
Professionals
Brien
Cook
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Cook is the Chief Financial Officer for Cook Speech and Language,
Inc. His background includes experience with the
computer industry, where he worked in sales and
marketing for such companies as Apple Computer
and EPSON America. In 2004, he left the technology
sector and started
Mix It
Up! which sells and rents frozen beverage machines.
In addition
to his duties with Mix It Up! he has played an integral
role in the launching of Cook Speech and Language,
Inc. with his wife, Holly Cook. They have formed the
perfect partnership with each being responsible for
a particular aspect of the business. Mrs. Cook oversees
all clinical matters as well as supervising our speech and language pathologists.
Mr. Cook meanwhile handles all of the accounting, marketing,
and day-to-day operations.
When not working he enjoys a variety of outdoor
activities, DIY projects, and spending time with
his family and dog Bodie.
Kathleen
Nannery-Quijas,
M.A.
Speech Pathologist
Kathleen received her undergraduate degree in speech pathology
at California State University, Hayward, and her graduate
degree from the California State University, Humboldt.
She has over 30 years of experience in the field of speech pathology,
and has worked in a variety of setting including hospital pediatrics,
habilitation, school based therapy, and as a classroom teacher for children
with communication delays.
Mrs. Quijas
holds a State License in Speech Pathology. She has
been trained in SCERTS, PECS, sensory motor integration
techniques, and is a Specialist in Autism Studies through
UC Davis. Her areas of interest include language and behavior, preschool
intervention, and geriatrics.
When not working, Kathleen enjoys spending
time with her husband and their adult daughters.
Kim
Pearson,
M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech Pathologist
Kim received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field
of Speech and Language Pathology from California State University, Chico.
Though she is newer to the field, she has experience working in the school
setting, especially within special education preschools. Kim's professional
interests include early intervention, autism spectrum disorders, child
speech and language delays, and using ASL (American Sign Language) in
language acquisition. She is currently working towards completing her
clinical fellowship year in order to obtain the Clinical Certificate
of Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association; her clinical
fellowship year will be completed in June 2011.
When not working, Kim enjoys spending time with her family and friends,
traveling, and just relaxing.
Amber
Ramirez,
M.S., CFY-SLP
Speech Pathologist
Amber received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from California
State University, Sacramento. During her graduate program at CSUS, she
worked at a private school for children diagnosed with autism spectrum
disorders, as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. Amber has experience
working in the school setting as a Speech and Language Pathologist. She
is currently working towards completing her clinical fellowship year
in order to obtain the Clinical Certificate of Competence from the American
Speech and Hearing Association; her clinical fellowship year will be
completed in August 2012. Amber loves working with children and her professional
interests include autism, early intervention, and language delays.
When not working, Amber enjoys exercising, sports, and outdoor activities.
She loves to hang out with her husband, two dogs, and family.
Melissa Savage, M.S., CFY-SLP
Speech Pathologist
Melissa received her undergraduate degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology
at Brigham Young University and her graduate degree in Communications
Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge.
Melissa is currently working on her Clinical Fellowship year in order
to obtain her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the America Speech
and Hearing Association.
Melissa has four years of both full and part time experience as a speech
pathologist, mostly in school settings. She has enjoyed working with
children ages preschool through 8th grade with a variety of communication
disorders. Her interests include early intervention, apraxia of speech,
child speech and language delays, and the use of American Sign Language
in language acquisition.
In addition to Speech Pathology, Melissa enjoys spending time with her
husband and three young children, training for half marathons, traveling,
and playing the flute.
Jean
Ready, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Pathologist
Jeanie received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University
of Central Florida. During her graduate program at UCF, she participated
in the consortium program which enabled her to work in the public schools
while attending classes at night. Jeanie has been a school based therapist
for the past five years. Professional interests include all areas of
working with the severe handicapped population. Other areas of interest
are articulation disorders, language delays and autism spectrum disorders.
Jeanie holds the Clinical Certificate of Competence from the American
Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as a California
State License for Speech Pathology.
When not working, Jeanie enjoys relaxing with her cat and dog as well
as training for marathons. She is a very proud aunt and always looks
forward to traveling back east to see her nieces and nephews.
Lorri
Street,
M.S.
Speech Pathologist
I obtained my B.S. and Master's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology
and Audiology from California State University Sacramento.
In 2001, I had the privilege of becoming the first
licensed undergraduate Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLP-A)
in the state of California. My background includes 9 years work experience
providing speech and language therapy services in school-based settings
as a SLP-A, and most recently, 2 years as a licensed Speech-Language
Pathologist (SLP), also working in a school setting. I have a substantial
working knowledge of IEP processes including mandated time-lines, compliancy
regulations, and qualifying guidelines for speech-language therapy services,
the honed ability to step into a speech-language therapy environment
with a proficient skill-set readiness of therapy tools, a maturity to
look at challenges as an opportunity, and a high-level of professionalism
gained through a substantial working career.
I am excited about joining the team of Cook Speech
and Language, Inc.as a part-time SLP, and look forward
to providing speech therapy intervention to the very
young children!
Lisa
Wood, B.S., SLP-A
Speech Pathologist Assistant
Lisa Wood graduated from California State University, Sacramento in May of 2009 and is a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant that has been working with Cook Speech and Language since December of 2009. Her ambition is to go back to school, obtain her doctorate in research and become a part-time Speech-Language Pathologist and university professor. Her major interests in the field pertain to autism spectrum disorder, American Sign Language and its benefits to language acquisition, and early intervention. She is delighted to be working with Cook Speech and Language and hopes to change the lives of the children she works closely with.
Cynthia Trujillo
Speech Aide
Cynthia joined Cook Speech and Language, Inc. in October, 2010. She
graduated from California State University, Sacramento with her Bachelor’s
degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in May 2010, and plans to pursue
her Master’s in Speech Pathology. Her major areas of interest include
early intervention, American Sign Language and its impact on hearing
and non-hearing children, and the use of PECS and other alternate means
of communication with children with Autism.
Her interest in speech pathology
began through her younger brother who is non-verbal
and developmentally delayed. Her experiences with her
brother inspired her to pursue speech pathology to help change the lives
of other children and their families.
When not working, Cynthia enjoys
spending time with her family and friends, singing,
classical music and playing the piano.
Grace
Gardner
Speech Aide
Grace received her Bachelor's degree from the University of California
at Santa Cruz in Language Studies with a concentration in Brazilian Portuguese
and a minor in Sociology. She plans to pursue her Master's degree in
Speech-Language Pathology. Her professional interests include pediatric
communicative disorders, particularly pertaining to autism spectrum disorder,
articulation and phonological disorders, and American Sign Language.
She has been interested in communication, speech, and language throughout
her entire life, and is thrilled to help change the lives of children.
She eventually hopes to start her own Speech Pathology practice one day.
In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, traveling, arts and crafts, and sewing.
She loves spending time with her family, and adores her dog Babette.
Bodie
Therapy Dog
Bodie is a Therapy Dog who works with some of our clients. He is a Beagle
who was born in July 2008. He has completed several
obedience classes in preparation for his role as a
Therapy Dog. He is friendly, patient, confident, gentle,
and at ease in all situations.
Bodie has served as an excellent motivator for children of all ages
to use their communication skills in functional and practical ways. For
example, children who are working on using single words to talk can practice
giving him commands such as “sit” and “down.” Other children who are
working on pragmatic or social skills are encouraged to ask if they can
pet him using polite forms such as, “Can I pet Bodie please,” or asking
a peer, “Can I have a turn with Bodie?” The children are delighted to
receive him as a natural reward for practicing good communication skills.
When not working he loves playing tug, going on long walks, chasing
cats and frequent naps. His favorite foods are bacon, cheese and dog
biscuits.