Staff | Testimonials
 
 
 

Melissa Jakubowitz
Melissa began Jakubowitz Associates in 1987 as a sole practitioner. As the practice grew and more speech-language pathologists were hired, she moved from Hayward to Castro Valley where she has been since 1991. Melissa received her bachelors degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Oregon and her masters from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. She began her career working in the public schools, and then became the first director of the Scottish Rite Institute for Childhood Language in Stockton. After a few years in Stockton, Melissa returned to the Bay Area where she has remained ever since. Except for 9 months of her long career, Melissa has worked exclusively with children. She has experience working with individuals with a wide variety of disorders including central auditory processing, language delays, phonological and articulation delays, autism, etc. Melissa loves working with children and regularly attends continuing education courses to keep up to date on recent developments in the field in order to ensure that she and her staff can provide the best and highest quality therapy. She is a member of ASHA, CSHA, CEC. She also is a Board Recognized Specialist in Child Language.

Adrienne Wroebel
Adrienne joined Jakubowitz Associates in late 2004. She graduated from the University of the Pacific with her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Adrienne has experience working with children with a variety of disorders and enjoys working with children from preschool through high school. She joined Jakubowitz Associates when she graduated from UOP. Adrienne currently is based in the Castro Valley office. She is licensed by the State of California and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA. Adrienne is a member of CSHA and ASHA.

Barbara Dudgeon
Barbara is a graduate of the University of the Pacific and joined Jakubowitz Associates in early 2005. She has experience working with children from 2 years through high school age. She is wonderful with children and enjoys being part of the Jakubowitz Associates team. Barbara is based in our San Ramon office. She is a member of ASHA and CSHA; she has her state license and her CCC from ASHA.

Poorani Doonan
Poorani joined Jakubowitz Associates in 2006. She came to us from a local school district where she worked with preschool children with a variety of speech and language disorders. Poorani holds her State License, her CCC from ASHA as well as a credential to work in the public schools. Poorani currently works full time: two days a week in the San Ramon office and three days per week in Castro Valley. Poorani is a member of CSHA and ASHA.

Mary Frances Barranti
Mary Frances joined us in 2005 when she retired from a local school district after a long career as a speech-language pathologist and an administrator. She has experience with the preschool age and school age population and thoroughly enjoys working with the preschool age group. She holds her state license and CCC from ASHA as well as a school credential. Mary Frances provides home based services to children in the Brentwood, Discovery Bay area.

Allison Aslin-Williams
Allison joined Jakubowitz Associates in 1996. She graduated from California State University, Hayward with her masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Prior to returning to school for her master’s degree, Allison taught high school English in Livermore and Berkeley. Allison enjoys working with preschool and school age children. She is a member of ASHA and CSHA.  Allison works part-time for Jakubowitz Associates and provides home-based services to our clients in the Livermore area.