Faculty & Staff
P. Ashley Wackym, MD
John C. Koss Professor and Chairman
Koss Cochlear Implant Program
Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Science
Medical Director
Otologist and Neuro-otologic Skull Base Surgeon
Dr. Wackym is an internationally known researcher and clinical specialist in hearing and balance disorders as well as otologic surgery.
Upon coming to the Medical College of Wisconsin, he has built the cochlear implant program into a nationally recognized center, both for its strong clinical services and its research component.
Dr. Wackym's clinical emphasis is on cochlear implantation, auditory brainstem implantation, aural atresia and microtia repair, hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery, removal of complex tumors of the skull base, and vestibular disorders.
Dr. Wackym is experienced with both children and adult cochlear implants as well as all the currently available cochlear implant devices, including bilateral cochlear implantation and the auditory brainstem implant. His research is presently funded by grants from the NIH and the cochlear implant manufacturers.
David R. Friedland, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Koss Cochlear Implant Program
Otologist and Neuro-otologic Skull Base Surgeion
Dr. Friedland has specialized training in surgery for hearing restoration including the placement of cochlear implants, bone-anchored aids, brainstem implants, and implantable hearing aids.
He also has an extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of balance and vestibular disorders including Meniere's disease, vestibular migraine, and superior canal dehiscence.
Dr. Friedland's clinical emphasis is on surgical rehabilitation of hearing loss in the adult population and the diagnosis and management of vestibular disorders.
He also maintains a research program studying the molecular biology and neuroanatomy of the auditory brainstem.
Christina L. Runge-Samuelson, PhD
Assistant Professor and Co-Director
Koss Cochlea Implant Program
Co-Director, Audiologist, & Scientist
Dr. Runge-Samuelson graduated from the University of Iowa receiving her Bachelor's degree in 1993, Master's degree in 1996, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Audiology in 2002. In addition to co-directing the cochlear implant program since 2005, Chris is actively performing her own research and oversees the cochlear implant clinical trials.
Linda S. Burg, AuD, CCC-A
Audiologist
Coordinator, Koss Cochlear Implant Program
Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Sciences
Dr. Burg graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1982 and her Master's degree in Audiology from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1984. She came to the Medical College in 1986. Linda received her Clinical Doctorate from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2002.
Although Linda has experience with both children and adults, she works primarily with adults in the implant program. Linda has extensive clinical experience and also provides some support to the Audiology/Otology Clinic.
Karla A. Balko, MS, CCC-A
Audiologist
Koss Cochlear Implant Program
Ms. Balko graduated from Purdue University in 1985 with a Masters of Science in Audiology and from Northern Arizona University in 1983 with a Bachelors of Science in Speech Language Pathology.
Ms. Balko has practiced for 19 years as a certified clinical audiologist and 15 years of experience in cochlear implants for both pediatric and adult recipients. She has spoken locally and nationally on various topics regarding cochlear implants and participated in course instruction at the university level. Currently she works primarily with children, their families, educators, and therapists. She enjoys being part of a team approach to optimize each child's journey through the discovery of life's sounds.
Sarah E. Drake, MS, CCC-A
Audiologist
Koss Cochlear Implant Program
Sarah graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Master's degree in Audiology. Prior to joining the Medical College of Wisconsin, she worked with the cochlear implant teams at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Sarah is pleased to use her clinical and research background from these two programs here at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Jamie W. Jensen, AuD, CCC-A
Audiologist
Koss cochlear Implant Program
Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Sciences
Jamie graduated in May, 2006 from Vanderbilt University with a Clinical Doctorate of Audiology. Prior to joining the Medical College, she completed a year-long internship at Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE.
Her main areas of interest are adult and pediatric cochlear implantation as well as the relationship between genetics and hearing loss. Jamie is excited to use her knowledge and clinical skills in working with the cochlear implant team.
Dionne C. Langley, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Master Family Speech & Hearing Center
Dione received her undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and her graduate degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
She has worked in the school system, outpatient clinics, and a birth-three program. She has pediatric experience with all ages in both diagnostics and therapy.
Her strengths are working closely with families, caregivers, and other health and school staff to provide the best opportunity for each child to succeed.
Jaye Berghauer, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Master Family Speech & Hearing Center
Jaye received her degree in Communicative Disorders – Speech Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has worked in the Milwaukee area since 1985 and has experience both within the school system as well as outpatient clinics.
Jaye also works with children of all ages, involving their families, caregivers, and other health and school staff to help each child meet his or her potential.
Mary Brawley, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Communication and Swallowing Disorders Center
Mary Brawley is the Program Manager for the Center for Communication and Swallowing Disorders
section of the Otolaryngology Department at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Mary has over 30 years of
experience in the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with communication impairments and is the newest member of the cochlear implant team.
Karen Knopf, M. Ed.
Auditory/Oral Early Childhood Teacher
Karen graduated with a communication disorders major from Truman State University and a masters in Deaf Education from Portland Oregon. In 2002, she accepted her position as auditory/oral early childhood teacher in Waukesha, WI. Her responsibilities include helping educators throughout the state grow in their knowledge of teaching children with cochlear implants. To enhance her abilities, Karen completed in 2004 the Educational Consultant Training Program from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Robert L. Schum, PhD
Associate Professor/Pediatric Psychologist
Department of Pediatric Child Development
Dr. Schum began working with children who have hearing loss in 1977 and with children receiving cochlear implants in the late 80's.
Bob has published extensively in nationally known professional journals dealing with the topic of communication disorders. He has specific expertise in psychoeducational testing of children with communication disorders, including hearing loss, and is a valuable resource to families as well as the implant team.
Fran Thalke, ACSW, CICSW
Social Worker
Department of Family Sevices
Fran is a Social Worker with more than 25 years experience providing social work services to parents of children with special needs in the Milwaukee Public Schools and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
She obtained her Bachelor's degree from Purdue University and her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Fran has been a member of the cochlear implant team since 1995.
Tammy J. Schumacher-Monfre, MSN, APNP
Advance Practice Nurse Prescriber
Koss Cochlear Implant Program
Tammy graduated with a Master's degree as an advanced nurse practitioner in 1998 and ahs extensive experience in medical/surgical education. She specializes in medical management issues and came to the Medical College in 1999 to work with Dr. Wackym.
Tammy is involved with patients during the pre-implant evaluation as well as the post-surgical follow-up. She is an excellent resource for patients with medical questions related to their cochlear implants.
Jane L. Kellerman
Administrative Assistant
Koss Cochlear Implant PRogram
Jane began employment at the Medical College in 1999. She provides support for the day-to-day operation of the cochlear implant program. It is appropriate to contact Jane for Cochlear Implant Information packets, equipment needs and scheduling of appointments. If you are not sure whom to contact, Jane can direct you to the right person. She can be contacted at the numbers and e-mail address below.
Pediatric Patients: 414.266.2685
Adult Patients: 414.805.5586