Meet the Cochlear Implant Team

hero JDCH cochlear team — The Cochlear Implant Team

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Meet the Team

Samuel Ostrower, MD

Medical Director, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Center
Chief, Pediatric Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery

Dr. Ostrower is the medical director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Center. He is a board-certified otolaryngologist and fellowship trained pediatric otolaryngologist. He received his Bachelor of Science from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and went on to complete his medical degree from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. After completing his residency in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, he received advanced Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship training at Harvard University - Boston Children’s Hospital. His clinical and research interests include cochlear implantation and airway surgery.

Samuel Ostrower, MD

Samantha Allen, MD

Pediatric Otolaryngologist

Dr. Allen is a pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT). She received her medical degree and completed her residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. After completing her residency, she completed her fellowship in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Children's National Medical Center. Her clinical and research interests include cochlear implantation and airway surgery.

Madeline Berry, LCSW

Clinical Social Worker

Madeline Berry is a licensed clinical social worker at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Madeline is from New York, where she received her Master of Social Work from New York University. She has been practicing social work since 2014, and joined the Cochlear Implant Center in February 2021. She has extensive experience working with young children, adolescents, adults, and families. Madeline is passionate about her role in helping our patients to navigate the hearing loss journey.

Brianna Kinney, AuD

Cochlear Implant Audiologist

Brianna Kinney is a pediatric cochlear implant audiologist. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Florida State University and her Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Her clinical externship was completed at Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy Associates in Boca Raton, FL. She holds a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. Her areas of interest include cochlear implants, hearing aids and osseo-integrated devices.

Natalie McElhaney, AuD, CCC-A, AuD

Audiology Supervisor

Natalie McElhaney is a pediatric audiologist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The Pennsylvania State University, Master of Arts degree in Audiology at the University of Pittsburgh and her Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. She holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Her areas of interest include pediatrics, children with special needs, newborn/infant hearing loss identification/intervention, and electrophysiology.

Cathy Nunez, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Cathy Nunez is a speech language pathologist focusing on children with hearing loss and cochlear implants. She received her Bachelor of Science from Utah State University and earned a master's degree in Communication Sciences from Nova Southeastern University. She graduated top of her class and was the recipient of the 2016 Dean’s Award. Cathy has been working as a speech language pathologist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital since 2017. She holds a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Her interests include aural habilitation, early intervention, and augmentative and alternative communication.

Ania Reyes, AuD

Cochlear Implant Audiologist

Ania Reyes is a pediatric cochlear implant audiologist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida and her Doctor of Audiology (AuD) from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL. She holds a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Her areas of interest include pediatric diagnostic assessment, cochlear implants and auditory processing disorders.

Leonor "Leo" Roach, AuD

Pediatric Audiologist

Leonor "Leo" Roach is a pediatric audiologist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Florida State University and her doctorate degree in Audiology from Nova Southeastern University. Her clinical externship was completed at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, she holds a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. Prior to joining Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in 2017, she worked as an assistant professor of Audiology at the University of Miami Ear Institute. Her areas of interest include pediatric diagnostic assessment and pediatric amplification.

Julie Sarfati, SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Julie Sarfati is a speech language pathologist focusing on children with hearing loss and cochlear implants. She graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University with her bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Julie later attended Nova Southeastern University where she graduated with honors in Speech Language Pathology. She shares a personal connection with her patients as she was diagnosed with unilateral hearing loss at the age of two and is currently wearing hearing aids. Julie is passionate about the important role she plays in the hearing journey of her patients.