Meet Our Team
Michael V. Webb, M.S., CCC-SLP, MHA
Chief Executive Officer
Michael V. Webb, M.S., CCC-SLP, MHA
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Webb is a graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY with his master’s degree in Communication Disorders and more recently earned his Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Ohio. He has presented at the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, on the use of assistive technology and the New York Speech Language Hearing Association on student and clinical fellow support and mentorship, New York State Health Facilities Association, as well as the National Convention of State Veterans Homes on Patient Driven Payment Model implementation and the new role of Speech-language pathology.
Michael serves as an instructor in the Communication Disorders Department at SUNY New Paltz, instructing graduate students in FEES.
Additionally, He served as a member of the department chair search committee for the newly developed State University of New York at Stony Brook University Communication Disorders program and was since appointed to the position of Clinical Instructor in the School of Health Technology and Management. In the fall of 2020, Michael began instructing Stony Brook’s first group of graduate level speech therapy students.
While Michael continues to provide clinical services and perform flexible endoscopic evaluations, his role in Language Fundamentals includes both business and program development. In addition, he ensures regulatory compliances and how they relate to the hospitals and skilled nursing facilities for which Language Fundamentals’ provides service.
Melissa C. Webb, M.S., CCC-SLP
Chief Operating Officer
Melissa C. Webb, M.S., CCC-SLP
Chief Operating Officer
Melissa Webb is a graduate from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY with her master’s degree in Communication Disorders. Following graduation, Melissa dedicated her professional career to gerontological and medical speech pathology. Melissa is passionate about being a strong advocate for those in need and applies that passion in her day to day work.
In 2003, at a time where on-site instrumental dysphagia assessments were unheard of, Melissa completed advanced studies over the period of six and half months to gain proficiency in administering Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Aviv at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. This training went far beyond competency and allowed Language Fundamentals to be one of the pioneers in bringing portable FEES into skilled nursing facilities in New York State. Melissa was also integral in developing a comprehensive training program based on her experience to ensure that any Language Fundamentals FEES certified staff are trained beyond competency to proficiency.
Within the operations and oversight systems, Melissa creates strategic weekly plans targeting each area’s needs, as well as individualized daily problem solving as additional changes are needed within specific buildings or regions. Additionally, Melissa oversees Language Fundamentals’ corporate compliance programs and ensures policies and procedures fall within Medicare guidelines. She also developed the company’s extensive Clinical Fellow (CF) training and professional development program to help beginning clinicians gain the experience and expertise needed to provide outstanding service.
Nicole Calderin, M.A., CCC-SLP
Chief Operating Officer – SLP Communication Foundations
Nicole Calderin, M.A., CCC-SLP
Chief Operating Officer – SLP Communication Foundations
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY New Paltz and a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Nicole is passionate about providing quality speech therapy to the pediatric population and working closely with families to support them & their children to encourage language development. She thoroughly enjoys mentoring new clinicians.
In her spare time, Nicole enjoys traveling and spending time with family & friends.
Heather Cirulnick, M.A., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager - Long Island
Heather Cirulnick, M.A., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager - Long Island
Heather holds a bachelors of speech language pathology and audiology from St. John’s university and a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from St. John’s University.
Heather has a passion for dysphagia treatment and diagnostics with a special interest in Modified Barium Swallow studies. She also enjoys mentoring new clinicians and helping them become confident and competent therapists. Heather loves the diversity of this field and of the patients that SLPs treat.
Originally from Queens, NY, Heather enjoys hiking with her dog, spending time with friends and family and catching the sunset at the beach.
Jaime Faitlowicz, M.S., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – New York City
Jaime Faitlowicz, M.S., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – New York City
Jaime is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech & Hearing Sciences. She also earned a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Florida Atlantic University.
Jaime has dedicated her career toward helping adults who have suffered strokes/neurological disorders rehabilitate their ability to communicate their wants/needs and to safely regain their ability to safely enjoy food due to Dysphagia.
In her spare time she enjoys exercising, cooking, and traveling.
Amanda M Guida
Vice President of Human Resources and Office Administration
Amanda M Guida
Vice President of Human Resources and Office Administration
Amanda is a graduate of SUNY Albany with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
In her role as Office Manager, Amanda is responsible for coordinating all business functions including Human Resources, Billing, Payroll, and Accounts Payable. For outpatients who visit our home office in Fishkill, she is the first smiling face that they see. Amanda has been with the company since 2010 playing a key role in organizational growth.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys cooking, line dancing, and spending quality time with family & friends. She also coached the John Jay High School Varsity Cheer Team to multiple Section I Championships and to the 2019 Ameri-Cheer National Championship in Orlando, Florida.
Jennifer Maher, M.A., CCC-SLP
Vice President of Operations
Jennifer Maher, M.A., CCC-SLP
Vice President of Operations
Jennifer received her undergraduate degree Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology from Queens College, and her graduate degree Speech-Language Pathology from St. John’s University.
She joined Language Fundamentals in May of 2013 and has since dedicated much of her career as a manager to supporting the team of SLPs with whom she works. Jennifer became FEES competent in 2017 and has been providing Mobile FEES as well as training to other SLPs in the downstate area.
Jennifer lives on Long Island with her husband and their two daughters.
Matthew P. McGarvey
Vice President of Business Development
Matthew P. McGarvey
Vice President of Business Development
Matt McGarvey is a graduate of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY and also earned an MBA in Health Systems Administration from Union Graduate College in Schenectady, NY.
As a senior business-to-business sales leader, Matt is passionate about improving the delivery of healthcare and is skilled in developing new business relationships. Matt’s experience includes developing prospecting plans, creating and leading targeted sales efforts, inbound marketing, competitive analysis, group presentations, and spearheading significant increases in new business sales.
Matt has also presented to skilled nursing facility industry leaders on Clinical Reimbursement, the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), OIG audits, PEPPER and more to NYSHFA, The New England Alliance, The Florida Health Care Association, Marcum & Associates, Healthcare Financial Managers of Central New York.
In his spare time, Matt enjoys being Dad to his son, golfing, baseball, hockey, exercise and comedy.
Natalie Michilena
Office Assistant / FEES Coordinator
Natalie Michilena
Office Assistant / FEES Coordinator
Originally from the Bronx, Natalie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from John Jay College.
She enjoys helping people, guiding patients in the right direction, & answering all of their questions they may have to make any process easy for them.
In her spare time, Natalie enjoys cooking, spending time with my family and spoiling her dog.
Dorene Nelson
Early Intervention Program Director
Dorene Nelson
Early Intervention Program Director
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Dorene attended Wagner College in Staten Island NY and holds both a BS & MS in Microbiology. She also holds teaching certification, previously worked as a middle school science teacher.
After her son was diagnosed with autism at 18 months and was receiving early intervention services, Dorene decided that she wanted to be able to help families receive the services and support needed and became an Ongoing Service Coordinator. She enjoys connecting with families, providing them with the appropriate level of support& guidance, and teaching them to advocate for their children. Dorene also enjoys building and maintaining relationships with providers. She is forever grateful for the foundation the early intervention program provided to her son and as an OSC it has allowed her the opportunity to share my personal experiences with families.
In her spare time, Dorene enjoys spending time with family, boating on the Hudson River, going for hikes, seeing Broadway shows and entertaining for family and friends.
Caroline Elizabeth Plank, M.A., CCC-SLP
Vice President of Clinical Education
Caroline Elizabeth Plank, M.A., CCC-SLP
Vice President of Clinical Education
Ms. Plank holds a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University, where she played Division I soccer while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and a master’s in education from the University of Virginia, graduating at the top of her class, while sitting as the social chair for NSSLHA chapter at UVA.
Her clinical and research interests lie in the areas of medical speech-language pathology, evidence-based practices, and health services delivery. She recently presented at a Nutrition Symposium, an initiative to in-service and train Registered Dietitians on the SLP's role and the IDDSI protocol.
She completed her clinical fellowship with Language Fundamentals, serving two post-acute care facilities, and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Jayde Ragimierski, M.S., CCC-SLP
In-Office Speech-Language Pathologist
Jayde Ragimierski, M.S., CCC-SLP
In-Office Speech-Language Pathologist
Jayde Ragimierski, M.S. CCC-SLP earned her B.S. in Communication Disorders and Minor in Deaf Studies at the State University of New York at New Paltz and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from The College of Saint Rose. Jayde provides Early Intervention Speech Therapy services to children ages 0-3 in Dutchess & Putnam county, as well as in-clinic services to all ages in Fishkill, NY.
Jayde holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders & Minor in Deaf Studies from SUNY New Paltz and a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from The College of Saint Rose.
Jayde is passionate about providing speech therapy to the pediatric population with speech sound disorders and language delays/disorders. She enjoys working collaboratively with families to provide them the tools and resources to enhance communication and participation in daily life.
In her spare time, Jayde enjoys spending time outdoors with her pup Shae, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Christine Rienzi, M.S., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – Orange / Westchester
Christine Rienzi, M.S., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – Orange / Westchester
Chrissy holds a Bachelor of Science from SUNY New Paltz and a MS in Speech-Language Pathology also from SUNY New Paltz.
She is passionate about improving her patients’ lives by working with them, families and staff to improve their ability to communicate and participate with daily and social activities. Chrissy believes in providing quality education to patients, staff and families and implementing strategies to provide better care and improve quality of life of patients and loved ones
In her spare time, Chrissy enjoys reading and traveling.
Kailee Teeter, M.S., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – Central New York
Kailee Teeter, M.S., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – Central New York
Kailee holds a BS in Speech Learning Disabilities from Elmira College and an MS from the College of St. Rose in Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Kailee prides herself on being a mentor & guide to new speech therapists and helping them transition from school life to work life. She also enjoys starting up new buildings and building up their speech departments in order to enhance the residents’ quality of life.
In her spare time, Kailee enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and chasing the sunshine & warm weather.
Tara Tyler, M.A., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – Northern Dutchess / Ulster
Tara Tyler, M.A., CCC-SLP
Regional Manager – Northern Dutchess / Ulster
Tara is a graduate of the College of Saint Rose Communication Sciences Disorders program and also holds a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from St. John’s University.
She is passionate about helping others, especially patients with memory deficits and dysphagia. Tara enjoys working with student SLPs and helping them develop into wonderful clinicians.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with friends & extended family.
Tina Marie Warnstadt
Early Intervention Program Coordinator
Tina Marie Warnstadt
Early Intervention Program Coordinator
Tina is passionate about helping children with special needs and their families, always making certain they receive access to the early intervention program. Having spent most of her career in early intervention and preschool special education, Tina is proficient in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the ongoing service coordinators, school districts, bureau of early intervention, counties, and State of New York.
Tina, her husband Kurt, and daughters live in the Catskills. In their spare time they enjoy shopping, movies, and weekend get-aways.
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