MS, CCC/SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Leila Ramirez Salmons is the founder and owner of Therapy Connections. She holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Texas A&M University at Kingsville. Leila is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology. She has over six years of experience in the public school system and over ten years in private practice. Along with specializations in treating apraxia, dysarthria, language and articulation disorders, autism, and orofacial myofunctional disorders, Leila also has extensive training and expertise providing pediatric assessments and therapy in both English and Spanish. In August 2008, Leila received a five-year term Gubernatorial Appointment to the Texas State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Leila has a strong belief in the therapeutic benefits of yoga. In 2010 she developed a program called Tiny Pretzels, which has been an ongoing program offered at Therapy Connections. She has completed the following trainings: “Yoga for Kids and Families” teacher training by Kids Yoga, “National Teachers Certification” at The Yoga Institute, and “Basic Teacher Training” by Yoga 4 Kids.

By continually updating her skills as a speech-language pathologist through educational seminars and professional development, Leila delivers the most innovative approaches available in the therapy rehabilitation industry.

MA, CCC/SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Laura Morales is a Bilingual speech pathologist who received her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, and has 28 years of experience helping children and adults with communication disorders. Early childhood, medically fragile, culturally and linguistically different populations, as well as the hearing impaired are her specialties. She enjoys using different strategies and techniques to assist children and adults achieve successful communication skills for everyday situations. Laura has worked in hospital, school, and clinical settings in the Houston area. She has been a delegate of the People to People (P2P) International Ambassadorship program with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and participated in international professional/cultural workshops in South Africa, Israel, and Brazil with speech pathologists from those countries.

MA, CCC/SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Elizabeth Alam has been a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist for over 10 years. She specializes in Pediatric Speech, Language, and Feeding disorders. She joined the Therapy Connections team in 2011 and is experienced in working with children birth-18 years, with speech, language, feeding, voice, and fluency disorders.

SLP ASSISTANT

Abigail Ramos is a Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Houston. Additionally, Abigail completed an SLP Assistant certification program at the University of Houston-Sugar Land. Abigail has experience working with preschool and school-age children in the school setting. Abigail believes parent involvement and incorporating the therapy objectives at home are critical to a child’s success.

MA, CCC/ SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Tracy Simien holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication Disorders and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Houston. Tracy has experience treating preschool and school-age children with various forms of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language deficits, social communication skills, articulation, and phonological disorders using structured games and therapeutic play. She also has experience working with children diagnosed with Autism, Down Syndrome, hearing loss, and various developmental delays.

MS, CCC/SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Dana Cran has been a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist since 2002. She holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Rockhurst University in Kansas City and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas. Dana is currently a licensed SLP in Texas, Georgia and California and holds her ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. She has experience working across a variety of settings with the birth-18 population including preschools, elementary schools, early intervention, home health, non-profit medical clinics and teletherapy. Dana is experienced in diagnosing and treating pediatric language and articulation disorders and has a special interest in treating phonological processing disorders. One of her favorite aspects of working with the pediatric population is building relationships with families and providing them with strategies to help improve their children’s communication skills.

MA, CF/ SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Dalia Umana holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from Our Lady of the Lake University. Dalia joined the Therapy Connections team in 2017 as a Speech Language Pathologist-Assistant, where she developed a passion for treating preschool and school-age children. She is currently completing her Clinical Fellowship Year. While in graduate school, Dalia gained experience evaluating and treating children with various forms of communication disorders, developmental delays, and hearing loss. She also gained experience evaluating and treating adults with various communication and swallowing disorders.

MA, CCC/ SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST, CBIS, CLC

Jean Hawney is a pediatric bilingual speech-language pathologist with over 10 years of experience working with infants, children, and adults with swallowing and communication impairments. Jean completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Spanish from Loyola University New Orleans and graduated with her master’s degree from Queens College in Jamaica, N.Y. She has her advanced degree in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia University. Prior to completing her master’s degree, Jean was a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru and worked with families to promote health and environmental initiatives. She is fluent in Spanish.

As a speech-language pathologist, Jean has worked in a variety of settings across the lifespan, including early childhood intervention, outpatient and private clinics, public schools, adult and pediatric inpatient rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric acute care. Currently, Jean focuses primarily on supporting parents of breastfed and bottle-fed infants, as well as infants and toddlers who have experienced difficulty transitioning to solids. Jean also works closely with medically fragile infants and children who have tracheostomy tubes and weaning of feeding tubes. When Jean works with her patients, her goal is for them to feel empowered to advocate for their needs and to have an active role in their therapy.

Jean holds the following certifications: Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Level 1. Jean has completed trainings with a focus on Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS), Breastfeeding, SOS Approach to feeding, SOFFI Method ™, Passy Muir Valve, Tracheostomy, and Ventilator dependent patients, and Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies.

OFFICE MANAGER

Veronica Sustaita serves as the Office Manager for Therapy Connections where she is responsible for ensuring operations run smoothly in order to provide a positive experience for our patients. Additionally, Veronica manages the Billing and Insurance where she produces timely and accurate claims processing.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Lauren Tijerina functions as the Administrative Assistant that performs office support work in order to create and maintain an enjoyable working environment. Additionally, Lauren manages Therapy Connections’s social media platforms (i.e. Instagram/Facebook) and website. She graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Biology and enjoys working with children.