We Improve Communication - One Voice at a Time
Speech and Language Pathologists
Teri Dooley- Smith
M.S.,CCC-SLP
Teri Dooley- Smith
M.S.,CCC-SLP
Teresa is a Speech Language Pathologist, clinical supervisor, and consultant with an array of clinical experiences which include: Early Intervention, School Based services at all age levels, Adult Dayhab, Adult Rehab, AAC and Life Skills.
Teri is PROMPT certified, Massachusetts State licensed, and is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Teri is also certified as a Mindfulness Practitioner.
She founded TDS Speech in 1999 with a vision of creating a compassionate
community where families felt valued and heard and where therapists and clients
developed interpersonal relationships that encourage risk taking and a shared vision of success.
An "Out of the Box" thinker, Teri specializes in creating social skills programs that meet kids where they are and that encourage
possibility!
Outside of work, Teri enjoys spending time with her family, dancing in her kitchen (anywhere really), photography, reading and cooking.
Teri received a BS from Bowling Green State University and a graduate degree from the University of New Hampshire.
Executive Director
Tara Miller
M.A.,CCC-SLP
Tara Miller
M.A.,CCC-SLP
Tara joined the TDS team in 2010 and now serves as a treating Speech/Language Pathologist and Clinical Supervisor. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is licensed by the state of Massachusetts and is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). She is trained in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) and has completed the Meaningful Speech Course on Gestalt Language Processing.
Tara has worked throughout the Pioneer Valley in several local school districts performing evaluations and providing speech/language therapy. She is skilled at providing therapy for various speech and language disorders, including articulation/phonology, receptive and expressive language, social/pragmatic language, fluency, and childhood apraxia of speech. In addition to providing direct therapy, Tara also enjoys mentoring students, new SLPs and SLP assistants.
Outside of work, Tara enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dog, preferably outside and near a campfire.
Clinical Supervisor
Lisa Hannahan
M.S., CCC-SLP
Lisa Hannahan
M.S., CCC-SLP
Lisa began working for TDS in September of 2022. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and her Master’s from Emerson College. She has worked in 5 different states and has experience with both adults and children. She has specialty training in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of Orofacial Myological Disorders including mouth breathing, oral habits, airway issues, tongue tie (ankyloglossia), feeding issues, oral prep stage of the swallow, and tongue thrust. Lisa is Massachusetts state licensed; is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA); and licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
She considers herself a problem solver and really enjoys working with clients and families. She has had experience with autism, social communication, articulation disorders, motor speech disorders, language disorders, stuttering, voice and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
While not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandson in Africa.
Clinical Supervisor
Suzanne Warren
M.A.,CCC-SLP
Suzanne Warren
M.A.,CCC-SLP
Assessment Coordinator
Suzanne is a MA licensed and ASHA certified speech/language pathologist who joined TDS in 2006. She has had more than 30 years of professional experience working with both children and adults in a variety of settings, including hospital inpatient/outpatient, acute and long-term rehabilitation, homecare, Head Start, and public schools (preschool to grade 12). Suzanne also spent four years as a clinical supervisor in the graduate speech/language program at UMass/Amherst. Additional career experiences include working as a technical writer and a professional musician.
Suzanne received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and her
Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Suzanne has special interests in performing diagnostic evaluations and treating articulation and language processing disorders. She is also committed to helping secondary students develop essential communication skills to prepare them for employment. Above all, she enjoys the variety of her work and the challenge of finding the right therapy approach for each individual.
Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys cooking & baking, photography, reading, and discovering new music in every genre.
Makenzie Mulcahy
M.S., CCC-SLP
Makenzie Mulcahy
M.S., CCC-SLP
Makenzie joined the TDS Team in the Fall of 2016. She received a Bachelor’s of Clinical Psychology with a focus in Health Care from Emmanuel College and went on to receive her Master’s of Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University. She is licensed by the state of Massachusetts and is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Makenzie has had the pleasure of working with a variety of clients of all abilities across the lifespan. Her clinical experiences include: Early Intervention (EI), Pre-School, Medically Fragile Pediatrics, School Based learning, Accessibility, Adult Day-Hab, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Vocational Skills, and Life Skills. She has a passion for Motor Speech, Assistive Technology, and therapeutic collaboration.
Outside of work, Makenzie loves to spend time with her family and friends, cook, garden, and travel.
Technology Coordinator
Deanna Serra
M.A., CCC-SLP
Deanna Serra
M.A., CCC-SLP
Team Leader
Deanna became a part of the TDS team in 2022, providing speech and language services in the Pioneer Valley. While working mostly in public schools, she also provides services to private clients at the TDS office.
Deanna’s interest in Speech and Language Pathology began while working at an elementary school providing classroom support for children on the autism spectrum. During this time, she was introduced to AAC and witnessed how providing individuals with a voice significantly benefited their lives. Her interest in social communication and AAC motivated her to pursue a career as a speech and language therapist.
While completing her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Deanna provided therapy and evaluated a variety of clients in the educational and medical fields. Her clinical experiences include receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation, autism spectrum disorder, social communication, HH/Deaf community, AAC, assistive technology, cognition, transgender affirming voice, rehabilitation, aphasia, dysphagia, and teletherapy.
Outside of work, Deanna enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling across the country with her husband, son, and dog Kali.
Lisa Ramanauskas
M.A., CCC-SLP
Lisa Ramanauskas
M.A., CCC-SLP
Lisa's journey at TDS began in 2021 as an undergraduate intern where she helped young children and adolescents in social groups, speech camp, and individualized treatment. TDS fostered an inclusive and nurturing environment devoted to providing optimal care, support, and encouragement, which furthered her passion for speech-language pathology and led her to return for her fellowship year!
Lisa received a Bachelor's of Science in Communication Disorders with a minor in linguistics from UMass Amherst and continued there to receive her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. During her graduate school experience, Lisa had the pleasure of working with a diverse clientele across the lifespan in various settings. Her clinical experience includes: pediatric feeding and swallowing, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), adult day-hab cognitive-linguistic services, motor speech disorders, LSVT LOUD treatment for Parksinson's, fluency, articulation, school-based learning, social language/pragmatics, gender-affirming voice and interprofessional collaboration. Lisa also obtained her LSVT LOUD certification and MoCA certification.
Outside of TDS, Lisa is a personal trainer at F45 with a love for fitness. She also enjoys hiking, exploring the outdoors, cooking, traveling, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Kathy Glime,
M.A., CCC-SLP
Kathy Glime,
M.A., CCC-SLP
Kathy is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist with over 35 years of experience in early intervention and public schools. Kathy joined TDS Speech in November of 2024.
Kathy's experience includes literacy, language- based learning disabilities and supporting children with autism spectrum disorders. She has a bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Leadership from American International College.
Kathy has lived in the Amherst area for 43 years and continues to marvel at the uniqueness of the Pioneer Valley and all it has to offer.
Outside of work she enjoys yoga, traveling, and gardening. She feels lucky to have two grown children that live locally, allowing her to enjoy spending time with them and her grandchildren.
Emily Lucero,
M.A., CCC-SLP
Emily Lucero,
M.A., CCC-SLP
Emily completed two bachelor’s degrees in Biopsychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders before pursuing Speech-Language Pathology at UMass Amherst where she held a Graduate Assistantship under the U.S. DOE iPREP Grant. Following graduation, she traveled to Ecuador to take additional master’s level courses and participate in clinical practicum under Portland State University’s Bilingual SLP Program.
Emily has worked with individuals across the lifespan from ages 3 to 100+ in various settings including hospital inpatient, outpatient, private practice, and school. She has clinical experience in a variety of areas including speech/language delay, brain injury, aphasia, dysphagia, cognitive and degenerative disorders, motor speech, voice, AAC, and expressive/receptive language. She is passionate about bilingual topics, cultural responsiveness, and neurodiversity.
Outside of SLP life, Emily enjoys lifting weights, yoga, coaching field hockey, traveling, and spending time outdoors and near the ocean. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistants
Leah Anderkin,
B.S., SLPA
Leah Anderkin,
B.S., SLPA
Leah is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in Massachusetts and joined TDS in 2024. She graduated in 2023 from Worcester State University with a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and is currently in graduate school to become a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist.
Leah has worked primarily with children in the public school system, ranging from preschool through high school. She has experience working with AAC devices, speech and language delays, and children with autism. She enjoys working with nonverbal children to introduce other communication methods, such as AAC devices, eye gaze devices, and basic sign language.
Outside of work, Leah’s interests include reading, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.
Ava Polak
B.S., SLPA
Ava joined TDS in 2025 as a peer mentor for the Social Coaching Intensive summer program while an undergraduate at Syracuse University. She graduated in 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Spanish. She is now a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in Massachusetts.
Ava has worked with children from preschool age to young adulthood with social communication, articulation, and motor speech disorders. At Syracuse, she assisted in the Stuttering Research lab and wrote a senior thesis focused on breathing patterns in children who do and do not stutter.
Her passion for supporting student development of independence, self-advocacy, and life skills has led her to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology. Additional interests include the study of acquisition of language and multilingual learners.
Ava uses her knowledge of Spanish and ASL within her sessions and includes motor activities and sensory play to aid all learners.
Outside of work, Ava enjoys watching Premier League soccer, working out, going to the movies, and traveling with family and friends.
Isabel Polak
B.S., SLPA
Isabel is a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant who joined TDS as a peer mentor in the summer of 2025. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2026 with a Bachelor's degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Spanish. At her time at UMass, Isabel worked in the Sounds2Syntax lab. She wrote her honors thesis on the relationship between executive functioning and grammatical processing in early childhood.
Isabel has experience working with preschool-aged children and young adults with alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, social language disorders, and communication disorders. She is particularly interested in the development of language in gestalt language processors and supporting school-age children of all abilities with speech and language challenges.
Outside of TDS, Isabel enjoys running, cheering for her favorite soccer team, walking her dog in the woods, going to concerts, and traveling!
Abby Devenitch
B.S., SLPA
Abby joined TDS as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in 2026 after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. While at UMass Amherst, she was a member of the Honors Program and completed an honors thesis focused on supporting emergent literacy development in students with complex communication needs. Her research explored how the Transition to Literacy app feature can be used to effectively teach early literacy skills.
Before becoming an SLP-A, Abby worked as a special education paraprofessional at East Longmeadow Public Schools. In this role, she gained hands-on experience supporting students with diverse needs and collaborating with educators and other professionals, further developing her interest in the field of speech-language pathology. Abby is particularly interested in continuing to expand her knowledge and skills in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and gestalt language processing.
Outside of work, Abby enjoys taking dance and yoga classes, exploring new coffee shops, spending time with family and friends, and crafting.
Stephanie Dibble
B.A., SLPA
Bio coming soon