifying to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for mandating state insurance reimbursement for speech-language pathology services and serving on local cleft palate teams. Anne co-directed and served as an esophageal voice therapist for the Voice Institute at the International Association of Laryngectomee annual meetings and served as co-director for the local New Voice Club. Her scope of practice includes specialization in articulation disorders, voice disorders including laryngectomy, neurological disorders, myofunctional/tongue thrust remediation, fluency disorders, child language disorders, developmental apraxia of speech, autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Additional areas of clinical interest include central auditory processing disorders and aural rehabilitation. In addition to her role as clinical supervisor, Anne provides direct clinical services to preschool and early intervention populations while continuing in private practice. She also serves on the Executive Committee for the Northeastern Speech-Language -Hearing Association of Pennsylvania.

Dr. James Zeigler received his Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1981 and the Master of Science degree in Audiology from The Pennsylvania State University in 1984. In 2006, he received his clinical doctorate in Audiology from Bloomsburg University. Dr. Zeigler is a Fellow member of the American Academy of Audiology, The Academy of Doctors of Audiology and holds the Certificate for Clinical Competence in Audiology through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. He has served as an officer on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (PAA) including President of PAA in 2008. He currently serves as Chair of the PA Department of Health Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee. He also serves as a consulting audiologist, providing educational audiology services through Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18. Dr. Zeigler provides diagnostic audiology and hearing aid services in a variety of settings for infants, children, and adults through his private practice with offices in Kingston and Dallas.

Mary Culkin earned her graduate degree in Sociology from the University of Denver and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University. She is certified and licensed in Speech Language Pathology in the state of Pennsylvania and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Mary has over 28 years experience providing direct patient care to pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations with a wide variety of communication and swallowing impairments. For five years, Mary worked in social services—providing counseling to children and families. Mary worked in numerous settings including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation as well as child development programs. Over the years she has supervised numerous students and currently provides direct services to the pediatric population and adults in home health .She has worked with a broad spectrum of communication disorders including autism, cleft palate, neurological disorders, PDD, central auditory processing disorders, laryngectomy, aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, and child language. Special interests are in child language and apraxia of speech. Mary is a member of the Northeast Speech-Language and Hearing Association as well as the Pennsylvania Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

Christine Evans received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from East Stroudsburg University and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Misericordia University. She is a state licensed, school certified speech-language pathologist and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from The American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She has over 11 years of professional experience in both school-age and early intervention settings, and currently provides diagnostic and therapeutic speech and language services to students in Kindergarten through 12thgrades at Elk Lake School District.

Donna Diblasi
ddiblasi@misericordia.edu
Phone: 570-674-6724

Donna DiBlasi received her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Computer Information Systems Technology from Luzerne County Community College. Donna has worked as a statistical analysis programmer for the Student Loan Marketing Association and a supervisor of special billing and the database development group for a major telecommunications company. She was the senior secretary of the Diversity Institute of Misericordia University and the North Eastern Pennsylvania Diversity Education Consortium. She also helped in the initial organization of the Luzerne County Diversity Taskforce. Donna has been instrumental in implementing new technology and upgrading the Speech-Language and Hearing Center’s software. She is the Clinical Specialist for the Speech-Language and Hearing Center.

Michelle Donato
mdonato@misericordia.edu
Phone: 570-674-8255

Michelle Donato received a Certificate of Specialization in Medical Office Assistant Management from Luzerne County Community College. She worked in the Geisinger Health System for 12 years as an Employer Service Representative for the Geisinger Health Plan. Michelle joined Misericordia University 17 years ago as a Human Resource Assistant. She left Misericordia in 1993 to raise her family and rejoined the university 8 years ago. Upon her return, she assisted in numerous departments on campus as support staff. Michelle joined the Department of Speech-Language Pathology in 2006. Michelle is currently pursuing a Degree in Business Management Administration from Misericordia University. Michelle reports to the Chair of the Department and provides support to the speech-language pathology students, faculty, and adjuncts as the Administrative Specialist.