OUR SPEECH-LANGUAGE TEAM

Lynda P. Papale, MS, CCC-SLP

Lynda Papale graduated with a B.A. from the University of Connecticut with a Major in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a Minor in Psychology & Education. She received her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Southern Connecticut State College, and completed 6th year course work in Counseling & Guidance in Speech Pathology & Audiology. Lynda is a Speech/Language Pathologist holding Florida State Licensure and The Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association. She is Hanen Certified in the “It Takes Two to Talk” program, a parent training program for parents of children under age five who have language delay.

While in Connecticut, Lynda worked as an SLP at a residential school for children with emotional and behavioral disorders, as well as developmental disabilities. She has worked for Easter Seals and Newington Children’s Hospital, as well as for inner-city Head Start and Public School programs in Connecticut.

After moving to Florida, Lynda was the Chief Speech/Language Pathologist at the S. Allen Smith Clinic where her primary responsibilities were providing Speech and Language Diagnostic Evaluations and therapy as well as supervising the SLP clinical staff. Lynda has been with the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center for fourteen years, where she participated in a University of Florida Healthy School Readiness Grant Program providing Speech, Language & Hearing screenings to at-risk children in daycare programs. She has also provided screenings in private preschool settings and assisted with supervising SLP graduate externs, as well as writing, implementing and collaborating on Grant programs. Lynda presently provides Diagnostic Evaluations and Speech & Language treatment services in Center.

Fun Facts: Lynda enjoys traveling with family, and following golf tournaments with her husband and sons. Her creative passions include cooking, baking, and  party planning. She also designs and creates therapy materials and customized party favors.

Dorothy Bourgeois, MA, CCC-SLP

Dot Bourgeois is a licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist who has been providing speech and language therapy to children ages 2-18 in Florida since 2008. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at Jacksonville University.

Fun Fact: While attending The University of Florida, Dot was a member of the University of Florida Fighting Gator Marching Band and performed at basketball and football games.

Melissa Vincent, MS, CCC-SLP

Melissa Vincent joined the JSHC Team in June 2020 after 6 years of servicing students in public schools. These students ranged from Pre-K to age 22 with varying exceptionalities, including medically fragile students. Melissa also has experience working with adults in the areas of language, cognition, and voice therapies. She specializes in the area of dyslexia as a consultant, screener, and tutor, using the Barton Tutoring Program.

Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida before receiving a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida State University.

Fun Facts: Melissa loves spending time with her family. She enjoys baseball, going to craft/vintage festivals, and traveling. She loves cupcakes (gluten free, of course!), prefers tea over coffee, and always has a book with her.

She finds joy in arts and crafts, as well as creating therapy materials.

Lia Richardson, SLP-A

Lia started at JSHC as the Front Desk Associate in April 2015, and served as Referrals Coordinator from April 2016 until December 2019. As a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, she now supports clinical the services provided by our Speech-Language Pathologists. Lia has a Bachelors in Health Administration from the University of North Florida and a Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida. She is currently enrolled at NYU earning her Master in Speech-Language Pathology.

Fun Fact:  Lia enjoys hanging out with her chihuahua and cooking/ experimenting with vegan-based recipes. She also spends her free time tending to her indoor garden as well as doing DIY projects around the house.

Christine Bonafe-Ruiz, SLP-A

Christine started with JSHC in October of 2022 after becoming a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant earlier that year.   She has a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Biological Health Sciences.  Christine was previously a licensed pharmacy technician.  While going to school to pursue a career in pharmacology she was introduced to communication sciences and she discovered her passion for children with speech-language disorders.  She hopes to go back to school and obtain her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology.

Fun Fact: Christine is a Jacksonville, FL native and though she’s not fluent in ASL, she can knows enough to hold a conversation.

Speech Language Pathology Clinical Fellow: Kelley D’Angelo

Kelley is from St. Johns, Florida and grew up in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She recently graduated from the Speech-Language Pathology Masters Program at University of St. Augustine for Health Science. Kelley is excited to work with children and grow as an SLP.

Fun Fact: Kelley has a twin brother and she loves the television show “Friends.”

Speech Language Pathology Clinical Fellow: Rayna Ritter

Rayna graduated with two B.S. degrees from Florida State University, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Psychology with a minor in Child Development. She received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Florida. Rayna worked as a graduate student clinician within the schools as well as pediatric outpatient clinics. She also has experience working with adults, specifically those with aphasia.

Fun Fact: Originally from Key West, Rayna enjoys being out on the boat. She loves to snorkel, kneeboard and spend time at the sandbar. Rayna enjoys drawing and painting in her free time. She loves reading books, working out and spending time with family.