Faculty and Staff

Ryann Vigliotta, M.A

Ryann Vigliotta is the Staff Assistant for the Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Health Informatics programs. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science from Dowling College and a Master of Arts degree in Infant/Toddler Early Childhood Special Education with a Middle School extension from St. Joseph’s College. She has worked in various professional and educational environments including working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as other developmental disorders. Prior to joining Stony Brook University, she worked in the hospitality industry where she developed the strong communication skills needed when interacting with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. She previously worked in the Health Benefit Administration field where she assisted the Human Resource department of major domestic and international companies with administering and managing their employees’ health benefits. She is excited to be working with the Speech-Language Pathology department at Stony Brook University where she can utilize her previous work experience and education to aid in the success of its students and faculty.

Dr. Alaina Davis, Ph.D. CCC-SLP

Dr. Alaina Davis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University where she also received her Ph.D. She is also a licensed Medical Speech-Language Pathologist and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer with the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists. She has expertise in neurologically based communication disorders with adolescents and adults and primarily focuses on traumatic brain injury. Dr. Davis directs the Cognitive-Communicative Skills Research Lab in which the team examines cognitive-communicative deficits associated with sport-related concussion and return-to-learn/play/activity for student-athletes following concussion. Student-athletes are supported through her role on the HU Concussion Management Team. Dr. Davis’ work also addresses understanding of the cognitive and communication styles of adolescents and adults from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds and identifies culturally responsive methods for cognitive-communicative assessment and treatment. In addition, Dr. Davis is the Assistant Director of Graduate Assessment and leads the Graduate Assessment Council. She has interest in program assessment and analyzes the effect of cognitive learning styles on significant learning in academic and clinical activities related to speech-language pathology. Dr. Davis is published in professional journals and has co-authored chapters on TBI. She also co-hosts a podcast called, Sunday Dinner with Drs. Stanford and Davis in which she leads a series called Brain Injury Chronicles with Dr. D. telling the stories of persons with concussion and its effect on their lives.

Research Interests

• Cognitive-communication disorders associated with sport-related concussion and return-to-learn for student-athletes.
• Cognitive learning styles, communication styles, and social discourse of Black athletes and college students.
• Cognitive styles and assessment of learning among college students with and without communication disorders.

Dr. Dominick A. Fortugno, PhD

Dr. Fortugno is the Director of Health Sciences Academic Support at Stony Brook Medicine and a Certified School Psychologist specializing in early childhood assessment. He has worked in collegiate education for fifteen years as a faculty member and administrator, presented on educational assessment and autistic spectrum disorders at local and national conferences, and taught courses in statistics, research design, cognitive assessment, and developmental disabilities. Dr. Fortugno worked for several years as a school psychologist, providing assessment, counseling, and consultation services in New York City. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stony Brook University and his graduate work in School Psychology at Fordham University.

Professor Allison Fucci, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Professor Allison Fucci graduated with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Adelphi University in 2014 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Social Gerontology from SUNY Cortland in 2008. Her diverse work history includes providing speech and language therapy through the Department of Education of NYC, as well as private practice. Professor Fucci has evaluated and treated a variety of clients ranging in age (birth-geriatric) and diagnosis. Her professional experience also includes being an SLP Supervisor for the Suffolk Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy, where she trained, mentored, and supervised licensed Speech Language Pathologists, as well as clinical fellows and graduate students. Currently, she is lead SLP at Little Angels Center within their 3-year-old 16:1:2 classroom at the Islip Terrace office. In addition to her clinical work experience, Professor Fucci has had the pleasure of teaching multiple courses for Stony Brook University including HHS 520 – Preschool Child Language Disorders, HHS 521 – Speech Sound Disorders, HHS 584 – Clinical Seminar 4, and HHS 585 – Clinical Seminar 5 since Fall 2021. Professor Fucci is passionate about the field of Speech Language Pathology and is excited to utilize her clinical experience and knowledge to empower the students of Stony Brook University.

Professor Danielle LaRosa, M.A., CCC-SLP

Danielle LaRosa has been a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist since 2009. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from St. Joseph’s College in 2007 with a minor in Psychology. She went on to receive her Masters of Arts in Speech and Language Pathology from St. John’s University in 2009. Following graduation she studied pediatric dysphagia while volunteering at a medical orphanage in Antigua, Guatemala. Professor LaRosa has a passion for working with the pediatric population and has dedicated the last 12 years of her career to treating children at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children. She currently works in the Early Education Department within St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, where she services a diverse caseload comprised of medically fragile children, rare syndromes, and disorders. Her passion for providing all children with a voice has led her to aid in developing and executing a department initiative to incorporate core vocabulary into the curriculum. She also provides in-service training to department staff members in the areas of pediatric feeding and alternative and augmentative communication. Professor LaRosa is excited to share her clinical experience and knowledge with the next generation of speech- language pathologists.

Dr. Erin McCarthy, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

​​​​Dr. Erin McCarthy is a medical speech pathologist affiliated with the University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health who is a Board-Certified specialist in Swallowing disorders.  Dr. McCarthy is also a consultant and guest lecturer for Stryker Medical Company who has presented at the regional, state and national level.  She has been in clinical practice for 24 years and has extensive experience in the acute care setting, leadership & supervision, quality improvement, inter-professional practice and academia. Her clinical focus areas are in adult neurogenic acquired swallowing disorders, post-extubation dysphagia as well as utilizing orofacial myofunctional therapy as a treatment modality with patients experiencing dysphagia. Dr McCarthy has a passion for implementation science and is eager to move the profession forward by marrying evidence-based quality improvement initiatives with research.  Dr. McCarthy has worked as an adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Geneseo and Nazareth College of Rochester over the past 21 years.  Dr. McCarthy truly believes in the power of higher education, so much so that she chose to pursue her Clinical Doctorate degree in Speech-Language Pathology through Northwestern University.  Her capstone project focused on designing a randomized control trial study to determine the impact of a consistent oral care program on the mitigation of the development of non-ventilator hospital acquired pneumonia in the acute care setting. In addition, Dr. McCarthy proudly serves as a Foundation Board Member for the Young Women’s College Prep school in Rochester, NY since 2021. 

Professor Michele Merolla,  M.A., CCC-SLP 

​​​​Michele Merolla received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Marywood University, a Master of Arts degree from Hofstra University and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University. She has worked in a variety of educational and clinical settings such as Early Intervention, integrated preschools, K-12 Public Schools and private practice. Ms. Merolla has also been a consultant for several adult group homes and day treatment centers. She is currently working at Southampton Public Schools where she provides speech and language therapy to students in a variety of educational settings. Ms.Merolla has provided professional development to staff on such topics as , Language Difference vs. Language Disorder, Dynamic Assessments, Response to Intervention for SLPs and Executive Functioning Skills.

Dr. Garvin Romane, Ph.D. CCC-SLP

Dr. Garvin P. Romane is a dedicated and passionate school leader, educator, speech-language pathologist, and adjunct professor. He has spent the last 17 years studying language and vocabulary development and speech-language pathology, clinically practicing those fields, and serving culturally and linguistically diverse students and families in different capacities in both his work and various volunteer positions. Dr. Romane is the department head of speech and hearing at the Brentwood Union Free School District, where he leads a group of 30 speech pathologists and one audiologist in the fulfillment of the above mission and goal and in the development of speech-language education programs in general. He is also an adjunct professor of speech-language pathology at Stony Brook University and Touro College, where he teaches a graduate course in that subject and shares his knowledge of its application in oral, linguistic and auditory sciences. When he is not busy with these activities, he enjoys traveling, immersing himself in a variety of cultures, and exploring international cuisines. Dr. Romane’s research interests include the examination of current methods of support, intervention, therapeutic delivery, and assessment of cultural and linguistic diversity programs for students and families. He is also extensively involved in assistive technology applications for speech-language pathology, the advancement of strategic learning models that support students of color, and the use of technology to advance speech, language and literacy skills. Dr. Romane holds a license in speech-language pathology, a master’s degree in speech pathology from New York University, a master of science in education in administration and supervision from Fordham University, and a doctor of philosophy in language, literacy and learning from Fordham. He holds additional certifications in school district leadership and school building leadership (SDL and SBL) and as a teacher of the speech and hearing handicapped (TSHH). He is chief executive officer for My NEXT Level Tutor, a highly effective speech/supplemental educational consulting practice specializing in speech and language therapy for all ages as well as academic coaching.

Professor Leah Gillgannon Russo, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Leah Gillgannon Russo received both her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders and her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the City University of New York: Queens College. She began her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist over twenty years ago, where she conducted pediatric communication and dysphagia assessments in various hospital in-patient and out-patient settings, servicing medically fragile infants and young children. Professor Russo developed and directed Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s first Early Intervention Neonatal Intensive Care Graduates Program. In addition, Professor Russo conducted in-service programs and trainings for medical staff.

Professor Russo’s expertise in pediatric dysphagia and the medically fragile population brought her to the NYS Early Intervention Program, where she has conducted thousands of evaluations within the birth to three population. Professor Russo continues to provide community-based speech-language and feeding assessments and therapy for infants and toddlers with a wide range of diagnoses and conditions including, prematurity, rare diseases, neurological conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disorders, craniofacial abnormalities, genetic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, hearing loss, tethered oral tissues, and global language/communication disorders. Professor Russo also provides evaluations in her private practice and serves as a volunteer consultant for medical providers and private Early Intervention agencies.

Professor Russo is thrilled to share her clinical experiences, expertise, and passion with future clinicians in the Master of Science Program in Speech-Language Pathology at Stony Brook University.

Professor Caitlin Saxtein, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS

Caitlin Saxtein, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS is a medical speech-language pathologist. She received her Master of Science in communication sciences and disorders from Adelphi University. Caitlin holds Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) with the American Board of Swallowing & Swallowing Disorders and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) through the Brain Injury Association of America. 

Caitlin currently works in acute care and has experience in the subacute rehabilitation, outpatient, and home health settings. She is trained in Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST), McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP), Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Loud (LSVT), Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (VitalStim and Ampcare), and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). She is a 9-time ASHA ACE Award recipient for continuing education. 

Caitlin also has an extensive background with East End Hospice, volunteering with this organization for nearly 15 years and holds CAPC Designation in Communication Skills, Pain Management, Symptom Manage, and Best Practices in Dementia Care and Caregiver Support through the Center to Advance Palliative Care.

Caitlin is an active member of ASHA Special Interest Group 13 (Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders), the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS), New York City Dysphagia Study Group (NYCDSG), Long Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association (LISHA), and the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NYSSLHA). Caitlin is a Director of Speech Pathology through LISHA and will be appointed to the Director, Speech-Hospitals & Agencies through NYSSLHA in 2023. 

Caitlin has been selected to present at the local, state, and national level; including LIU Post to graduate speech-language pathology students, hosting continuing education conferences for 0.3 ASHA CEU through LISHA, NYCDSG, and Annual State Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conventions; Louisiana (LSHA), Florida (FLASHA), New Jersey (NJSHA), and New York (NYSSLHA). She was also selected to present at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2019, 2020, and 2021 Conventions. Caitlin has created continuing education resources for the MedSLP Collective and has been featured as a guest speaker on the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, episode 098 and the Speech Uncensored Podcast, COVID Convos and S3:E3 Nutritional Considerations at the End of Life.

Professor Brianna Sullivan, M.A., CCC-SLP

Brianna Sullivan, M.A., CCC-SLP has been a practicing Speech Language Pathologist since 2013. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Rhode Island in 2010. She went on to receive her Masters of Art in Speech Language Pathology from St. John’s University in 2013. In 2020, Brianna completed an Advance Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia from New York Medical College

Brianna has a passion for treating pediatric dysphagia. She studied pediatric dysphagia in graduate school while volunteering at a medical orphanage in Antigua, Guatemala. In 2015, Brianna completed ASHA’s Leadership Development Program for Emerging Leaders with a project focus on the limited graduate training in pediatric dysphagia. She has presented twice at FLASHA’s annual conference; on pediatric dysphagia competencies and the importance of mental health in the success of rehabilitation therapies. She also recently presented at ASHA’s annual conference on early career leadership.

Currently, Brianna leads the NICU Graduate Academy outpatient rehabilitation services at Bethesda Health of Baptist Health South Florida and serves as the senior speech therapist on the intensive feeding team. She trains colleagues, clinical fellows, and graduate students. When Brianna is not providing speech language therapy services, she is engaging in volunteer leadership with the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and hosting book club for her friends. She lives in sunny South Florida with her spunky Boston Terrier, Lilly.

Dr. Selene Yoel, SLPD-CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE/ MA TESOL

Selene Yoel, SLPD-CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE/ MA TESOL, is a licensed and certified bilingual speech language pathologist with over 15 years experience combined in the field of speech-language pathology and education. She is the Founder & Director of NY Speaks, an agency focusing on the assessment and treatment of bilingual/bicultural children that serves the pediatric population in NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. She completed her doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology at Northwestern University with a concentration in supporting multilingual learners and improving access to services. Selene earned her Master’s Degree from Adelphi University in Communication Sciences and Disorders with her Bilingual Extension in Spanish. She also holds a Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL) from Long Island University and holds permanent NYS Certification in these areas. Areas of clinical interest include: culturally responsive assessments, student/client advocacy, Response to Intervention, and parent/teacher training and coaching.

Craig Beale, M.A., CCC-SLP

Professor Beale, graduated with Masters of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from Hofstra University in 2011 and a BA in English Literature and Linguistics from SBU in 2009. Since 2013 he has worked at SBMC working in the areas of pediatric and adult swallowing, motor speech, voice, and communication disorders.

Erika Beck, M.A., CCC-SLP

Erika Beck completed her undergraduate work at SUNY Cortland and her Master's at Hofstra University. She has worked in a variety of settings including Early Intervention, home care, SNF's, as well as acute care. Erika also has experience with a variety of ages, birth through geriatric. She is currently working on being NICU trained. She is excited to share her knowledge during your time together.

Ryan Bozzello, M.A., CCC-SLP

I graduated with a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from St. John’s University in 2014. I have worked in a variety of medical settings including acute care, outpatient, skilled nursing/sub-acute care, and long term care. I began working at Stony Brook Medicine since 2016 and am currently the Outpatient Speech Pathology Manager.  I also work as a per diem inpatient Speech Pathologist at Mather Hospital since 2015. I treat adults with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I also serve on the Head and Neck Cancer multidisciplinary team as well as the ALS multidisciplinary team. My special interests include the head and neck cancer patient population specifically patients with TEPs.  

Kristen Curran, M.S., CCC-SLP

Kristen Curran completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at SUNY New Paltz. She received a BA in Communication Disorders in 2016 and graduated with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology in 2018. She has worked in a variety of settings, including early intervention, CPSE, skilled nursing, and acute care. She currently treats pediatrics with feeding/swallowing disorders and adults with a variety of speech, language, and swallowing disorders.

Kerri Elorriaga, M.S., Speech Pathology Supervisor

Professor Elorriaga, graduated with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Penn State University in 1998 and a BS in Communication Disorders from SUNY Geneseo in 1996. She began working at Stony Brook Medicine in 1999 and is currently the Supervisor of Speech Language Pathology. Professor Elorriaga treats patients from neonates to geriatric with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. She also serves on the cleft palate/craniofacial team.   

Elizabeth Gallo, M.S., CCC-SLP

Elizabeth has been a licensed speech language pathologist for more than 15 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts from St. Joseph’s College and received her Masters of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Adelphi University. She has had the opportunity to gain experience across multiple settings including pediatric/adult outpatient, home care, skilled nursing, sub-acute and long-term care. Her career has focused on being a medical SLP treating a variety of disorders and specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia. She has served as an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Educator for graduate students as well as mentored Clinical Fellows throughout her career. Currently, she is the Department Coordinator of Speech Pathology for IGHL, Inc. The facility provides residential and day habilitation services for the ID population with complex medical diagnosis. She is happy to join the team and continue to share her knowledge with SLP students.

Rachel Meaney, M.A., CCC-SLP

Rachel Meaney completed her undergraduate degree at SUNY New Paltz and her graduate degree at Hofstra University.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders and Sciences with a minor in Deaf Studies in 2016 and a Master’s of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from Hofstra University in 2018.  Rachel’s clinical experience has been medically-based in a variety of settings including home care, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care, and acute care.   She began working at Stony Brook Medicine as a clinician in the inpatient setting in 2018.  Rachel currently treats pediatric through geriatric patients in the acute setting for speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing deficits.  She also is part of the ALS outpatient clinic and completes AAC evaluations for this population.

Sean U. Moonsammy, MM, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Sean U. Moonsammy is a professionally trained opera singer and voice specializing speech-language pathologist. His performing career has allotted him to sing backups for Elton John, perform on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The U.S. Open opening ceremony, and has accompanied Josh Groban as a backup singer through two national tours. Sean commenced his voice training at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City; he subsequently obtained his BM and MM in opera performance at the Aaron Copland School of Music, as well as his MA in speech-language pathology from City University of New York: Queens College. He completed his clinical fellowship as an acute care and outpatient provider specializing in voice/upper-airway disorders at Stony Brook University Hospital. His appointment at Stony Brook Medicine has been supplemented by features within the ASHA Leader: In the Limelight,  “SLPs of Color,” and “The 8%” podcast. Sean has co-established Long Island’s first gender-affirming voice care clinic with Stony Brook Medicine’s Laryngologist, Dr. Keith Chadwick. He hopes to continually raise awareness of voice disorders and destigmatizing vocal injury among professional voice users.

Professor Ilene Berger Morris, MM, LCAT, MT-BC, NMT/F, CBIS

Ilene “Lee” Berger Morris is a board-certified music therapist, a NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, and a Fellow of the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy.  Lee directs the music therapy program at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, and oversees curriculum development for “Sing Out Loud”, a therapeutic chorus program designed to improve vocal abilities in people with Parkinson's disease, through Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and the University’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology. A clinician-researcher, Lee is particularly interested in studying hybrid approaches that capitalize on the intersections of music therapy and other therapeutic disciplines.  To this end, she collaborates with other researchers in the School of Health Professions, investigating the potential role of music in improving health, function and well-being.   She has extensive clinical experience in both medical and special education settings, and has authored articles about applications of music therapy in people with autism, with hemiplegia, and with Parkinson’s disease.

Professor Marta Kazandjian M.A.,CCC-SLP BCS-S, FASHA

Marta Kazandjian M.A.CCC-SLP BRS-S, FASHA, is a medical speech pathologist for over 30 years is board certified in swallowing and swallowing disorders and Director of Speech Language Pathology Services at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. She is the co-author of “Communication and Swallowing Management of Tracheostomized and Ventilator Dependent Individuals”, now in its 3rd edition, as well as many peer reviewed articles and book chapters. She is an invited national and international speaker and has extensive experience working with complex medically fragile populations in acute, sub-acute and long term care settings. Marta specializes in swallowing and communication impairment in these patient populations and has participated in funded clinical research trials. Marta has a particular interest in palliative and end-of-life care and has shared her expertise on Palliative Care Interdisciplinary teams. Marta insures that the interdisciplinary team can communicate with these patients even when verbal communication is not possible.  Marta also shares her expertise in integrative health and wellness as a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Integrative Medical Program, College of Medicine and received her certification as an Integrative Health Coach. She is one of the first medical speech pathologist in the country with this certification. Her commitment to preventative health care has allowed her to develop programs that support the “whole” patient in their rehabilitative recovery.