Speech Therapy

The ability to communicate, to understand others, to express our thoughts and ideas, and to connect with others is one of our most important human characteristics. The loss of communication abilities can have devastating effects on individuals and their families. The licensed speech-language pathologists at HRMC are here to help.

Speech-language pathologists are professionals who specialize in evaluating and providing treatment for individuals with a wide array of communication, cognitive, and swallowing problems.

Individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumor or dementia may have cognitive, communication, and memory difficulties as a result. The Therapy Center's Speech-language Pathology Department, in coordination with Neuropsychologist Gerald Tramantano, Ph.D., has developed a program to help individuals to improve and speed recovery of these conditions.

Kelly Everett, a licensed speech-language pathologist at HRMC, says we focus on families and real-life communication situations while working with individuals with difficulties. A lot of current research is demonstrating positive effects of group therapy for people with aphasia, a language disorder usually resulting from a stroke. Individuals at different levels of ability are able to support each other in a way that is so much more meaningful than just providing one-to-one therapy with a speech pathologist.

For those individuals who experience swallowing difficulties, the Therapy Center at HRMC provides digital fluoroscopic studies, otherwise known as modified barium swallow evalutations. Christine Bove, a licensed speech-language pathologist, is also certified in Vital Stim therapy that is often helpful for people experiencing impaired swallow function.

The Speech-language Pathology Department has affiliations with regional universities, including William Paterson University, Montclair State University and Bloomsberg University.

For more information about how the speech-language pathologists at HRMC may be able to help you or a family member, please call us at (908) 850-6835.

Christine M. Bove, MA/CCC-SLP graduated from Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ in 1995 with her Masters Degree in Communication Science and Disorders.   Christine possesses Speech Correctionalist Certification in the state of New Jersey.  She is also a certified Vitalstim therapist.  Christines professional experience includes management of the in-patient and out-patient pediatric through adult caseloads in larger medical center such as Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center and Morristown Memorial Hospital.  Christine has served on interdisciplinary teams inclusive of: RWJUH the Neuromuscular & ALS Center; RWJUH Independent Child Study Team.  She has taken continuing education classes in such areas as Advanced dysphagia; Intensive Care Unit Training for Rehabilitation Professionals; 7th Annual Neuroscience Conference Series: Stroke Controversies and Advances; Brain Dissection and Neuroscience: Applications to Disorders of Language and Speech Functions. The aspects of being an SLP that Christine finds most interesting are dysphagia, cognitive-linguistic dysfunction and head/neck cancer rehabilitation.  In addition to working at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Christine is also employed by Morristown Memorial Hospital and various Acute and Subacute/ Long Term Care rehabilitation facilities in both Warren and Sussex Counties.

Kelly Zecca, MA/CCC-SLP graduated from Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ in 2006 with a Masters Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  She is an ASHA member in good standing.  Kelly has taken continuing education classes in areas such as the 7th Annual Neuroscience Conference Series: Stroke Controversies and Advances, Dysphagia Assessment in the Medically Complex Patient; Advanced Perspectives in Autism: Strategies and Intervention.  Kelly works with the outpatient pediatric population as well as the inpatient adult population in acute and rehabilitation settings. The aspects of being an SLP that Kelly finds most interesting are pediatric and adult language disorders.  This November Kelly completed the DIR B course towards certification in the DIR and Floortime model.

Lori Zerhouane, MA/CCC-SLP is the Lead SLP at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center.  Lori earned her Master of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Akron; Akron, Ohio in 1985.  She has taken continuing education classes in the areas of advanced pediatric language, voice disorders, and updated swallowing information.  In addition to supervising staff and program coordination for the speech department; Lori works with children and adults with communication and cognitive disorders.  She has an interest in voice disorders, stuttering, and using sign language to help with speech and language development.

Donna Wright, MS, OTR graduated from Morris County School of Practical Nursing with her LPN in 1977.  She subsequently obtained her Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1992 from College Misericordia and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Education from Columbia University in 2009.  Donna has participated in many continuing education courses including Sensory Integration Theory, Sensory Integration Treatment, NDT 5 Day Baby Course, Individualized Support Project (an integrated interdisciplinary approach to treating young children with Autism), Diane Henrys Sensory Tool Kit, and was a 2009 AOTA Poster Presenter on Transition of Special Education Students from Educational Services to Community Based Services.  Over the years Donna has found working with children across varied settings most interesting.  Her overall goal is for children to take what is presented during therapy and integrate that in as many settings a challenging and rewarding experience.  Donna previously worked as a consultant in Northern NJ schools, and in an early intervention program.  She also has experience working with families on ordering equipment for home use.  This November Donna completed the DIR B course towards certification in the DIR and Floortime model of intervention.