Team - South Tampa Voice Therapy

Cara Bryan

MA, CCC/SLP

Voice Specialist, Speech Language Pathologist

She/Her/Hers

Hi! My name is Cara Bryan. I am often asked, “How did you choose the field of speech pathology?” Well, many reasons! From a very young age I was fascinated in voice, various accents, singing, and those with vocal difficulties. I watched my grandmother who lived with Parkinson’s disease struggle to make herself heard across the dinner table and thought, why? Why can’t she just speak up? My curiosity in voice and how it was produced led me to major in vocal performance in college and fueled my desire to assist others with vocal challenges. The first speech-language pathologist I knew – my mother – encouraged me to pursue the field as I could specialize in the rehabilitation of voice. My educational and professional path took me to the hospital setting where I worked for 14 years prior to starting my own practice. I formed South Tampa Voice Therapy so I could fulfill my passion of assisting others on their voice journey. I look forward to working with you.

Education

M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology
- University of Iowa 2002
- Vocology specialization
- Medical speech pathology specialization
Vocology Certification 2001
- Summer Vocology Institute, Denver, Colorado
B.A. in Music-Vocal Performance
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1999

Professional Experiences

Confident Clinician Cooperative, LC, Co-Founder and Co-Owner, 2020
Private Practice Owner at South Tampa Voice Therapy 2016-present
Staff Speech Pathologist at Florida Hospital - Tampa 2004-2016
Staff Speech Pathologist at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 2003-2004
Clinical Fellowship in Speech-Language Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa 2002-2003

Credentials

Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association since 2003, Expires December 31, 2023
Florida License since 2003, Expires December 31, 2023
Certificate in Vocology, National Center for Voice & Speech, 2001

Certifications/Training

Parkinson Voice Project Speak Out! certification
PhoRTE certified
MacNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program certified
Myofascial Release
Videostroboscopy
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

Achievements

Award for Continuing Education (ACE) 2019
Supervisor and trainer for future clinicians

Other Experiences

Soprano, Tampa Oratorio Singers; Church Choir

Melanie Schmidt

MS, CCC/SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

She/Her/Hers

Hello! My name is Melanie. I began my career working with autistic children in schools and homes. I saw first-hand how communication is central to every aspect of life. This is where I discovered my passion for facilitating speech and language through a team approach. As I gained experience in a variety of areas, my appreciation grew for speech-language pathology and all that it encompasses. I am excited to work with you!

Education

M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
- University of South Florida 2021
Post-Baccalaureate in Communication Sciences & Disorders
- University of Florida 2018
B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in Criminal Justice
- Minor in Clinical/Counseling Psychology - Adult Track
- Canisius College 2015
- University of the Sunshine Coast - Queensland, Australia Study Abroad Program

Professional Experiences

Externship at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital
- Summer 2021
Externship at Superior Therapy Services, Inc.
- Fall 2020
Graduate clinician at the Bolesta Center
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing populations
- Spring 2021
Graduate clinician at USF
- Aphasia Assisted Conversation Group
- USF ALS Center
- Fall 2019-Summer 2020
Behavior Therapist at Beacon ABA Services
- 2015-2018
ABA Paraprofessional at Holliston School District
- 2016-2017

Credentials

Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Florida Department of Health Speech Language Pathology License

Certifications/Training

Parkinson Voice Project Speak Out! Training
Modified Barium Swallowing Impairment Profile (MBSImP) Training
Basic Life Support (CPR + AED)
HIV/AIDS: A Mini Course
- Consultants for the Future
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Achievements

2021 Parkinson Voice Project grant recipient through South Tampa Voice Therapy
2019 Genshaft/Greenbaum Passport Scholarship recipient

Other Experiences

Member of Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Teaching Assistant at USF in Communication Sciences & Disorders Department

Grace Montgomery

Ma, MS, CF/SLP

Clinical Fellow Speech Pathologist

She/Her/Hers

Hello! My name is Grace, I am a classically trained singer and voice teacher. I became interested in clinical rehabilitation of vocal disorders as a voice student in my undergrad, when all the singing students were provided free voice evaluations as part of the training of Speech-Language Pathology students. I was fascinated watching my own vocal folds move under the scope as I used my voice, and it has been my goal since to someday be able to evaluate and treat vocal disorders to help people with vocal difficulties use their voice with freedom and ease. As a singer I have performed as both a chorus member and soloist in professional opera companies, choruses, and churches; and as a voice teacher I have taught children and adults to use their voices to their fullest potential to communicate the emotion and beauty of each song. I hope to use my knowledge and experience as a singer to help people with all types of vocal difficulties learn to use their voice to their fullest potential.

Education

M.S. in Speech Pathology, USF 2023
M.A. in Music - Vocal Performance, UCF 2013
B.M. in Vocal Performance, UCF 2011

Professional Experiences

Externship at Advent Health Voice and Swallow Center, Spring 2023
Externship with Hillsborough Public Schools, Fall 2022
Group Speak OUT! Facilitator
Graduate Clinician, USF ALS Clinic and USF Speech-Language Clinic

Credentials

Florida Department of Health Provisional Speech Language Pathology License

Certifications/Training

Parkinson Voice Project Speak Out! Training
Modified Barium Swallowing Impairment Profile (MBSImP) Training
Basic Life Support (CPR + AED)
HIV/AIDS: A Mini Course
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Opera Roles

Opera Roles:

Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute, Marguerite from Faust, The Aunt from Madama Butterfly, Lucia from Lucia di Lammermoor, Donna Anna from Don Giovanni, Alice Fordfrom The Merry Wives of Windsor, Rosalinda from Die Fledermaus, Sister Sophia from The Sound of Music, Sandmanfrom Hansel and Gretel.

Other Experiences

Cantor, Featured Soloist, and Soprano Section Leader - St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Orlando, Fl.
Cantor, Featured Soloist, and Soprano Section Leader - St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, St Cloud, Fl.
V.O.I.C.E.xperience with Sherrill Milnes at Opera Tampa Scholarship Winner 2010

Kristin Carlton

Licensed practical nurse

Clinical Coordinator

She/Her/Hers

Hello, my name is Kristin. I am the Clinical Coordinator for South Tampa Voice Therapy. I started my career in the medical field because I have always had a fascination with the disease processes of the human body. I have been in this field for almost twenty years working in various types of practices including OB/GYN, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, general surgery, otolaryngology, and primary care before my position at South Tampa Voice Therapy. As my career has progressed, I have shifted from the clinical aspect to the administrative aspect because my knowledge on the clinical side has given me a broader base on understanding insurances and compliance guidelines at the federal and state level.

Professional Experiences