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| Employee Biographies We value every employee at The Speech Path. Every member of our team plays a vital role in quality patient care. Please take some time to read about us. From admininstrative personnel to Speech-Language Pathologists, all are valued. As you read about our Speech-Language Pathologists, it will become evident that our team can't be beat! Our SLP's are highly skilled, experienced, and competent. Feel free to call either office to inquire further about our team.   Kay Hancock, M.Ed., CCC-SLP and Jessica Niederkorn, M.A., CCC-SLP Owners
In the Summer of 2005, two enterprising speech-language pathologists noticed that extensive speech services were hard to find in Middle Georgia. The school systems were stretched thin with their case load, geriatric patients were often seen by ‘roaming’ SLPs who visited on a case-by-case basis, and private therapy offered by a specialized practice was almost non-existent. Both having worked in larger metro areas, they knew the positive effect their services could provide for a community and decided to do something about it. On September 1 of that same year, Jessica Niederkorn and Kay Hancock opened the doors of The Speech Path, LLC, in downtown Perry, finally creating an avenue for central Georgia residents to have access to the wide array of speech-related services previously only available in larger metro areas. Kay practiced in the prestigious Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN where she helped develop an alternative/augmentative communication clinic in partnership with MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association). She primarily worked with adults with progressive neurological disorders and specialized in head/neck cancer patients and those with voice disorders and/or swallowing complications. After moving to Perry, she began working at a local hospital as the Speech Therapy Cooridinator for Inpatient/Outpatient Services. Jessica previously lived and worked in the Houston, TX area in school settings, private practice therapy, and part-time at several hospitals affiliated with Houston’s medical center. Because of this, she was able to see patients of every age and be exposed to a wide variety of disorders, speech issues, and feeding/swallowing problems. Jessica also gained first-hand business experience while in Houston as an independent contractor. The world of business was intriguing to Jessica and she was able to couple her experiences in a variety of settings with the world of business and channel both into her ideas of what would eventually become The Speech Path, LLC. Kay and Jessica eventually met while working together in middle Georgia. One day over lunch, they discussed the need for enhanced speech services in the area and joined forces to create a business to fill the gap they both saw. What started off as job-sharing at a small practice in downtown Perry with just the two of them has now blossomed into a multiple-office business that offers progressive and extensive speech therapy services throughout Georgia.  Cindy Mizer - Company Administrator
Cindy Mizer joined the Speech Path in December 2006 as office manager for Perry. In May of 2007, a second location was opened in Macon. During this time, she assisted in training office staff for the new office as well as maintain the daily functions of the Perry practice. Due to overwhelming growth, the Perry office moved to its current location on Northside Drive in May 2008. Shortly after, Cindy became the company administrator. She has over 15 years experience in the field of medical administration in areas such as medical records management, medical billing, coding and provider relations. She is married to Dan and has two children, Chelsea and Matthew. She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family. Nicole Knight - Director Of Financial Services
Nicole Marie Knight moved to Perry, GA 3 years ago from Atlanta, GA. While in Atlanta past work experience focused on insurance sales and human resources. Nicole served as in insurance manager for a large company for over five years. Some of her various responsibilities included issues regarding COBRA, FMLA, HIPPA, Worker’s Compensation and investigating insurance claims.
She has been employed by The Speech Path since February 2009. In April 2009, she became Director of Financial Services which focuses on coding, billing, and patient financial services. She has been married to her husband David for 18 years. They have 2 children. She enjoys home remodeling, arts and crafts, cooking and spending time with her family.
 Wanda Niederkorn - Data Entry, Financial Services
Wanda Amerson Niederkorn, born in Gordon, Wilkinson County, Georgia, graduated from Wilkinson County High School, married 32 years to John, two sons, two grandchildren. Employed at Central State Hospital as a Medical Secretary from 1968 until 1976, Employed with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as an Investigative Assistant from 1978 until present. Retired in 2006 with over 30 years of service with the State of Georgia; however, maintained part-time employment with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Employed as contract data entry clerk for The SpeechPath in 2006, and hired as employee in 2007. Attend Sacred Heart Church, Warner Robins, GA, have lived in Houston County since 1976. Hobbies include remodeling and gardening. Patient Liaison - Stephanie Rylander
Joni Van Etten - Office Manager, Perry Office
Joni Van Etten moved to Perry, Georgia in May of 2006 with her family. She began working at The Speech Path, LLC in August of 2007 as a student and part of the Cooperative Business Educational Program. Joni graduated from Perry High School with Honors in May of 2008. She attended Faulkner University in Alabama focusing on core curriculum. After moving back to Perry, GA to be close to family and friends, Joni rejoined The Speech Path team in the position of Office Assistant. Recently, she was promoted to Office Manager. Joni will be attending Macon State College (evening program) with a desire to become an Occupational Therapist. She wants to learn many languages and travel all over the world to experience different cultures. One day, she would like to get married and start a family. Margeen Roberts - Office Assistant, Perry Office
 Yadira Perez- Office Manager, Macon Office
Yadira Perez was born in Puerto Rico, but raised in Miami, Florida. She is a newlywed and proud mom of three beautiful children. Her interests include traveling with her family, reading, making gel candles and other crafts. Yadira enjoys the challenge of being office manager in Macon. Working with people and interacting with the patients and their families is one of her greatest assets. She is bilingual and often assists the Perry office with scheduling for our Spanish speaking families. Andrea Blackburn - Office Assistant, Macon Office
Andrea Blackburn has lived in Macon, Georgia her whole life. She began working at The Speech Path, LLC in January of 2009 as an Office Assistant while attending Mount de Sales Academy. Andrea graduated from high school with Honors in May of 2009 and is currently enrolled at Mercer University in Macon. She is majoring in Business with a minor in Spanish. For the future, Andrea is looking at possible graduate programs that would allow her the opportunity to continue her studies abroad.  Erica Chatelain, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Director of Adult Services
Erica Ann Chatelain graduated in 2003 from the University of Georgia where she received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In 2004, she graduated from Valdosta State University with a Master of Education in Communication Disorders. Since 2004, Erica has enjoyed working with both the pediatric and geriatric populations. She has experience in acute care facilities, long-term care facilities, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, schools, and private practice. Erica has been working for The Speech Path, LLC since 2005 and in 2007 she transitioned to a full time staff member. She enjoys working with children and adults of all ages with a variety of disorders. Erica has experience treating patients with speech, language, swallowing, feeding, fluency, and voice disorders. Erica is a certified F.E.E.S. Specialist and was trained by Dr. Susan Langmore in 2006. Currently, Erica travels around middle Georgia performing F.E.E.S. in skilled nursing facilities. She also holds certifications in the Compton P-ESL Accent Modification Program and the TalkTools Oral Motor Therapy Program. She has also received training in therapy focusing on feeding aversions and a sensory-motor approach to feeding therapy. Erica is also a provider of the SpeechEasy fluency device, a proven fluency tool used to reduce stuttering and to help increase fluency. Erica married her husband, Daniel, on September 29, 2007. She loves UGA football, shopping, working out, reading, and catching up with friends. She is welcoming her first niece in May 2008.  Jennifer Thomas, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Director of Pediatric Services
Jennifer Thomas has been a speech language pathologist since 1999. Graduating with both her bachelors and masters degrees from Valdosta State University in 1997 and 1999 respectively, she has practiced in a variety of settings. Beginning in the public school system, Jennifer served kindergarten through 12th grade for two years developing new programs for inclusion, auditory processing and listening. After moving to Warner Robins, Jennifer began a pediatric private practice providing in home services for children. In November of 2001, Jennifer began working with Babies Can’t Wait, providing early intervention services including swallowing, oral motor, speech and language therapy for infants and children aged birth to three. Jennifer began working with The Speech Path in 2006. Jennifer’s passion is family centered care. A child’s first and best teacher is his parent. Jennifer provides speech therapy services with the understanding that therapeutic intervention is most successful when integrated within a patient’s daily routines in his/her natural environment. Jennifer enjoys treating children with motor speech disorders, autism, language learning disabilities and other childhood disorders of communication. Pediatric feeding and swallowing are also areas of interest for Jennifer. Jennifer is married to Andy Thomas and is mom to Alice and Elizabeth.  Wendi Martin, M.P.T., Physical Therapist
Wendi Martin graduated from Wesleyan College in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and was employed for three years as a high school science teacher. Realizing that she had a different calling, Wendi returned to school and graduated from The Medical College of Georgia with a Master of Physical Therapy degree in 1999. Wendi has worked in a variety of therapy settings including home health, Babies Can’t Wait, schools, and outpatient rehabilitation. Her primary focus has been to provide quality care to the pediatric population, believing that therapy is something that happens not only in the clinic, but throughout the day. She feels the parent is the best therapist a child can have, and that her job is to teach parents and caregivers how to incorporate therapy into their daily activities. For Wendi, physical therapy is a passion, not a job. She enjoys working with those who have neurological disorders, motor delays, orthopedic conditions, and sensory processing concerns. Wendi resides in Oglethorpe with her husband, Tommy, and her two children, Sara Morgan and Winn.  Kristen Nichols, M.A.I.S., SLP-A
Kristen Nichols graduated from the University of Georgia in 2002 with a BSED in Communication Sciences and Disorders and the equivalent of a minor in Spanish. After graduation, she moved to Guatemala to work on her Spanish skills and following her passion for other cultures has continued to take her around the world to many countries in Latin America and Asia. In 2003, Kristen returned home and taught Spanish in a Georgia middle school. She then attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC where she received a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies in 2006. Upon moving back to Georgia, Kristen started working at The Speech Path as a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Aide. In 2008, Kristen became licensed with Prevent Blindness Georgia as a certified children’s vision screener and assumed the role of Preschool Screening Coordinator, offering hearing, vision and speech-language screenings to local schools in middle Georgia. She also coordinates social skills groups, reading groups, and language groups for The Speech Path. Kristen is married to her wonderful husband, Brandon Nichols. They live in Bonaire, GA with their dog, Fletch, and have a son, Hudson Gray Nichols.  Julie Doster, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Julie Doster graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education. She received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Valdosta State University in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Since January 2002, Julie has enjoyed working with pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations in a wide variety of settings. She provided therapy in the outpatient and acute settings at The Medical Center of Central Georgia from 2002-2005. Julie provided speech services in the acute care facility, skilled nursing facility, outpatient setting, and in home services while employed with Crisp Regional Hospital for three years. She began working with The Speech Path in 2008. Julie enjoys working with children and adults of all ages with a wide variety of disorders. She has experience treating patients with speech, language, swallowing, fluency, and voice disorders. Julie has been a certified VitalStim provider since 2005. She also attended ASHA Health Care 2004: Dysphagia in Adults and Children. She holds certification in the Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention Program. She has also participated in a variety of courses to learn new skills and techniques to enhance the services she provides. These include: Preschool Motor Speech Intervention, Swallowing Disorders Rehabilitation Techniques, and Working with Preschoolers Who Stutter. Julie is married to Ryan Doster. They are proud parents of Abbey and Jack. Julie enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  Denise Flanders, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Denise graduated from Valdosta State University in 2007 and 2008 with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communication Disorders. She has been employed with The Speech Path since January 2009. She enjoys working with pediatric and adult populations and has experience treating patients with speech, language, swallowing, and voice disorders.While getting her degrees, Denise was an active participant in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and was also a member of the organization’s intramural softball team. During her second semester of graduate school, she was selected from hundreds of applicants to serve as a student volunteer at the 2007 American Speech Language Hearing Association’s national convention in Boston, Massachusetts. Denise is the proud mother of two boys, Bailey and Devin. Denise enjoys spending time with her boys and loves to read during her free time.  Emily Hulbert, M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Emily Hulbert graduated from the University of Georgia in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In 2007, she graduated from the University of Alabama with a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. After graduation, she worked in skilled nursing facilities in both Birmingham, Alabama and Macon, Georgia. Emily joined the Speech Path team in December of 2008. She enjoys working with both the pediatric and geriatric populations. She was recently trained in FEES and is excited about working with the Speech Path FEES program. Emily is married to Mark Hulbert and she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.  Jacqueline D. Davis, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Jacqueline D. Davis has worked as a speech language pathologist for the past 25 years in the public schools, in community clinics, private clinics, early intervention programs, home health, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and in private practice. She has also served as a CFY Supervisor, off-Campus Clinical Practicum Supervisor and Co-Director of the former AfterCare Rehab of Macon, Georgia. In these settings, she has gained experience working with infants through adults with communication disorders. In addition, Jacqueline serves as a regular member of the panel of speech/language disability evaluators for the Georgia Department of Labor-Disability Adjudication Services. Jacqueline is licensed by the State of Georgia and holds the American Speech Language & Hearing Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence. She also holds Performance Based S-5 Teacher Certification for grades Pre-K-12 in the service areas of Speech/Language Pathology, Data Collection and Teacher Support Specialist (Mentor Teacher). Jacqueline earned the M.Ed. degree in Speech Pathology from Valdosta State University, and the B.S. degree in Special Education—Speech pathology from Alabama A&M University. She is a member of The American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Georgia Speech-Hearing-Language Association. Beverly Sinclair, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Beverly Sinclair has 23 years of experience in the field of speech pathology in various settings(nursing homes, rehab hospital, schools, home health, private clinics). She is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and licensed by the State of Georgia . She graduated from Valdosta State University with an undergraduate and Masters Degree in speech and Language pathology. She is an active Member of American Speech and Hearing Association and an active Member of Georgia Organization of School Based Speech and Language Pathologists. Jan Caquelard, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
 Lindsey Jones, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Lindsey Jones graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and minors in Early Childhood Special Education and Counseling. In May 2004, she earned a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Old Dominion University. Prior to relocating to the Middle Georgia area, Lindsey worked in both the inpatient and outpatient settings at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. While at the hospital she mentored graduate student clinicians, supervised Clinical Fellowships and was selected as a hospital preceptor for newly hired therapists. Lindsey worked closely with a team of Occupational Therapists to expand her knowledge of Sensory Processing Disorders and successfully created and implemented the first Social Skills Group treatment program at CHKD. She is a certified Interactive Metronome (IM) provider; IM is a neuromotor assessment and treatment tool used to improve the neurologic processes of motor planning and sequencing. Lindsey is passionate about the assessment and treatment of oral motor/ feeding disorders, literacy and development of early language skills. She is a member of The American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Georgia Speech-Hearing-Language Association. Lindsey is married to Mike Jones. They have a daughter, Sydney Reese, and a chocolate lab named Macy.  Brandon Walker, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Brandon Walker graduated from the University of Georgia in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She then attended Valdosta State University where she received her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology, graduating in 2001. She has since been treating a variety of speech, language, and swallowing disorders in several different settings, including grades K-12 in the public school system. She has also treated clients for speech, language, and swallowing deficits in the adult neurology and traumatic brain injury populations in the home health and hospital settings. Brandon joined the Speech Path team in September of 2007 and currently treats speech, language, feeding, and swallowing deficits in the pediatric population. Some of Brandon’s favorite pastimes include reading, playing tennis, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Stuart. She and her husband have one daughter, Sarah Ellis Walker.  Kristi Hilliard, MCD, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kristi Hilliard attended Auburn University and received her Master's Degree in Communication Disorders in 1992. She completed her Clinical Fellowship Year at Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama and was employed there until 1994. At that time, she relocated to Macon and was employed by the Central Georgia Speech and Hearing Center and treated adult and pediatric patients with communication disorders. In 1998, she began work at Healthsouth Outpatient Center in Macon where she continued to treat adult and pediatric patients with a variety of communication disorders and also adult patients with dysphagia. Kristi was certified in Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation (DPNS) as well as VitalStim therapy for dysphagia. In 2007, she began employment as a speech pathologist with the Bibb County School System. Her specialties are pediatric articulation disorders and adult patients with aphasia and cognitive impairment. Kristi has been married since 2004 to Ray. They have two daughters, Susannah, age three, and Sarah, 9 months. They enjoy any activity where they can be outside! Christy Bullard, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
 Kelly Smith, SLP.D., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kelly Smith is a part-time speech-language pathologist with The Speech Path. She is currently employed by the Monroe County school system and is considered a Speech Program Specialist. Responsibilities include provision of therapy services, supervision of therapists, program development and implementation of the new Speech Language Acquisition Program for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. Kelly has her doctorate in speech-language pathology and has worked with diverse populations in skilled nursing facilities, schools, private practice, and early intervention. Dr. Smith has been a standardization project evaluator for numerous academic and speech pathology assessment tools. She has been published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and has received the prestigious ACE award for continuing education. Dr. Smith’s research and presentation interests are in the areas of supervision of speech-language pathologists and effects of sound-field amplification systems.  Wendy Logan, M.Ed.,CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Wendy Logan received her B.S. Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia in 2003. She received her M.Ed. in Communication Disorders from Valdosta State University in 2005. Since graduation, Wendy has enjoyed working in a variety of settings with children and adults. She was employed by the Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele, GA as a speech-language pathologist from 2005-2006, where she worked in the acute care setting, skilled nursing facility and the outpatient clinic. In 2006, Wendy married her college sweetheart, Jason, and moved to Albany, GA, where she was employed by the Dougherty County School System. There, she worked with pre-school and school-aged children with a variety of speech-language disorders. Wendy and her husband moved to Macon in May of 2008. She is now employed by the Bibb County School System and is also a part-time speech-language pathologist at The Speech Path. Wendy and Jason have a yellow lab named Miller.  Mamie Knight, M.S.P., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Mamie Knight received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish in 2006 from the College of Charleston, where she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile. In 2008, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master of Speech Pathology and a Specialization in Audio Verbal Therapy and Cochlear Implants. During her graduate work, Mamie was able to get experience interning in private clinics, public schools and in a rehabilitation center for adults. As part of her specialization, Mamie was able to receive extra coursework in auditory habilitation and extra clinical hours working with infants, toddlers and school age children with cochlear implants, as well as with adults "re-learning" to hear after receiving cochlear implants late in life. Her favorite internship was spent working for 2 months in a preschool focused on the integration of children with special needs and hearing loss into regular education classrooms in Escazu, Costa Rica. After graduation, Mamie worked in the school system, where she gained a wide range of experience working with elementary, middle and high school students. She is very interested in providing appropriate speech and language services in English and Spanish to the growing Spanish-speaking population and is looking forward to making Middle Georgia her home. | |
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