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.
Rachael Purcel, Au.D.
Audiologist
Dr. Purcel received her bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology with a minor in disability studies at Miami University in Ohio. She received both her master's degree in hearing, speech, and language sciences and her Doctor of Audiology at Galluadet University. In addition, she completed her final year residency at an Arizona private practice. Dr. Purcel enjoys helping people of all ages hear and live their best and is working to bring cochlear implant services to our clinic.
Elena Scarano, Au.D.
Audiologist
Dr. Scarano received her bachelor's degree in speech-language hearing sciences with a minor in special education at Loyola University Maryland, where she also played Division I volleyball. She received her clinical doctorate in Audiology at Montclair State University and completed a residency at Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. Scarano's deep passion for hearing wellness extends to both pediatric and adult hearing health, including diagnostics and hearing aids.
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.
Christine Smith, 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
Olga oversees all 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.
Elizabeth Johnson
Practice Manager