Expert Speaker List
Dr. Ethan Benore, Ph.D.
Pediatric Psychologist, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-6023
Topics: Non-drug treatment of pain, Sleep medicine, Psychology in rehabilitation, Behavioral psychology
Dr. Norman Christopher, M.D.
Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-8906
Topics: Integrated medicine
Dr. John C. Duby, M.D., FAAP
Director, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-8790
Topics: ADHD, Autism, Early identification of developmental disorders, Brain development, Cognitive disabilities
Dr. Suneet Sahgal, M.D.
Physician, Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-8050
Topics: Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal cord and brain injuries
Judy Doyle
Pediatric Hospital Program Coordinator, Parent Mentor Program Coordinator, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-3072
Can provide parent volunteers to speak on the following topics: Parent experiences with medical professionals, Raising children with special needs or chronic medical conditions, Coping with the death of a child
Kathleen Considine
Speech-Language Pathologist, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-8643
Topics: Dyslexia, Language-based learning disabilities
Barbara Kline
Speech Pathologist, Coordinator of Pediatric Dysphagia Program, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-8648
Topics: Pediatric dysphagia
Sandra Brotman Domoracki
Audiologist, Project Director, Family Child Learning Center
(330) 633-2055
Topics: The Regional Infant Hearing Program, the ear, hearing, hearing loss, Cochlear implants, hearing aids, the needs of students with hearing loss, early intervention for infants and toddlers with hearing loss
Jen Galang Meeker
Clinical Dietitian, Adolescent Health, Akron Children's Hospital
(330) 543-4444
Topics: General nutritional wellness, Eating disorders, Weight management
Mark Frisone
Executive Director, Family & Community Services, Inc.
(330) 297-7027 (ext. 302)
Topics: Services/programs for individuals and families in the community
Ms. Diane Palos
Judge, Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court
(216) 443-8849 (Bailiff, Dan Newman)
(216-443-8866 (Scheduler)
Topics: What divorce looks like, Positive aspects of divorce court, Alternative dispute resolution in domestic relations cases, Teachers testifying in divorce court cases, Children with special needs in divorce cases
Dr. Geraldine Hayes Nelson, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice-President, Pipeline Initiatives/Diversity Programming, Kent State University
(330) 672-2920
Topics: At-risk students, Parenting education programs (i.e. divorced or CPS-involved families)
Dr. Rebecca Zurava, Ph.D.
Veteran Teacher
(330) 293-5695 (home)
(330) 730-3484 (cell)
Topics: At-risk students, Advice to future teachers
Ms. Nessa G. Siegel, Esq.
Attorney, Siegel & Agins, Co., LPA
(216) 291-1300
Topics: IEPs, Discipline of a disabled child, How are 504, ADA, and IDEIA alike and different?
Dr. Philip Safford, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Special Education
(216) 752-8449
Topics: Special education issues
Lyle Barton
Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2294
Topics: Data collection/management, Low-incidence disabilities
Christy Balan
Associate Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-0595
Topics: Pharmacological interventions
Sloane Burgess
Assistant Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2294
Topics: Autism Spectrum/language development disorders
Rob Cimera
Associate Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2294
Topics: Transition, Supported employment, ADHD
Sanna Harjusola-Webb
Assistant Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672- 1477
Topics: Early intervention, Infant-toddler development, Language
Karen Kritzer
Assistant Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2294
Topics: Deaf education/language development
Pam Luft
Associate Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2294
Topics: Deaf student issues
Melody Tankersley
Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2294
Topics: Classroom management, Behavioral programming for parents, Positive behavior support
Andrew Wiley
Assistant Professor, Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2294
Topics: Suggestions for overcoming the challenges of inclusion implementation
Terri Kent
Professor, Musical Theatre Coordinator/Artistic Director, Porthouse Theatre
(330) 672-0107
Topics: Backstage access for museums, dramas, expressive arts, etc.
Dr. Catherine Ricks
Environmental Educator, Kent Parks & Recreation Office
(330) 673-8897
Topics: Parks and Recreation
Dr. Linda Robertson
Director, Gerald H. Read Center Center for International & Intercultural Education & TRAVEL2KNOW
(330) 672-0563
Topics: Tourism
Ellen Glickman
Professor, Health Sciences, Kent State University
(330) 672-2930
Topics: Thermoregulation, Exercise and the older adult, Training and prescription