APHASIA CENTER OF CALIFORNIA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
Ms. Rome earned her Master's degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. Before becoming a speech-language pathologist, she worked as a journalist for many years. She began at the Aphasia Center of California as a volunteer in 2016. Ms. Rome has also worked with adults in acute care, outpatient, and skilled nursing settings.
Ms. Olson received her Master's Degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. Her speech-language pathology work experience includes inpatient, rehabilitation, home health, and outpatient settings. She has also worked as a clinical educator and supervisor at San Jose State University. Ms. Olson facilitated aphasia groups at the ACC's Menlo Park program site for several years before starting her family. We're happy to have her back as part of the ACC team!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Registered Physical Therapist - Sutter Care at Home
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
Ms. Millanski received her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Her work experience includes clinical and research speech-language pathology positions in rehabilitation and outpatient settings. In addition to her ACC staff position, Ms. Millanski is currently a research speech-language pathologist in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Texas, Austin.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Founder
- Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Elman holds Board Certification in adult neurologic communication disorders from the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. She received her doctorate in Speech & Hearing Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to founding the Aphasia Center of California, Dr. Elman was Co-Director of an outpatient medical rehabilitation center. She has more than 40 years of experience in the assessment and treatment of neurologic communication disorders. She is the author of numerous professional publications and the editor of a book published by Plural Publishing, "Group Treatment of Neurogenic Communication Disorders: The Expert Clinician's Approach." Dr. Elman is an Honors recipient of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Dr. Roberta J. Elman, Founder and Executive Director, responds to thousands of inquiries a year for information and referrals. She also speaks nationally and internationally at conferences and workshops. Dr. Elman's research provided the catalyst for this model agency, and continues to be a vital resource for rehabilitative service providers all over the world.
In 1994, Dr. Elman received national funding to conduct a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of group communication treatment. This research proved that there was significant value in receiving regular group "communication workouts," as meaningful improvement could continue for years. Many individuals who participated in the program began to venture outside of their homes and return to community life for the first time.
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
Ms. Saucedo received her Master's Degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. She has prior work experience in acute care and outpatient settings. In addition to her ACC staff position, Ms. Saucedo currently works as part of an interdisciplinary team at a regional medical center where she is an active member of the Brain Injury Committee.
Job Titles:
- Retired, Senior Program Officer - National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Marriage and Family Therapist - California Licensed
Ms. Fox received her Master's Degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. During her graduate studies, she gained experience in facilitating aphasia groups as well as an aphasia choir. Before beginning her career as a speech-language pathologist, Ms. Fox was a professional musician. In addition to her work at the ACC, she currently works with adults at a regional medical center. Ms. Fox is certified as a brain injury specialist by the Brain Injury Association of America.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Retired - Chevron
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President / Co - Founder & Former Director - Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute
Co-Founder & Former Director - Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute
Job Titles:
- Director, Global Partnerships - Cprime
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Speech - Language Pathologist - Private Practice
Job Titles:
- Vice - President of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Speech - Language Pathologist
Ms. Ewing brings more than 40 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist working with adults having neurologic communication disorders. Before moving to California in 1994, she worked at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan where she began communication and psychosocial groups for stroke survivors and family members. She has co-authored a book, "Pathways: Moving beyond stroke and aphasia," and two videotapes, "What is Aphasia?" and "Pathways."