Audiologists
HASA's audiologists provide adult and pediatric services that range from comprehensive hearing evaluations to cochlear implant candidacy evaluations. We offer customized hearing protection, as well as hearing aid evaluations, selections, and repairs.
Aliyah Khalifa
Audiology Assistant
Aliyah joined our team in July of 2020. She moved to Baltimore from South Jersey to study Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Towson University. Aliyah has been working in patient care since 2016 and loves connecting with patients and witnessing their joy after they get acquainted with their new devices. When Aliyah has free time, she enjoys cooking, playing tennis, roller skating, and spending time with family.
Speech, Language & Hearing Health
Our speech-language pathologists and audiologists are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and are licensed by the Maryland Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers & Speech-Language Pathologists.
Sara F. Semesky, MS Ed, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sara's clinical experience includes assessment and treatment for children and adults with articulation/phonology, expressive and receptive language, fluency, vocal health and hygiene, gender-affirming communication, and social/pragmatic goals. Sara received her Master’s of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology from Old Dominion University and her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, with a minor in Psychology from Towson University.
Christine Wandishin, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Christine's clinical experience includes assessment and treatment for children with articulation/phonology, expressive and receptive language, fluency, pre-literacy, and social/pragmatic goals. She received her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, with a minor in Psychology from Towson University.
John M. Sloan, CCC-SLP, Fellow/ASHA
Speech-Language Pathologist
John is a speech-language pathologist with 30 years of professional experience in public schools, university, and clinical settings. John is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a Board Certified Specialist in the treatment of stuttering. He has presented over 100 professional workshops and has taught college-level courses in speech-language pathology and special education at Loyola and Villa Julie colleges.
Occupational Therapy
Through “targeted play,” we help children develop the skills needed to carry out their daily living activities. Our occupational therapists are licensed by the state of Maryland and certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
Galya Elbaum, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Galya treats children with developmental delays, physical disabilities, and sensory processing disorders. She provides direct therapy to the children as well as training for their parents to ensure the carry-over of learned skills to the home setting. provides outpatient occupational therapy services to children ages 0-18. She also provides occupational therapy services to children in the Gateway school. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Brandeis University and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University.
Clinic Administration
Olga D. Polites, M.S., CCC-SLP
Director, Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Health Services
Olga oversees all audiology, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services at HASA. She graduated from Loyola College in Maryland and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology. She then earned her Master's Degree in Speech Pathology from Loyola College and subsequently began her career working for the Baltimore City Public School System until joining HASA in 1983.
Nyya Etheredge-Anderson, B.B.A, A.B.A, NCMA
Practice Manager
Nyya has over 18 years of experience in the healthcare administration and clinical fields. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration at UMBC and her Associate of Science degree in Business Management from Catonsville Community College. Nyya is now pursuing her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Purdue Global University.