Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Saltarrelli.
Michelle , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always seen myself owning my own business like my dad. Therefore, I became dually certified as an audiologist AND speech pathologist. I knew that offering more than one service would increase the probability of success while allowing me to be a well rounded, unique professional. Upon the completion of my residency, I loved my first job at a nonprofit cochlear implant clinic. Building my career there, became my priority. I was very happy raising my two baby boys and working part-time. I loved that job and the team making my new focus future director of the clinic. My Plan A, of building my own practice, was quickly turning into a Plan B or Plan N for “never”.
Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on how one looks at it), the nonprofit clinic was not awarded a large grant resulting in a March 2012 layoff. I had to leave that position and look for new work. It was a heartbreaking experience, but not the end of my career only the beginning of a new journey. After interviewing with other companies, I realized that I had the experience and credentials to build my own practice. So I completed several months of market analysis, health insurance credentialing and opened the door to Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing November 1, 2012, in Friendswood, TX. Honestly, if I was not laid off my practice would not have existed today. As Helen Keller shared in my VERY loose paraphrase, “we will lose some of the joys in life we continue to look back on the door that had to close instead of looking for the newly opened window!” So I fully embraced my new adventure with both hands and all I had within me!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As a provider for all the major health insurance companies, which I often refer to as “organized crime”, it’s never a smooth road. Payments do not have to be remitted to the doctors for up to 30 to 120 days later after the claim is submitted and accepted!! The month to four-month wait is non-negotiable, but with health insurance what is?? In the meantime, payroll, rent, cost-of-goods etc… need to be paid. It can be a nail-biting experience!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing – what should we know?
Dr. Michelle Saltarrelli is known for being the most educated and credentialed hearing and speech healthcare professional within the community. Less than 1% of colleagues within the state of Texas hold dual certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Dr. Saltarrelli is passionate about her fields which results in continuous learning and growth for herself as well as for the local university students she teaches. Dr. Saltarrelli has been invited to lecture at national conferences to her fellow colleagues and was recently voted the best audiologist in Friendswood and Pearland.
Autumn Oak Speech, Voice and Hearing is unique because we offer audiology, speech pathology, and accent reduction services. We serve patients from Texas and Louisiana, due to Dr. Saltarrelli’s credentials and expertise. Autumn Oak collaborates with all the major hearing aid manufacturers and cochlear implant manufactures of the world. Hearing is a precious gift when you are born with it and should be valued and preserved. We help you hear again to live life, with all of its communicative activities, to the fullest! In regards to speech pathology, we work with a multitude of disorders and diseases for ALL ages including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, swallowing disorders, food/feeding aversions, Autism, speech apraxia, and stuttering. Due to the vast array of diagnoses we treat, Autumn Oak has become an educational site for students in Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the local university.
We are proud to be able to help our fellow community members succeed in their hearing and speech goals while also shaping future professionals. It is our pleasure to offer hearing and speech healthcare through your health insurance coverage and not be an additional cost to you. Accepting your health insurance coverage, and Dr. Saltarrelli’s credentials are what sets Autumn Oak Speech, Voice and Hearing apart from the rest. However, if you are not able to see Dr. Saltarrelli she recommends that you see an audiologist who works with SEVERAL hearing aids and cochlear implant manufacturers as well as ACCEPTS health insurance. If you need a speech therapist, ensure that they have experience treating your diagnosis and age range as well as enrolled as an insurance provider. Please be aware that there will be cases when health insurance does not allow coverage. Therefore, become an expert on your own health insurance coverage and know what to expect. Ask those questions, because knowledge is empowering!!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Credit must go to Jennifer Dean, Office Manager, Sheri Sheehan, Chief Administrator, and Ann Roach, SLP-A. Without their amazing talents and skill, Autumn Oak would not be where it is at today! They have been with me since inception or close to inception and they are Autumn Oak to me. They have given me the greatest gift of treating Autumn Oak as their own and helping provide the best service. Those women are my work family!
In regards to business, my mentor to this day is Gary Bucek with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. He helped me with market analysis and getting off the ground with the clinic. He has prepared me for both professional obstacles as well as the personal ones which come with being a business owner
Pricing:
- Military Discounts
- Student Discounts
Contact Info:
- Address: 699 S. Friendswood Dr.
Suite 104 Friendswood, TX 77546 - Website: www.speechhearingtherapy.com
- Phone: 281-816-3067
- Email: support@speechhearingtherapy.com
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/autumn-oak-speech-voice-and-hearing-friendswood
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
