Staff Directory

Sheana Richardson, Au.D.

Executive Director

Dr. Sheana Richardson has been with Savannah Speech and Hearing Center since 2000 and is currently the Executive Director. She is a native of Savannah. Dr. Richardson completed her undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and her Master’s Degree in Audiology at the University of Georgia. She received her Doctorate in Audiology through the University of Florida. Dr. Richardson’s has experience in the evaluation, diagnosis and rehabilitation of pediatric and adult hearing and disorders, including evaluation and fitting of hearing aids and cochlear implants. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She is licensed to practice Audiology and dispense hearing aids by the Georgia State Board of Examiners. Dr. Richardson is married with 5 daughters. When she is not at work, she enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her family.

Dvora Gottlieb, M.M.Sc., CCC-SLP

Program Director

Dvora is a speech-language pathologist, with 30 years’ experience, over half of them at our Center.  Because she has worked in several cities, in a variety of medical and educational settings, she has a wide range of clinical skills and works with both children and adults. She has special interests in the areas of autism and language disorders, childhood apraxia, accent modification, stuttering, parenting and literacy.  She coordinates the Speech Therapy Program at the Center, and sees clients in our Savannah office. Her Master’s degree in Communicative Disorders is from Emory University and like all of our SLP’s, she holds the CCC credential of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. When she is not at work, Dvora is a painter, a mosaicist, a dog lover and a reader.

Michelle Lynes, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Michelle is a speech-language pathologist with over 11 years experience at our Center. She works primarily off site, at the prominent daycares and schools with which our Center arranges to provide services. She provides screenings, evaluations and therapies during and after the school, which really helps busy families. She coordinates schedules (acrobatically!), to avoid school conflicts and to work around special events. Michelle works with all types of communication needs, including articulation and apraxia, autism, other language delays and disorders, stuttering and voice. Her Master’s degree is from Armstrong Atlantic State University, and like all of our SLP’s she holds the CCC credential of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

Catherine Nelson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Cathy is a speech-language pathologist with 40 years’ experience, and she joined our Center in 2015. She has worked with children in a number of cities, and settings. She evaluates and treats all types of speech and language delays and disorders, and offers special expertise in childhood apraxia and literacy. Cathy co-directed the Apraxia Clinic at Vanderbilt, and has developed an apraxia intervention system of her own. Cathy also has specific training to work with children who have hearing loss and cochlear implants. In addition to her work at our Center, Cathy is part of the supervisory staff at the RiteCare Clinic at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus. Her Master’s degree is from Phillips University, Enid, OK and like all of our SLP’s she holds the CCC credential of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

Heather Batchelor, MSP, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Heather joined SSHC in 2020 after over 10 years of private practice as well as clinical experience in outpatient and hospital rehabilitation settings for both children and adults. She received her undergraduate degree from UGA and Masters in Speech Pathology from University of South Carolina. She has developed specific areas of interest and experience including autism, pragmatic and social language disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, and stuttering. She is licensed in the state of Georgia and is certified by ASHA. Heather now focuses on the pediatric population (0-21 years) with a belief in creating individualized treatment for each child, and in collaborating with therapists and educators on the team. She strives to develop a trusting relationship with families, providing each with education and training.

Pamela A. Thompson – M.Ed, CCC-SLP

Pamela received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Speech Pathology from the University of Georgia. She returns to join this talented group of professionals at Savannah Speech and Hearing Center where she began her career in 1982. Pamela has had both adult and pediatric experience in acute and long-term care, home health, outpatient rehabilitation and early intervention. Having spent 23 years in private practice, Pamela has specific areas of experience in neurogenic communication disorders and augmentative communication. She also currently serves as a clinical instructor at the Rite Care Center supervising graduate students in the Communication Disorders Department at Georgia Southern University. Pamela is licensed in the state of Georgia and is certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association.

Glena R. Harlan, M.A., CCC-SLP

Glena has over 40 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist having worked with children and adults in Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia.  She joined SSHC in 2020 after retiring from private practice.  She found she missed clinical practice and now provides pediatric evaluations in our Savannah office.  She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Speech Pathology from Louisiana State University.  She is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and licensed in the state of Georgia. 

Karli Cannon, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Karli is originally from Lawrenceville, GA, but has been a Savannah ‘local’ for the past 8 years! She completed her Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in Spanish at the University of Georgia, then her Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders at Armstrong State University (now Georgia Southern University). Karli has experience with a variety of pediatric populations in telehealth, public schools and outpatient clinic settings. She also has experience working with adults with communication disorders in residential and assisted living facilities. Her passion is to make therapy fun and to build strong relationships with families encouraging positive therapy experiences, progress, and carryover. She enjoys practicing and improving upon her Spanish language skills to help more families in our community. Karli was voted “Best Speech Therapist” in Bryan County News 2021 and again in 2022. In her downtime, she enjoys running, making hot sauce, going to the beach, and spending time with her dogs, Lola & Poof.

Wendalyn W. Bath, OTR/L

OTR/L

Wendy joins the SSHC rehabilitation team with focus on pediatrics and interdisciplinary treatment of the child and their family. She received her Bachelor of Science from The Medical University of South Carolina in 1988 and has focused exclusively on the pediatric field the past 25 years. Although born in Indiana, she has become a southerner at heart since her move south over 35 years ago. Wendy’s experience encompasses acute and long-term care adult rehabilitation, home health, clinical management of OT teams and interdisciplinary teams, clinical education, and pediatric rehabilitation with additional focus in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. She has provided lectures in clinical, collegiate, and community settings on pediatric feeding and swallowing dysfunction as well as sensory feeding disorders. Wendy’s specialties include pediatric neurology, feeding, sensorimotor dysfunction, and developmental disorders. She is also a member of AMBUCS and serves as a clinical evaluator for adaptive tricycles.

Diamond Rashad, OTR/L

Diamond Rashad is a Savannah native and an occupational therapist with five years of experience in sensory integration, pediatric feeding, and working with children as well as adolescents with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. She received her masters of health science in occupational therapy from Augusta University in 2016, and her doctorate of occupational therapy (specialty in pediatrics) from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2019. She is trained in the Sequential Oral-Sensory to Feeding Approach and has taken several courses in neurodiversity affirming approach for autistic children and children with ADHD.  She enjoys spending time with family, traveling with loved ones, and spends time volunteering in perinatal/maternal mental health with  Postpartum Support International as a local coordinator for the Savannah Area.

Heather Wilkey, OTR/L

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Heather Wilkey is a Savannah native and has been practicing occupational therapy for the past year working in the pediatric community with experience in neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders, sensory integration, and sensory feeding. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Milligan University December of 2021. She values her roll and ability to watch a child make progress and appreciates being able to celebrate each victory. She is eager to grow and learn through continued research, collaborating with healthcare professionals, training courses, but mostly new experiences! She enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, walking her puppy, and taking the boat out for a cruise.

Kiersten Baldwin

Rehabilitation Referral Specialist

Kiersten has been our Rehabilitation Scheduler and Referral Specialist since 2019, managing the busy schedules of multiple therapists deftly and always with a smile.

Caroline Zuck, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology

Caroline Zuck has been with Savannah Speech and Hearing Center since 2007. Dr. Zuck grew up in Savannah and attended the University of Georgia. At UGA, she obtained her undergraduate degree then went on to the University of Florida to obtain her doctorate degree in Audiology. Dr. Zuck enjoys seeing patients of all age levels. She has experience with hearing aids, cochlear implants, and hearing conservation. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Dr. Zuck is licensed to practice Audiology and dispense hearing aids by the Georgia State Board of Examiners. While not at work, Dr. Zuck spends time with her husband and three children. She and her family stay busy enjoying all Savannah has to offer.

Maddie Schmidt, Au.D.

Audiologist

A native of Medina, Ohio, Maddie Schmidt graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Bowling Green State University in 2018. She received her Doctorate of Audiology from Ohio University in early 2022, joining the audiology team at Savannah Speech & Hearing soon after. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her kitten Ziva, exploring downtown Savannah, enjoying our amazing southern food, and spending time at the beach with family and friends.

LeighAnn Burke, BC-HIS

Hearing Aid Dispenser

Leigh Ann Burke is our Hearing Aid Dispenser and has been with Savannah Speech and Hearing Center since 2012. She was born and raised in Savannah graduating from St. Vincent’s Academy and Georgia Southern University, becoming a Licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser in the State of Georgia in 1999 and gaining Board Certification in 2003. She is a member of the International Hearing Society and The National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. Leigh Ann is married with one daughter. She is very active at her Church and her daughter’s school. She also enjoys reading, the beach and St. Patrick’s Day.

Lauren Alvarado

Audiology Assistant

Lauren Alvarado joined Savannah Speech and Hearing Center in 2014. With her years here, combined with her prior experience, she now has a total of over ten years working with hearing aids and in the hearing health community. She is originally from Jacksonville, Florida, but has lived in Savannah since 2008. Lauren is mother of two boys and also a lover of coffee, traveling, music, and sunflowers.

Abi Griffin

Audiology Scheduler

Abi graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus in 2022. She is also an alumni of the Savannah Memorial Day School, graduating in 2018 as the Valedictorian of her class. Abi was eager to work with our Center to set a foot forward in her field of study, and add to her practical education and experience.

Carrie Lancaster

Bookkeeper/Biller

Carrie is a Georgia native who moved to Savannah in 1987. With over 35 years accounting experience, Carrie joined our Center in 2019, serving as our bookkeeper and biller.

Kathy Peebles

Rehabilitation Billing Specialist

Kathy is a Savannah native who manages our Rehabilitation team’s billing responsibilities with patience and great dedication.

Jamie Mott

Clinical Administrative Assistant

Jamie is a Savannah native who studied at Georgia College and Armstrong Atlantic University. She manages our Rehabilitation accounts and offers support as needed to our Rehabilitation Scheduler. Jamie also kindly arranges all birthday celebrations here at the Center. She is a cat lover, a protector and savior of all animals, insects, arachnids, and more.

Tracy Edenfield, M.Ed.

Teacher

Dr. Edenfield is the Program Director of Sound Start. She received her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum Studies from Georgia Southern University in 2020. The title of her dissertation is “Performing Identities of Auditory-Verbal Deaf Students in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Performative Memoir.”

Mallory King, M.A

Teacher

Mallory King is a Savannah native and has been with Savannah Speech and Hearing Center since 2016. She attended Georgia College and State University, where she received her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She returned to GSU to obtain a post-baccalaureate certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She then received her Master of Art in teaching with an emphasis on Deaf Education from Valdosta State University. She has been with the Sound Start program now for over 7 years and specially trained to work with deaf and hard of hearing students in a classroom setting. Mallory loves working with the children and families of the Sound Start program, guiding and assisting them on their journey to use and understand spoken language.

Ashlee Sitzler

Chatham, Bryan and Effingham Counties

Ashlee has lived in the Savannah area for over 6 years and is originally from Huntsville, AL. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Child Development from the University of Arizona. Not only does Ashlee have a passion for children and a commitment to help them on their speech and language journey but she is herself a mother of two little girls, both profoundly deaf. Her oldest child graduated from Sound Start and was able to enter directly into a mainstream pre-school, and her youngest is currently enrolled in the program. Ashlee understands firsthand all that it takes to raise a child that is deaf or hard of hearing well, enabling them to learn to speak and understand sound in our hearing world. She has true compassion, love, and understanding for the children and their families. 

Jenna Harcher

Outreach Coordinator

Jenna began volunteering with Savannah Speech & Hearing in 2013 and was overjoyed to come onboard as Outreach Coordinator in the summer of 2021. She is the host of the “Speak Easy” Survivors’ Support Group here at the Center on Friday mornings. Jenna is a Charleston native and former resident of New Orleans who finds Savannah to be just right. She is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design, a longtime practitioner of yoga, and is happily married with two beautiful pups.