Leadership
Tommie L. Robinson, PhD
Locations
Departments
Audiologists
- Lead Audiologist
Tracey Ambrose
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Balance and Vestibular Program
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Center
- Cochlear Implant and Hearing Restoration Program
- Hearing and Speech
Biography
Tracey Ambrose, AuD, CCC-A, is a lead audiologist at Children’s National Hospital for the past eight years with a focus on underserved populations in hearing health. She has a background rooted in research starting with her fellowship for her AuD, at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where they participated in monitoring ototoxic medication and hearing loss treatment. More recently in her career as a department lead, she has focused Children's National providers on best practice protocols and continued clinical research to improve their specialty within the medical field. In 2021 the hospital was awarded a LEND grant with the audiology department as a key component to the team where she is a faculty member. Tracey partook in training residents and fellows at Children's National and has been part of presentations at national conventions including, SENTAC, ASHA, AAO and NBASLA. She participated in research/mission trip to St. John and St. Thomas USVI as the team audiologist at the height of Zika outbreak and follow-up trip. The team was assembled by the CDC from across the country with specialists to research effects of Zika virus in this population but evolved into a return trip to address the disparity in specialty services available on the islands after the hurricane forced many to leave. Tracey is the audiology representative for American Academy of Audiology (AAA) ASLP-IC Legislative Summit to increase access for patients between states by developing inter-state compacts. She is in great standing in the pediatric audiology field and have been a peer reviewer for national journal Acta Oto-Laryngological and for updated AAA Audiological Guidelines for the assessment of hearing in infants and young children.
- Audiologist
Claire Buxton
Languages
- English
Departments
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Center
- Cochlear Implant and Hearing Restoration Program
- Hearing and Speech
Biography
- Claire Buxton, AuD CCC-A joined the Children’s National Hearing and Speech team in 2007 as a fourth year audiology extern. Dr. Buxton was part of the cochlear implant team at Children’s for seven years before moving on to work as a clinical educator at the University of Maryland and Gallaudet University. At Gallaudet, Dr. Buxton developed clinical lab experiences for graduate students in audiology and co-instructed the cochlear implant course. Dr. Buxton returned to Children’s in 2020 to work with the cochlear implant team and serve as a team lead for the newborn hearing screening program. She holds a certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is part of a humanitarian audiology team that travels to Guatemala on an annual basis to provide training for local audiology technicians.
- Audiologist
Kayla Coleman
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Kayla Coleman, AuD, CCC-A, began as an audiology graduate fellow in 2022. At that time, she also served as a trainee in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program and participated in research that investigated hearing aid wait times for patients with hearing loss in the DMV.
Dr. Coleman graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education with a minor in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture from the University of Virginia in 2019. She went on to receive her Doctorate in Audiology at Towson University in 2023. She performs behavioral audiologic evaluations and auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluations, as well as the fitting and programming of hearing aids and bone conduction devices. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) in Audiology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Audiologist
Patricia Craun
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Center
- Cochlear Implant and Hearing Restoration Program
- Hearing and Speech
Bio
Patricia Craun, AuD, CCC-A, joined the Children’s National Hearing and Speech team in 2006 and is a valuable member of the Cochlear Implant Program team. Dr. Craun provides support to our patients in English, as well as Spanish and American Sign Language. She earned her doctorate in Audiology from Gallaudet University in 2005. Dr. Craun holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is also a member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance. Additionally, she enjoys traveling with her family and hopes to one day visit the Grand Canyon.
- Audiologist
Marjan Davoodian
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Marjan Davoodian, AuD, CCC-A, earned her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Maryland, where she also completed a research internship at Boys Town National Research Hospital with a focus on pediatric cochlear implants. As part of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, Dr. Davoodian conducted research on the impact of meningitis onset age on cochlear ossification and hearing outcomes in the pediatric population. She also has an academic background in early childhood education, which enhances her work with children and families. Dr. Davoodian provides audiologic assessments, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, newborn hearing screening and fitting and management of hearing aids and bone-anchored hearing devices. She is trilingual in Farsi, Urdu and English, allowing her to provide culturally responsive care to diverse families. Dr. Davoodian holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Audiologist
Aubrey Ellis
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Aubrey Ellis, AuD, CCC-A, is an audiologist with the Cochlear Implant Program. Dr. Ellis earned her doctorate of Audiology from the University of Memphis in 2019. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a minor in Psychology and Distinguished Communicator Certification from Louisiana State University in 2015. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.
- Audiologist
Megan Ellmaker
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
- Megan Ellmaker, AuD, CCC-A, ABAC, joined Children’s National Hearing and Speech Center in 2025. She earned her doctorate of audiology from Pacific University and completed a pediatric fellowship at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she researched cochlear implant care adherence. She holds board certification from the American Board of Audiology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. Dr. Ellmaker provides audiologic, neurodiagnostic and vestibular assessments, as well as hearing aid and bone conduction device fittings. Previously, she advanced pediatric services and cochlear implant programs at Precision Hearing in Sydney, Australia.
- Audiologist
Emily Fustos
Languages
- English
Departments
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Center
- Cochlear Implant and Hearing Restoration Program
- Hearing and Speech
- Turner Syndrome Clinic
Bio
Emily Fustos, AuD, CCC-A, joined the Children’s National Hearing and Speech team in 2016 and is a member of the Cochlear Implant Program. Dr. Fustos provides support to our patients in English as well as American Sign Language. Dr. Fustos earned her doctorate in Audiology from Vanderbilt University in 2016. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with minors in Psychology and Business, from Pennsylvania State University in 2012. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and is also a member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.
- Audiologist
Jessica Hatcher
Languages
- English
Departments
- Audiologist
Gemma Messina
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Gemma Messina, Au.D., CCC-A, joined the Children’s National Hearing and Speech team in 2021. Dr. Messina earned a Doctorate of Audiology from Gallaudet University in 2021. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science and Disorders in 2017. Dr. Messina performs audiologic assessments, vestibular assessments, and auditory processing evaluations as well as the fitting and programming of hearing aids and bone conduction devices. She holds a clinical certification in Audiology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.
- Audiologist
Irene Sideris
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Audiologist
Karen Woolman
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Karen Woolman, AuD, CCC-A, is a pediatric audiologist. She completed her undergraduate studies at State University at New York (SUNY) New Platz with a Bachelor of Arts in communication disorders and her graduate studies at Gallaudet University with both a Master of Science and Doctor of Audiology degrees. Dr. Woolman was awarded the Pediatric Education Audiology Emphasis (PEAE) Grant during her time at Gallaudet University, which allowed her to focus her studies and training on the pediatric population.
Prior to working at Children’s National Hospital, she worked at a non-profit audiology, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy clinic and a private practice ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic. Both clinics were in the Northern Virginia area. Dr. Woolman currently holds a board position for the Virginia Chapter of Hands & Voices. She has held regional events for the chapter and has attended the Annual Hands & Voices Leadership conference. She presented at the Virginia Early Hearing Detection Identification (EHDI) conference and Opening Doors Unlocking Potential Conference. She has also done presentations for local organizations and for hospital grand rounds. Dr. Woolman holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Speech Language Pathologists
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Meghan Bedford
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Meghan Bedford, MS, CF-SLP, joined the Hearing and Speech team at Children’s National Hospital as a speech-language pathology clinical fellow in July 2025. Her pediatric externship brought her to Children’s National Hospital in January 2025 and she was selected for a clinical fellowship at Children’s National Northern Virginia.
In her current role, Ms. Bedford provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to children from birth to 21 years of age. She specializes in early intervention, language disorders, and working with children diagnosed with autism. Ms. Bedford has experience evaluating and treating receptive, expressive, and social-pragmatic language disorders, as well as articulation, motor speech, and fluency disorders. Her clinical passion lies in supporting children and families across all forms of communication. She firmly believes that everyone deserves a voice and that all communication is valid—no matter the modality. Ms. Bedford earned her Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences with disorders and Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from James Madison University, making her a proud Double Duke.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Tiara Booth
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine Center
- Cochlear Implant and Hearing Restoration Program
- Hearing and Speech
Biography
Tiara Booth, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist. She completed training at the University of Maryland, College Park, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in hearing and speech sciences and a Master of Arts degree in speech-language pathology. Tiara worked with pediatric and adult patients at a private practice from 2019 to 2021 before transitioning to Children’s National Hospital in 2021 as an outpatient pediatric speech-language pathologist. Tiara serves on the Cochlear Implant Team and particularly enjoys working with early intervention, hearing loss, and fluency patients.
Tiara has served as a guest lecturer in undergraduate and graduate courses as well as professional organizations. She is a board member for the University of Maryland’s Research Equity and Access in Communication and Hearing (REACH) Program. Tiara believes in mentorship and supporting younger generations in the field. She is a graduate clinician supervisor at Children’s National and mentors students through the University of Maryland and Maryland Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA) programs.
Tiara was recently awarded the 2025 ASHA Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for her service to the community. She is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH).
- Lead Speech-Language Pathologist - Outpatient Services
Sharon Netta Curcio
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Christopher Johnson
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Christopher S. Johnson, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist. He completed undergraduate training at Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology and a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Old Dominion University. He completed his clinical fellowship at Children’s Evaluation and Therapy Center in Lanham, Maryland. Christopher joined the speech-language pathology team at Children’s National Hospital in 2025.
He believes in a child-centered, holistic and strength-based philosophy and uses this approach as he helps children develop and improve their communication skills. This includes assisting with speech sound/articulation development, receptive and expressive language disorders, social/pragmatic communication challenges as well as voice, fluency and feeding/swallowing difficulties. Additionally, Christopher works closely with families, teachers and other professionals to support the child’s progress in school and daily life. Christopher holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Courtney Long
Languages
- English
Departments
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Natalie Lyman
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Natalie Lyman, MS, CCC-SLP, graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a Master of Science in communication sciences and disorders with a bilingual extension in Spanish. After completing her master’s program, she entered her clinical fellowship program at the Scottish Rite Center for Communication Disorders at Children’s National in 2023 and has been a member of the team since. Lyman’s areas of clinical interest include autism, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), bilingualism, craniofacial and cleft palate, early intervention and higher-order language. She specializes in providing bilingual Spanish/English services for children from birth to school-age. Lyman is a member of the craniofacial clinic at Children’s National. She believes in providing holistic assessment and treatment for patients with speech and language disorders. She is a strong advocate for neurodiversity affirming care and supporting bilingual children’s language development. Lyman is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Andrea Martinez Stokes
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Andrea Martinez Stokes, MS, CCC-SLP, is a full-time outpatient speech-language pathologist. She completed undergraduate training at the University of Maryland and received her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology at Loyola University Maryland. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and New York.
She has many years of clinical experience diagnosing and treating pediatric speech and language disorders. She is a member of the Cochlear Implant Team at Children’s National Hospital, specializing in working with children with hearing loss who wear amplification devices, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Margaret Roman
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Margaret “Maggie” Roman, MA, CF-SLP, is a speech-language pathology clinical fellow. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in hearing and speech sciences and her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Maryland. Roman’s graduate training included specialized clinical work and coursework supporting children with hearing loss in developing speech, language and auditory skills. She further strengthened her clinical background by completing an auditory-verbal practice training course offered by the Institute for Cochlear Implant Training (ICIT). She also has an interest in early intervention and emerging language development. She previously worked as a research assistant at the University of Maryland, contributing to projects investigating the effects of auditory training and investigating the persistence of childhood stuttering. Roman is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Taiwo Whetstone
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Taiwo Whetstone, MA, CCC-SLP, joined Children’s National Hospital as a speech-language pathologist in January 2024. She has worked with the pediatric population as a clinician in both outpatient, as well as school settings. Ms. Whetstone takes a special interest in literacy, articulation/phonological disorders, and fluency disorders. She also works with children with motor speech, social pragmatic, expressive, and receptive language disorders. Ms. Whetstone completed her graduate training in communication sciences and disorders at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and received her undergraduate degree at Sarah Lawrence College in vocal performance and was a participant in the Juilliard School’s Opera Workshop. She continues to use elements of music to inform therapy with patients whenever possible.
Ms. Whetstone is committed to providing child-centered care and feels fortunate to work with children with diverse communication abilities and needs. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition to her clinical work, Ms. Whetstone has published and presented research on the elements of melodic intonation therapy.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
VaRysa Williams
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
VaRysa Williams, MSEd, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a speech-language pathologist and feeding therapist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in hearing and speech sciences from the University of Maryland, followed by a master’s degree in education and special education from Johns Hopkins University.
Williams served as an elementary special educator in Baltimore City and Montgomery County, MD, for several years before pursuing her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology at Gallaudet University. She has experience in diverse medical settings, including pediatric outpatient care, inpatient rehabilitation and long-term acute care. She joined Children’s National Hospital in 2021, and she has become an integral member of both the outpatient and inpatient teams.
At Children’s National, Williams provides evaluation and treatment for children with developmental and acute needs in the areas of feeding and swallowing, language, cognition, voice, and speech sound production. In 2024, she completed advanced training in flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and now performs swallow studies in collaboration with the Otolaryngology (ENT) team. She is passionate about empowering patients and families through compassionate, individualized care. She holds certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Jill Wiscount
Languages
- English
Departments
Scottish Rite
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Barbara Bustamante
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Barbara Lynna Bustamante, PhD, CCC-SLP, graduated with her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Howard University. She later received her doctoral degree in speech, language and hearing science from Gallaudet University. For over a decade, Bustamante has dedicated her clinical work to assessing and treating children with speech and language disorders, with a special focus on culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) populations. Her clinical interests include bilingualism, autism, early intervention and speech sound disorders. She is part of the bilingual extension program of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, known as ALMA (autism, language, and multicultural assessment), which provides autism diagnostic services in Spanish. Bustamante believes in a holistic approach to service through strong caregiver-provider relationships, parent education and empowerment and multidisciplinary collaboration. Her research interests directly align with her clinical passions. Bustamante has conducted research on semantic development in bilingual children with autism and increasing access to care for CLD populations through short-term treatment models. In addition, she offers clinical supervision, has given several guest lectures, and has presented at local and national conferences.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Kayley Coletta
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Kayley Coletta, MS, CCC-SLP, completed both her undergraduate and graduate level training at Miami University where she was awarded her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. After graduation, Coletta completed her clinical fellowship at a non-profit organization, where she provided speech and language services to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. She believes in fostering an environment of respect, patience and individualized care. Her approach is grounded in understanding that each child is unique, with their own strengths, challenges and communication needs. Coletta has a particular interest in autism spectrum disorders, speech sound disorders and fluency disorders. She is certified in speech-language pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is currently licensed in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Ohio.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
LaShundra Collins Young
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
- LaShundra C. Young, MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist who earned her master’s degree from the Howard University Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2003. She completed her clinical fellowship at Children’s National Hospital in 2004 and has since provided diagnostic and therapeutic services across diverse settings including the public schools and several Children’s National locations.
Young’s commitment to global service is reflected in her participation in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association–Pan American Health Organization collaboration in Georgetown, Guyana, where she evaluated and treated children, led parent workshops on early language stimulation and collaborated with regional clinicians. Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publication and presentations at national conferences, most notably addressing speech and language symptoms in autism and sustainable international service models.
Young specializes in working with children from birth to 21 years old, with a particular focus on early intervention and school-aged populations. She diagnoses and treats receptive, expressive and social-pragmatic language disorders, along with speech sound, motor-speech and fluency disorders. Her clinical practice emphasizes how communication delays affect access to academics and overall participation in daily environments. Above all, she is passionate about empowering patients and families to reach their fullest communicative potential.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Lawrence House
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Daniela Misri
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Daniela F. Misri MA, CCC-SLP, is a bilingual speech-language pathologist from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She completed the graduate program at George Washington University, where she obtained her master's degree in speech-language pathology. Misri has spent 36 years at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., assessing and treating children aged birth to 21 with various communication disorders. She also provides guidance to parents and coordinates with different specialists to ensure patients receive appropriate and comprehensive care. Misri has presented various topics at national and international conferences, including speech and language evaluation/assessment in bilingual patients, bilingual language acquisition, parent coaching in bilingual homes and distinguishing language differences from a language disorder during a bilingual evaluation. As a bilingual speech-language pathologist, Misri values each child’s cultural identity and helps parents feel confident while supporting their child's development. She strongly believes that empathy, respect and collaboration are important values in helping every child reach their full potential. Misri holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Ayooluwa Olateru-Olagbegi
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Ayooluwa Olateru-Olagbegi, MS, CCC-SLP, completed her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Arizona. Olateru-Olagbegi brings years of experience working in public schools and early intervention, primarily serving Spanish-speaking and multilingual children. Her areas of interest include voice disorders, early childhood language, school-age language, articulation and fluency. She has regularly participated in both voice and neurogenetics clinics. She employs a child-centered clinical philosophy that focuses on building functional communication through each child’s unique personality and interests. Olateru-Olagbegi holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
- Speech Language Pathologist
Nathalia Rodriguez Gomez
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Nathalia R. Rodriguez Gomez, MS, CF-SLP, graduated from University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, where she received her Master of Science in speech-language pathology. Rodriguez Gomez completed an internship at Children's National Hospital and has returned for her clinical fellowship. Her clinical interests include pediatric speech-language disorders, bilingualism and swallowing disorders. She believes that cultural competence is the first step to establishing a plan of care that supports individualized, equitable and effective clinical care. Rodriguez Gomez is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia.
- Speech-Language Pathologist
Vanessa Whyte
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Vanessa Whyte, MA, CCC-SLP, graduated from Hampton University with a master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders. She has several years of experience providing diagnostic and therapeutic autism services in a regional specialized children’s hospital before joining Children’s National in January 2022. Whyte's areas of special clinical interest include autism, cleft/craniofacial, feeding and velopharyngeal insufficiency. She serves on the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, cleft/craniofacial, and velopharyngeal multidisciplinary teams where she collaborates with providers from various disciplines to ensure patients receive the best care possible. Whyte believes that compassionate, child-centered care supports lifelong development.
Care Team Professionals
- Audiology Assistant