Meet Our Audiology & Rehabilitation Teams in Western New York
Our audiologist staff is a team of hearing health care professionals who hold a minimum of a master’s degree and who are educated and trained to evaluate and treat hearing, balance, and related disorders. Our experienced and compassionate staff employs the most advanced computerized procedures to examine each patient’s unique needs.
Our rehabilitation team consists of speech/language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and special educators. Specializing in the treatment of newborns as well as adult geriatrics, our therapists are the best in the business. Caring, skilled, talented, and charitable are just a few of the terms used to describe these extraordinary professionals!
Dr. Salvatore Gruttadauria
AUD, SLP, CCC-SP/A, FAAA, CEO
Dr. Salvatore A. Gruttadauria is the owner and CEO of Greater Buffalo Centers for Dizziness & Balance, Diversified Rehabilitation Services, and Diversified Children’s Services – private rehabilitation practices that provide occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech/language pathology, as well as audiology and hearing aid services. Dr. Gruttadauria, an audiologist and speech/language pathologist, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Buffalo and doctorate degree from the University of Florida.
Dr. Gruttadauria is an adjunct professor at the University of Buffalo and serves as clinical director consultant for Balanceback, a manufacturer of vestibular testing and treatment equipment. He is a past president of the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association, past president of the Western New York Academy of Audiology, past president of the Western New York Private Practice Association, and past vice president of audiology for the Speech/Language and Hearing Association of Western New York. Dr. Gruttadauria has lectured extensively on professional issues involving audiology and rehabilitation services and sits on a number of health care advisory boards.
Dr. Gruttadauria has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Honors of the Association from the Speech and Hearing Association of Western New York, and Man of Honor from the Tonawanda News.
AnnMarie Valle
Chief Operating Officer
Mrs. Valle is our Chief Operating Officer and a licensed hearing aid dispenser. With over 23 years of experience, Mrs. Valle oversees our financial management, IT systems, and policies and procedures. She helps to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of our support staff and coordinates communication between vendors and staff. AnnMarie is committed to high professional and ethical standards, always ensuring the best possible care for our patients.
Steven Gruttadauria, BA
Director of Operations
Steven Gruttadauria serves as our director of operations and provides insight and direction to the overall operations of our various locations including IT services. He also heads our payroll division. Steven comes to us from the tech industry and is a business school graduate from the University at Buffalo. He is also completing studies as a certified biller/coder.
Carrie Cline, M.A., CCC-A
Director of Audiology
Mrs. Cline serves as our director of audiology, providing direct supervision to our audiology staff. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo and is a clinical supervisor for graduate students pursuing their career in audiology. Mrs. Cline specializes in hearing aids, pediatric audiology, central auditory processing evaluations, and cochlear implant evaluation and treatment. She is also an active volunteer in the community and serves on several hearing health advisory boards.
Mary Malachowski, PT
Director of Clinical Operations
Ms. Malachowski is a licensed mastered physical therapist with nearly 20 years of experience. Ms. Malachowski also serves as the director of clinical operations for Diversified Rehabilitation Services and is responsible for the management of our clinical staff performance and adherence to NYS regulations as well as contract policies and procedures. Ms. Malachowski received her degree from D’Youville College where she held various positions as adjunct faculty. She currently sits on a number of professional advisory and quality assurance committees for other local health care organizations.
Carol Knauer, COTA
Director of Development
Ms. Knauer is our director of development and a certified occupational therapy assistant with our agency. With Diversified since 2004, Ms. Knauer is responsible for our human resource duties, provider credentialing, and therapist assignments, among other important business functions. Lastly, Ms. Knauer is the proud owner of a Cairn Terrier, Daisy May, an AKC certified therapy canine and member of the SPCA Paws For Love program. To the delight of staff and patients alike, Daisy is a weekly regular at our Kenmore office.
Paul Barlog
Chief Operating Officer Emeritus
Mr. Barlog is our Chief Operating Officer Emeritus. Mr. Barlog has over 30 years of experience in the health care industry and is responsible for the management of our numerous contracts to health care facilities as well as overseeing staffing. With a background in occupational therapy, Mr. Barlog’s experience is invaluable.
Dr. Brian Sawka, Au.D.
Senior Vestibular Audiologist
Dr. Sawka comes to us from the world-renowned American Institute of Balance where he worked as a vestibular audiologist. Dr. Sawka received his Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Buffalo and has extensive experience in advanced vestibular diagnostics.
Dr. Daniel Cartwright, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Mr. Cartwright joined our staff as a student over a year ago and is now completing his Doctorate of Audiology at the University at Buffalo. In addition to his skills with audiological diagnostics and hearing aid fitting and repair, he has several years of experience providing support to individuals with multiple disabilities and can perform testing and other services in Spanish or French.
Dr. Jessica Gravius, Au.D., FAAA
Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Gravius earned her Doctorate in Audiology from the University at Buffalo in 2011. She also completed her undergraduate studies at UB, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communicative disorders and sciences. Her current areas of clinical interest include amplification, electrophysiology, and vestibular assessment.
Delaney Grieco, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech/Language Pathologist – Voice Specialist
Delaney is a licensed speech pathologist who specializes in voice and voice disorders and has additional training as a singing voice teacher with New York Vocal Coaching. She is trained in myofascial release for neck, voice, and swallowing disorders, a manual therapeutic technique. She is a certified provider of Speak Out! a program designed to preserve the voices of those with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological disorders.
Delaney is also trained in Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy (LMRVT), and Casper-Stone Confidential Flow Therapy (CSCFT) for voice disorders. She is experienced in the treatment of irritable larynx syndrome disorders including paradoxical vocal fold motion, also called vocal cord dysfunction, and idiopathic chronic cough. She sees patients at the Williamsville location.
Dr. Rich Klager, PT, DPT, NCS
Manager of Outpatient Physical Therapy
Dr. Rich Klager received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University at Buffalo. Since 2007 Dr. Klager has worked in staff and supervisory capacities at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. He holds certification as a vestibular therapist and he’s a certified neurologic specialist and certified brain injury specialist. He additionally has a multitude of other continuing education credentials. Prior to pursuing his career as a physical therapist, Dr. Klager was a United States Navy service member with an honorable discharge (1998-2002).
Kelli Loss, MA
Speech/Language Pathologist
Mrs. Loss received her master’s degree from Louisiana State University. Mrs. Loss specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of adult swallowing disorders, speech, language, and voice disorders, and cognitive deficits.
Dr. Camilo Maldonado, Ph.D.
Director of Speech/Language Pathology
Dr. Maldonado serves as director of speech/language pathology. He has 20 years of experience serving children with special needs. In addition to multiple degrees in communication sciences and disorders, he also holds a doctorate in early childhood education from the University at Buffalo.
Dr. Maldonado’s clinical work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood speech and language disorders. Specifically, he works with preschool children and their families to optimize communicative competencies and maximize functional interpersonal skills. Additionally, Dr. Maldonado’s research explores multicultural aspects of communication disorders and early childhood education. He has lectured extensively throughout the Buffalo community, the United States, and Europe, discussing educational service provision models for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Dr. Shanise McPhatter, Au.D.
Clinical Audiologist
Dr. McPhatter recently received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Buffalo. She has a special interest in vestibular diagnostics and hearing aids.
Dr. Jana Medves, Au.D.
Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Medves served as our doctoral extern and we are pleased to now have her join our staff as a fully licensed doctor of audiology. Dr. Medves received her doctorate degree from the University of Buffalo and has quickly become a favorite of patients and staff alike with her warmth and compassion. She is specializing in adult diagnostics and amplification.
Cheryl Palermo MS, OTR,
Outpatient Occupational Therapist
Cheryl has extensive experience in neurological and physical disabilities for both the adult and pediatric populations. In addition, she is an experienced hand therapist who excels in the treatment of disorders which affect upper extremity mobility.
Lindsay Pellegrino, MA
Senior Outpatient Speech/Language Pathologist
Mrs. Pellegrino is a practicing Speech Language Pathologist with over 10 years of experience supporting both children and adults with speech, language, and cognitive needs. She provides services through the Early Intervention program, as well as our two outpatient speech therapy offices. Mrs. Pellegrino also facilitates our outpatient speech therapy program.
Dr. Caitlyn Potter, Au.D.,
Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Potter comes to us from the University of Rochester Medical Center. She is a graduate of the University of Buffalo. Dr. Potter has expertise in Diagnostic Audiology, Vestibular Testings, Electrophysiology, and hearing aid dispensing. She is also instrumental in the development of an ototoxicity monitoring oncology protocol.
Dr. Susan Roberts, Au.D.
Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Susan Roberts received her doctoral degree from the University of Florida. She has extensive clinical experience in pediatric and adult diagnostics, hearing aids, and cochlear implants. She also has comprehensive management experience having been director of the Speech, Language & Hearing Clinic at the University of Buffalo for the past 17 years. Dr. Roberts currently serves on the New York State Licensing Board.
Dr. Brianna Wojnar, Au.D.
Clinical Audiologist
Dr. Wojnar obtained her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Buffalo. She worked in the Rochester area before joining our team as a clinical audiologist.