Craig A. Buchman, MD, Lindburg Professor and Chair, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Dr. Buchman's clinical interests include otology, neurotology and skull base surgery. He is one of the most active cochlear implant surgeons in the country. His research interests are broad in the field of hearing loss and rehabilitation and his ongoing research programs are focused on the utility of auditory evoked cortical responses in the pediatric population, electrocochleography as an indicator of cochlear trauma, and the use of auditory brainstem implants in children with cochlear nerve disorders.

Richard Chole, MD, PhD, Neurotologist & Cochlear Implant Surgeon

Dr. Chole brings to the cochlear implant team a rich clinical and research career with over 20 years of experience in cochlear implantation of children and adults. In 1998, he was vigorously recruited from University of California-Davis as the Lindburg Professor and Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine. Since his arrival, he has worked to maintain the department’s strong standing as one of the top three otolaryngology departments in the country.

Keiko Hirose, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Cochlear Implant Surgeon, & Otolaryngologist-in-Chief

Dr. Hirose was recruited from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio where she was the Section Head of Pediatric Otolaryngology. Her research focuses on cochlear inflammation and she became one of the founding members of the Neuroinflammation Research Center at the Lerner Research Institute. Dr. Hirose was also elected by her peers in the greater Cleveland area as one of the Best Doctors in America in 2006 and 2007. She is passionate about deafness and how medical and surgical intervention can impact hearing loss in children.

Jamie Cadieux, AuD, CCC-A, Audiology Supervisor, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Audiologist

After beginning her education in Bio-Engineering, Dr. Cadieux was drawn to audiology as a clinical application of her bio-engineering interests. She has worked with children and adults using cochlear implants since 2001, and received her AuD from Washington University School of Medicine at CID. Jamie’s areas of expertise include use of objective measures, optimization of coding strategies for children using all three manufacturers’ devices, hearing aid optimization for children with bimodal fittings (CI on one ear and a HA on the other ear), and bilateral cochlear implantation.

Amy Carlson, AuD, CCC-A, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Audiologist

Dr. Carlson pursued an education in audiology and received her AuD from the University of Iowa. Amy completed her clinical externship with the cochlear implant team at St. Louis Children’s Hospital where she specialized in pediatric implant and amplification fitting, and aural rehabilitation. She has experience working with children with hearing loss of all ages who utilize a variety of communication modes including Auditory/Oral, Auditory/Verbal, and Total Communication. Amy’s areas of interest include working to optimize cochlear implants in the pediatric population, amplification optimization for children with multiple involvements, aural rehabilitation, and auditory training. 

Janet Vance, AuD, CCC-A, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Audiologist

Dr. Vance pursued an education in Audiology at The University of Memphis, where she received her AuD. She has extensive experience in pediatric diagnostic Audiology, especially while working at Boston Children's Hospital. Janet has worked with children using cochlear implants since 2005. Janet's areas of interest include working to optimize cochlear implants using all three manufacturers' devices, hearing aid optimization, and working with and supporting families.

Bernadette Rakszawski, AuD, CCC-A, Pediatric Cochlear Implant Audiologist

Dr. Rakszawski completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Penn State University before moving to St. Louis.  She attended Washington University School of Medicine where she earned her AuD.  Bernadette completed her clinical externship as the Judith Gravel Fellow in Pediatric Audiology at the University of North Carolina where she gained extensive experience working in diagnostic audiology and with amplification for children of all ages.  Areas of interest include bilateral/bimodal programming and cochlear implant optimization within a family centered approach.

Emily Czerniejewski, MA, CCC-SLP, Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist

Emily received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a certificate in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies, from the University of Iowa in 2010. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa in 2012. She completed her Master’s thesis with an emphasis on AAC communication for Deaf patients in the hospital setting. Emily completed her clinical fellowship year in Chicago, IL providing therapy services in the area of Early Intervention. She has had experience working in a variety of settings including early intervention, private practice, and early childhood education. Her areas of expertise include evaluation and treatment of children with a variety of speech and language disorders, development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs), and development of treatment programs for children with a variety of disabilities. 

Andrea Gregg, MS, CCC-SLP, Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist

Andrea received her bachelors degree at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO and her masters degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. She has extensive experience working with children with hearing loss of all ages who utilize a variety of communication modes including Auditory/Oral, Auditory Verbal, Cued Speech, and Total Communication. Most recently, she worked in The Listening Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her areas of expertise include speech and language evaluations (pre- and post-CI), educational programming for children with hearing loss, aural rehabilitation and speech and/or language therapy.

Meghan Hunt, MA, CCC-SLP, Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist

Meghan received her bachelor's degree in from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX and a master's degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.  She has worked as a school-based speech language pathologist serving children with a range of disabilities and educational needs.  Areas of expertise include evaluation and treatment of children with multiple disabilities, development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs), and collaboration with parents, educators, and occupational and physical therapists to develop appropriate programming for children with multiple disabilities.

Ruth Reeder, MA, Research Scientist, Deaf Educator & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Audiologist

Ruth has worked with children with hearing loss since the 1970’s and has been involved with cochlear implant clinical trials for all three device manufacturers. Ruth has extensive experience in candidacy, pre- and post-implant evaluation, device programming, & working with all ages (infants through teens). Her areas of interest are device optimization, bilateral implantation, and working with families and educators.