Leadership
Jennell C. Vick
Executive Director
Jennell C. Vick, Ph.D., assumed the position of Executive Director in March of 2015. Dr. Vick comes to CHSC from the Departments of Psychological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, and Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Vick is no stranger to CHSC. Over 20 years ago, she trained as a Speech Language Pathologist at CHSC and received her Master of Arts from Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Communication Sciences. For eight years, as a Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Vick collaborated with one of the world’s top researchers in the area of speech production and cochlear implants. She then completed her doctorate at the University of Washington in Seattle and was in the inaugural class of Callier Postdoctoral Fellows at The University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders. She returned to Cleveland when she joined the faculty at CWRU in the Communication Sciences Program. Dr. Vick resides with her husband, Dr. Gregory Lee, and their two young daughters in Shaker Heights.
Contact Jennell at 216-325-7557 or jvick@chsc.org.
Bridgid M. Whitford, AuD., CCC-A
Director of Hearing Services
Bridgid Whitford Au D, CCC-A has been with Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center since 1993. She first came to CHSC as a clinical audiologist. In 2011, Dr. Whitford added management of the Regional Infant Program (RIHP) to her responsibilities and in 2015 she was appointed the Director of Hearing Services. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing programs and services within the audiology department including early interventions services for children with hearing loss (formerly known as RIHP). Dr. Whitford oversees staff development, compliance regulation, and strategic planning and implementation. In addition, Dr. Whitford advocates on behalf of people with disabilities and works with local and state legislators to make positive changes for services and funding available to people with hearing loss.
Clinically, Dr. Whitford has treated patients of all ages but has a particular interest in pediatric and educational audiology. She is an active participant in the State of Ohio Early Hearing loss Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program and sits on several statewide committees to improve access to services for children with hearing loss in Ohio.
Dr. Whitford holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Miami University, a Masters in Science in Audiology from Kent State and a Doctor of Audiology from AT Still University.
Contact Bridgid at 216-325-7585 or bwhitford@chsc.org.
Sharon Dundee
Director of Marketing and Communications
With an extensive background in marketing, design, publication, and communication for industries as varied as non-profit, retail, international finance and real estate, Sharon Dundee came to Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center in 2014. Initially, as Manager of Marketing, Communications and Events within the Development department, she was responsible for the day-to-day responsibilities of marketing and advertising for the Center and each of its (then) four areas of service. In addition, she helped to create and manage numerous special events throughout the year including several significant fundraisers. In 2017 she was appointed Director of Marketing & Communications as part of the Strategic Plan initiative to create a new, independent Marketing Department. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing marketing strategies, a comprehensive advertising plan, public relations, and digital/social media functions. She oversees and manages the marketing budget, works with numerous outsource vendors, media reps and CHSC staff to ensure a consistent brand and message for the Center.
Ms. Dundee holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Youngstown State University. She is affiliated with American Advertising Federation, eMarketing Association, and the Editorial Advisory Board of Mitchell Media.
Contact Sharon at 216-325-7577 or sdundee@chsc.org.
Rebecca Mental, Ph.D., MPH, CCC-SLP
Director of Speech, Language, and Learning
Rebecca L. Mental, Ph.D., CCC-SLP joined the leadership team at Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHSC) as Director of Research in 2018. Her responsibilities include designing protocol for collecting and analyzing outcome data, spearheading novel research initiatives, facilitating a culture of evidence-based practice and providing direct therapy to clients with speech and language needs.
Dr. Mental earned her Ph.D. in Communication Sciences from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in 2018 - her dissertation research was a collaborative effort between CWRU and CHSC. She designed and implemented a clinical research study that utilized visual biofeedback software for the treatment of older children and adults with speech sound errors. The software, Opti-Speech, allows the user to see a three-dimensional visual of his or her tongue moving in real time.
Dr. Mental has been associated with CHSC in varying capacities since she participated in her first graduate school clinical placement at the Center in 2012. She completed her clinical fellowship at the Center in 2017 and is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist licensed by the Ohio Board. Clinically, Dr. Mental enjoys working with both children and adults, with a special interest in Opti-Speech for the treatment of speech sound disorders. Dr. Mental also serves as adjunct faculty at CWRU, most recently teaching graduate-level courses on research methods and evidence-based practice.
Contact Rebecca at 216-325-7541 or rmental@chsc.org.
Timothy Thomas
Director of Interpreting Services
Tim worked for CHSC from 2007-2012 in various capacities, including Operations Manager in the CCDHH. He has been an ASL interpreter since 2004 when he completed his training at Gallaudet University.
Tim has had many years of experience working in the world of communication access, with great success creating solutions that were positive and effective for the many stakeholders involved. He has worked in account management, business development, and territory management for many of the country’s top communication access companies like Purple Communications, Karasch & Associates, and ClearCaptions, Inc.
Tim is an incredibly energetic and positive person, and these qualities will benefit all of CHSC. Tim shares our vision for our Northeast Ohio D/deaf and Hard of Hearing community where communication access is supported by great partnerships between CHSC and the agencies and organizations that provide services to the community.
Contact Timothy at 216-325-7524 or tthomas@chsc.org.
Karen Bain Hiller
Director of Development
Karen Bain Hiller has been connected to Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center since 1985 as a client, volunteer, board member and director of development from 2002 to 2005. She has worked in Greater Cleveland as a development director since 2000 at a variety of agencies, most recently including the Alzheimer’s Association, Mandel Jewish Community Center and Cleveland Sight Center. Ms. Hiller is responsible for securing support through the Annual Fund Campaign, foundation and corporate partners, special events, planned giving and donor relations. Her approach to fundraising is through a donor-centric lens and is based on building authentic relationships with all CHSC supporters.
Ms. Hiller is fluent in ASL and well-versed in deaf culture. She has been a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals during the bulk of her career and has served as board secretary of the Greater Cleveland Chapter. She is very happy to be back “home” at Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center.
Contact Karen at 216-325-7503 or khiller@chsc.org.
Timothy Skaggs
Director of Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Timothy Skaggs first joined the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center’s Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing in December of 2021. He initially took a staff position that would enable him to be part of a team of deaf professionals all working collaboratively for the betterment of the Deaf community. Timothy has a long history of working at a variety of deaf focused centers in numerous states including Deaf Services Center (DSC) in Columbus, Ohio; PAHrtners Deaf Services in Pennsylvania and Walden Learning Center for the Deaf in Massachusetts. He is very passionate about working to support the needs of the community. In addition to his work at various deaf specific centers and schools, Timothy has taught American sign Language for 6 years at the community as well as the university levels. Timothy was promoted to Director of the Community Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing in January of 2022, overseeing all programs and services including: vocational services, case management, advocacy and training, ASL programing and SignStage. He is looking forward to supporting the continued growth of the CCDHH and its committed and dedicated staff. Timothy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University in Psychology.
Contact Timothy at (VP) 216-230-9003 or 216-347-8143 (TEXT ONLY) or tskaggs@chsc.org