Home > About Us > Clinical Staff

Clinical Staff

Alice C. Wilson, Au.D., ABA Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
Director of Audiology

Dr. Wilson joined the Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing team in August 2009. She received her Masters of Communication Disorders in Audiology from The Callier Center, University of Texas at Dallas in 1987, and was awarded her Doctorate in Audiology from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona in 2005. She brings with her more than 22 years of experience as an audiologist serving the hearing impaired in a variety or professions environments which include her own private practice and prominent ear nose and throat practices in Dallas, Texas.

She is excited to be Director of Audiology at Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing as her first experience working with a non-for profit clinic. She has particular interest and expertise in the field of aural rehabilitation, particularly in fitting hearing aids. "With the continual refinement of the micro-chip in hearing aid technology we are seeing patient success with hearing aids like never before. "No longer do I have to tell my patients they might not be able to hear in noisy areas or on the telephone automatically! What a God send!" Moving to Falls Church, Virginia with her husband in January, 2009 she lives with her husband, four cats and a chocolate Labrador retriever. She and her husband of 27 years, have a 19 year old daughter who is studying Industrial Engineering. Dr. Wilson states that "Living life to its fullest, loving and enjoying every moment is my goal for myself, my family and my patients".

Picture coming soon Kristin M.A. Palen, OTR/L
Director of Therapeutic Services

Kristin is a certified and licensed occupational therapist who graduated from Boston University with a degree in occupational therapy. Kristin has worked solely with a pediatric population. She has an array of experience in a variety of settings. Kristin has worked in a pediatric rehabilitation hospital, a school and residential setting for medically involved children, and a private practice setting. Kristin has extensive experience working with the following pediatric populations experiencing: sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, complex medical disorders, Down Syndrome, hypotonia, traumatic brain injuries, fine motor and gross motor delays, and dyspraxia.

Kristin has taken continuing education courses and is trained in the following areas: sensory integration, neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), fine motor and handwriting, Relationship Developmental Intervention (RDI), autism spectrum interventions, and aquatic therapy. Kristin is also a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Mae Carlson M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Pathologist

Mae Carlson is a certified and licensed speech language pathologist. She completed both her Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Speech Language Pathology at James Madison University. Mae carries a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Pathology from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and has received extensive training from one of the field's top professionals in the area of fluency. Her other areas of interest include early intervention, along with articulation and language disorders in pediatric populations.

Trinity Costic M.S., CF-SLP
Speech Pathologist

Trinity joined Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center in December 2008. She received both her Masters Degree and Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from James Madison University. Trinity is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is currently in the process of ASHA certification. She enjoys working with people of all ages exhibiting a wide variety of communication and swallowing disorders, with particular interest for communication difficulties related to developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Michelle Garrett, Au.D., CCC-A
Audiologist

Dr. Garrett earned her Doctorate of Audiology from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. She works with all levels of hearing aid technology from conventional to 100% digital. Dr. Garrett is proficient in both pediatric and adult hearing assessment as well as hearing aid dispensing for individuals of all ages. Her professional affiliations include being a member of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and having her Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She also has her hearing aid dispensers license as well as certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia in Audiology.

Teresa Tupaj
Audiology Technician/Front Office Staff

Teresa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Michigan in
1983. After receiving her degree, she relocated to Florida and worked in the banking industry in the automated
clearinghouse division where she monitored and serviced accounts receiving pension and social security
payments. In 1995, she moved with her family to Virginia. Teresa currently serves as an Audiology Technician and works in the front office of Blue Ridge Speech & Hearing.