Meet Our Staff
Gwen Fowler-Berken
MS CCC-SLP
Gwen is a nationally certified Speech and Language Pathologist and holds licensure in North Carolina and Georgia. She completed her Master’s degree at the University of Texas – Dallas in 1998. She has worked as a Rehab Manager and Clinical Speech and Language Pathologist. She has enjoyed working in multiple settings including acute hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics, long term care settings, and public schools.
She specializes in expressive and receptive communication delays and disorders, speech delays and disorders, cognitive deficits, swallowing disorders, voice and fluency disorders. She has several years’ experience in working with neurogenic, pathological and psychogenic disorders as well as developmental disorders. She enjoys treating people with communication, cognitive and/or swallowing difficulties to increase their ability to communicate their wants, needs and ideas; assure the highest level of cognitive abilities which increases safety awareness/memory in their activities and extends their independence in daily tasks; and to assure people are on the least restrictive diet via treatment and diet analysis which reduces the risk of pneumonia and dehydration. She is LSVT and Vital Stim certified. Specific areas of expertise include Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and other progressive diseases, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Vocal Diseases and Disorders and children with speech and language developmental delays or disorders such as cleft palate, apraxia and autism.
Melissa Curtis
MS CCC-SLP
Melissa is a nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist and attended Western Carolina University for both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Melissa has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 33 years and has spent most of that time working in the School System. Melissa also has experience in private practice, home health, adult day services, and nursing homes. Melissa has served on the program advisory board for WCU's Communication Sciences and Disorders program, the board of directors for Macon Tracs, as a member of the Autism Coaching and Autism Diagnostics teams in Macon County Schools. Melissa has extensive training in services for children diagnosed with Autism, as well as, PECS training. Melissa has lived in Franklin for 30 years, and has been married to her husband Joey for 29 years. Melissa has two children who also live in Franklin and beloved grand-dogs. Melissa enjoys camping, going to the Beach, and engaging in Summer activities.
Lily Brown
SLP- Assistant
Lily is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders with a minor in Special Education. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Speech Language Pathologist-Assistant License in North Carolina. She is very passionate about helping individuals learn how to communicate well and confidently find their voice! In her free time, Lily loves to spend time with her husband and her miniature poodle Mack. She also enjoys thrift shopping, hiking, & baking!
Loretta Mauro
MS CCC-SLP
Loretta is a nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist and holds licensure in North Carolina and Georgia. She completed her Master’s degree at Nova Southeastern University Davie, Florida in 1994. Loretta received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Music Education from Boca Raton, Florida in 1984. Loretta served as an elementary school music teacher in Broward County, Florida for ten years prior to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. She has enjoyed working in multiple settings including acute care hospitals, schools, daycares, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Loretta lives on a small farm where she enjoys being surrounded by nature and caring for her many animals.
Maria Tallent
MS CCC-SLP
Maria Tallent was raised here in Franklin. She attended ASU and WCU for undergrad and WCU for grad school. She has been a SLP for 28 years. During her career, she has worked in the school system and at the nursing home. She loves interacting and helping people communicate. Her children are the light of her life (all 6 of them). She has 2 dachshunds that keep her on my toes. She loves spending time with God and her family, anything with pigs, remodeling her house and traveling. Her favorite holiday is Summer.
Fun fact: She is also a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialist, so she can teach kids how to read Braille and travel with a cane.
Leticsha Elkins
MS CF-SLP
Leticsha is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Leticsha enjoys working with individuals across the lifespan and has experience working in various clinical settings including skilled nursing, outpatient clinics, schools, and private practice. Leticsha is from Waynesville, NC and in her free time she loves to bake and spend time with her two cats- Baby and Douglas.
Jennifer Moorhead
Occupational Therapist
Jennifer is a nationally registered and licensed OT in both North
Carolina and Georgia. She graduated from Brenau University in
Gainesville, Georgia in 2001 with both her Master’s and Bachelor's
degrees in Occupational Therapy. Jennifer has worked in multiple
settings in her 24+ years of experience including outpatient,
inpatient, school systems, SNFs, home health, early intervention,
private practice, and traveled as a contract therapist. Jennifer
spent 12 years owning her own business and specialized in children
with autism, sensory integration disorders, developmental delays,
prematurity, behavior disorders, motor planning deficits, and visual
perceptual/motor delays. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys reading,
spending time with her family, gardening, traveling, making all
things sourdough, playing with her dog Clyde, and planning her next
beach vacation.
Sara Best
COTA
Sara graduated for southwestern community college in May of 2021 with a associate degree in occupational therapy services. She is licensed nationally and in the state of North Carolina. In her free time she spend it with her son and parents. She enjoys 4 wheeling, riding motorcycles, farming, and crafting.
Nicole Rogers
Office Manager/Receptionist
Nicole is our Office Manager and obtained her Associate's of Health Information Technology from Southwestern Community College. Nicole has many years of experience working with the public and has the expertise to ensure a great visit to our office for our clients each and every time. Nicole also has the necessary communication and listening skills to guarantee that each client’s needs are met effectively. In her free time, Nicole enjoys being with her two children, hiking, reading, and baking.
Candice Queen
Office Supervisor
Candice is the Office Supervisor and previously worked for Gwen’s Speech Therapy as the Office Manager. After taking time off to attend school, Candice has come back to the office in a new role. Candice has many years of working with the public and has a passion for helping others. Candice takes pride in ensuring that every day is the best day at the office for clients and clinicians. In her free time, Candice enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking and trying new things.