Staff Test

Upon earning a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from New York University, Lisa Jiannetto-Surrusco, MA, CCC-SLP, began her career in 1999 working in NYC in a variety of pediatric settings.  This included working as a home-based early intervention therapist, while also providing services for the NYC Department of Education within numerous elementary and middle schools.  Her clinical training at NYU opened the door for clinical competency in swallowing disorders and in 2002, she decided to fulfill her life-long dream of opening a private practice to further advance her work within this specialty. She began as a sole practitioner, opening Speech and Language Therapy Associates of Staten Island. In response to the overwhelming high success rates of her clients and the outstanding reviews of satisfied parents, the practice grew. All members of the practice share the same vision of excellence and professionalism, which has been a guiding principal since the beginning. In 2012, the practice was renamed Reach for the Stars and eventually expanded into Cranford, NJ, the town she calls home.

Throughout her years of practice, Lisa (also affectionately known as “Miss Lisa” by her young clients) has gained the respect of many of her professional colleagues.  In addition to the steady flow of referrals to her practice, she is regularly invited to speak at numerous professional workshops and graduate school seminars as a guest lecturer.  She has also written a variety of local professional workshops throughout the NYC/NJ area pertaining to the treatment of complex feeding disorders in children and the delivery of high-quality clinical services within the school setting.  She is also contracted throughout the City of New York to evaluate and devise treatment plans to assist with the management of feeding disorders during the school day for students throughout the five boroughs. She is thrilled to be an off-campus clinical supervisor for several top graduate programs in the area.   Her areas of focus are orofacial-myofunctional disorders, feeding-swallowing disorders, cleft palate-VPI, and motor-speech disorders.  She is PROMPT trained. She also received her training for orofacial-myofunctional therapy at the world renown Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy.  This created the backdrop for ongoing professional collaboration with a vast network of providers locally, nationally and worldwide, who share the same philosophy that treatment should be viewed with the intention to identify and treat underlying interconnected causes to speech, feeding-swallowing, and airway difficulties. She is also trained in SOS Approach to Feeding and CAN-EAT Approach, two very highly sought approaches used to treat feeding pediatric feeding difficulties.

Lisa is enormously grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the lives of all families that her practice has helped. She is grateful for how the practice has been embraced so lovingly by the communities that it serves. Her greatest satisfaction and joy are watching children grow, advance, and overcome.

Chelsae Dell Elba, MS, CCC-SLP, is a graduate of Seton Hall University and earned and Master of Science Degree in Communication Disorders. She is both NYS and NJS licensed, and is ASHA certified.

Chelsae’s experiences include inpatient and outpatient pediatric speech-language-feeding services. She also has experience in the school setting working with multiple handicapped and medically fragile populations. She has a special interest in working with youngsters impacted by complex feeding difficulties. Working with children has always been her passion. To her, children are “a constant reminder of how to enjoy the simple things in life”. Hearing a child “find his or her voice and watching a child with eating difficulties thrive”, “means the world” to her. Chelsae considers herself lucky to have a career that she loves.

Additional training includes PROMPT, SOS Approach to Feeding and AAC.​

Megan Papandrea, SLPD, CCC-SLP is an ASHA certified NJS speech-language pathologist. She is a graduate of Kean University – School of Communication Disorder and Deafness. In addition to working at Reach for the Stars, Megan also works as a SLP in Woodbridge Township School District, where she won Support Staff Educator of the Year in 2019. Megan has close to ten years of experience delivering services in a public school, through home-based early intervention, and in a private practice setting. She is PROMPT trained. She has experience of working with children with a variety of disorders and classifications, but has a special interest in working with children with language-literacy disorders. She is passionate about speech-language pathology, and believes in forming a genuine relationship with each of her clients and their families, and serves as a Clinical Lead at the practice.

Johanna Chacon, MA, CCC-SLP is a New Jersey State licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist, with nearly 5 years of clinical experience. Johanna graduated from Kean University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, and her Master of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Johanna has clinical experience working in a variety of pediatric settings including home-based early intervention, public schools ranging from preschool aged to high school aged, and private practice. She has worked with diverse populations and treated children with a wide range of communication difficulties, including: articulation/phonological disorders, fluency disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and social communication disorders. Johanna is a big proponent of using a play-based therapeutic approach in order to enhance and facilitate speech and language development in a fun and engaging environment. Johanna feels lucky to be in a field she loves and is thrilled to be part of the Reach for the Stars clinical team!

Isabelle Filiciello, MS, CCC-SLP, is a New Jersey and Maryland state licensed ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist. She received her undergraduate degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Loyola University Maryland and her Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Seton Hall University. She is a PROMPT trained therapist and received certification in Augmentative and Alternative Communication through Stockton University. As an experienced public school provider she treats a diverse population of students with fluency/articulation impairments, communication impairment, auditory processing deficits, social communication disorders, and receptive and expressive language deficits. In addition, she works closely with school team members and families to provide training and support regarding language and communication needs. Her passion for dance is exhibited through the Dragonfly Program at the Westfield Area YMCA where she is employed as a dance instructor for adults with special needs. Through this experience, she has found a passion for facilitating language through movement and play-based therapy which creates an engaging language-based environment that helps her friends find their voice. She hopes to facilitate similar programs for her pediatric patients at the practice, and is so excited to be a part of the Reach for the Stars team!

Shannon Smith has earned her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University and her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Montclair State University. Shannon has gained clinical experience working with both pediatric and adult populations across various settings including university-based clinics, public schools, outpatient hospitals, and private practice settings. She has evaluated and treated a variety of disorders including articulation, expressive/receptive language, fluency, pragmatics, aphasia, auditory processing disorder, and apraxia. Shannon also has experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder utilizing high and low-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. She has collaborated with occupational therapists, physical therapists, classroom teachers, and parents in order to help maximize student learning and patient progress. Her clinical practice revolves around evidence-based practice and individual-centered therapy to ensure optimal care for her clients.

Currently, Shannon holds her Speech-Language Specialist certification from the New Jersey Department of Education and is completing her Clinical Fellowship with Reach for the Stars. Shannon feels that it is vital for speech therapy to be a personal and engaging experience that puts the “fun” in functional. She is excited to embark on her career in speech-language pathology at Reach for the Stars.

Amna Ismail, MA, CCC-SLP, earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Kean University’s Nathan Weiss Graduate School. Her undergraduate studies were in Communication Deafness Disorders with a minor in Psychology. Amna is bilingual and able to communicate at a conversation level in Urdu/Hindi. In addition to working at Reach for the Stars, Amna is a full-time school-based speech-language pathologist.

Amna’s clinical experience focused on the evaluation and treatment of both pediatric and adult clients in a university-based clinic and hospital setting. She has experience treating children with a range of diagnoses such as articulation/phonological disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. She has a special interest in early childhood development and feeding therapy. Amna is proud to be an SLP and is committed to lifelong learning ensuring she utilizes evidence-based practice when working with your little ones.

When she is not working, Amna enjoys reading mystery novels, working out, and spending time with her family.

Carly Weshner, MS, CF-SLP, practices in our Cranford location. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in General and Special Education from Seton Hall University, with a concentration in Speech Language Pathology. In 2023, she graduated with a Master of Science from Seton Hall University, in Speech Language Pathology. Carly obtains New Jersey and New York State licensure in Speech Language Pathology and earned her Professional Certificate as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD).

During her studies, she provided speech and language services across the lifespan in a variety of settings. Her clinical experience included working in an elementary and specialized school, hospital, and private practice setting. Carly enjoyed each settings’ unique clientele, however, after years of working with children, this population has always remained special to her. Her goal is to advocate for her clients while increasing their ability to self-advocate and looks forward to engaging with their family members in order to provide the highest level of care and support while working at RFTS!

Noreen Ponik, MS CCC-SLP, earned her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Science. She holds New Jersey State licensure, Speech Language Specialist certification from the New Jersey Department of Education, and a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Noreen is PROMPT trained and has over 14 years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of communication disorders in the public and non-public school setting working with diverse populations alongside child study teams and families. She has experience with a wide range of diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorders, phonological/articulation disorders, developmental delays, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency disorders, and social pragmatic disorders amongst others. Noreen utilizes a variety of individualized therapeutic evidence-based interventions which include play-based and child-led therapy in addition to literacy-based approaches. She believes in teaming with parents to facilitate and strengthen communication strategies. When Noreen is not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She is very excited to be part of the Reach for the Stars team!

Mahchid Namazi earned her M.Sc. in speech language pathology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. After working as a pediatric speech language pathologist in early intervention, private practice, and hospital settings for 10 years, she returned to McGill University in Montreal Canada to complete a PhD in bilingualism and language disorder. Upon completing her PhD, she moved to New Jersey to embark on a career educating future speech language pathologists at Kean University, where she is now Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Mahchid has published in a variety of journals, presented locally, nationally, and internationally on bilingualism and language disorder. Another area of passion for Mahchid is Autism. As a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, she utilizes the child’s interests and strengths to build intrinsic motivation for language learning and communication. As a multilingual pediatric speech-language pathologist, she has worked for over 27 years in a variety of urban settings, in three different countries, and with many different clinical populations. Dr. Namazi is currently serving as a language editor for the Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research and is a coordinating committee member of ASHA’s SIG 14.

Gianna Fallon, MS, CF-SLP, practices in our Cranford Jersey location. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Brooklyn College with a double minor in Children Studies and Psychology. In 2024, Gianna graduated with her Masters of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Touro University. Gianna has gained clinical experience working with early intervention, school age, adolescent, and adult populations across various settings. She has experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), expressive/receptive language, articulation and phonology, and pragmatics. She has also gained experience working with individuals utilizing low and high tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Gianna loves working with clients of all ages and tailoring each approach to fit their unique needs. Her goal is to make therapy engaging, fun, and effective, in order to empower her clients and boost their confidence. She is thrilled to be a part of the clinical team at Reach for the Stars!

Kaitlyn Borg, MS Ed, CF- SLP, received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Monmouth University. Her undergraduate studies included a double major in Communication Disorders and Psychology. Kaitlyn’s clinical experience focused on the evaluation and treatment of both pediatric and adult clients in a post-acute care setting and elementary school. She has experience treating children with a range of diagnoses, including articulation disorders, autism spectrum disorder, expressive and receptive language disorders, and hearing impairment. Kaitlyn believes that speech therapy should be a collaborative, individualized experience tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs. Kaitlyn looks forward to making a positive impact on the lives of the children and families she serves. She is thrilled to be a part of the Reach for the Stars clinical team. When she is not working, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her friends and family and loves staying active through exercise.

Diana Deserto, MA, CF-SLP, practices in both our Edison and Cranford locations. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University and her Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Psychology from St. John’s University. She holds a Professional Certificate as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) in New York and is currently completing her Clinical Fellowship. Diana’s clinical experience includes working with individuals across the lifespan in diverse settings such as schools, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. She has experience with a variety of communication disorders, including expressive and receptive language difficulties, apraxia of speech, articulation and phonological disorders, and pragmatic language challenges. Additionally, Diana is particularly passionate about working with feeding disorders, including sensory-based feeding difficulties, picky eating, and infants with tongue-tie. Her specialized experience in NICU settings has provided her with valuable expertise in assessing and treating infants with complex feeding and swallowing issues. Diana is committed to using evidence-based strategies to promote safe, effective feeding and communication. She believes in creating individualized, engaging therapy plans that foster confidence and success. Outside of work, Diana enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family and friends. Diana is passionate about working in a field she loves and is thrilled to be part of the Reach for the Stars team!

Kim Carnovale has been a part of Reach for the Stars since 2024. She has a wide variety of professional experience. She loves sharing her creative talents by keeping both offices colorful and festive. Her two favorite tasks are creating a beautiful Cranford storefront display for each season and motivating the children with stickers or crafts after their sessions. She keeps the offices running smoothly and supports all locations. She is always ready to help the parents and therapists when the need arises.

Bella is currently preparing to be a speech-language pathologist. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Monmouth University. She is most excited to enter the field so that she “can give children the confidence to find their voice”. Bella’s focus is on increasing awareness of speech, language, and feeding disorders, and she believes that sharing online resources is a great way to support and educate parents and family members of children with difficulties.