Committed to Improving the Lives of People of All Ages with Hearing and Communication Challenges
History
The roots of what is now the Marion Downs Center began in 1918 when the Denver League of Hard-of-Hearing began providing community support to individuals with hearing loss. In 2015, the Marion Downs Hearing Center merged with the Center for Hearing, Speech, and Language to become the Marion Downs Center (MDC). The MDC's extraordinary legacy was built through enriching people's lives by providing innovative, caring and high-quality services for people with barriers to communication regardless of financial status. The MDC is truly community based and relies on generous support from organizations, foundations, donors, and community partners.
Success Stories
"The Marion Downs Center is great! They are the first place to really help me with my hearing in 55+ years".
- J.W.
"Thank you for all your help at a less than optimal time in my life! Fitting hearing aids post surgery was a bit crazy, but we succeeded! Your expertise in Audiology has not only improved my hearing remarkably, but very importantly, my quality of life. I thank you, as do the people with whom I come in contact, as I can now hear what they're saying the first time! What a concept! You are a true expert in your field, and a very pleasant person with whom to work."
- C Carroll
"The staff and curriculum at Marion's Way use best practices for educating the DHH as well as doing research on ways for continuous improvement. They held classes for the parents to teach us skills techniques, and approaches to use at home and in the community. The information we learned is invaluable and Connor's language, social skills, and communication showed significant improvement."
- Annie Mason
"Chase has attended Marion's Way Preschool two summers in a row. He continues to make huge strides in his education, has now been mainstreamed in public kindergarten and doing very well. Without the support, guidance and expertise from Marion's Way, Chase would not be where he is today! Today, Chase is a typical, happy, smart outgoing and socially curious 5 year old who just happens to be hard of hearing."
- Cynthia Monson
"My daughter is learning her letters and her numbers in the Early Language Literacy Program. She also knows her colors. She is very happy taking the class and her English is getting better like her older brothers, who also participated in the program and are now fluent in English and in elementary school. She is learning to get along with other children, it is a big help for us. She watches her brothers do homework and wants to do some too. It is a big help. We are very happy you can do this."
- Father of an Early Language Literacy Program Participant
"I was born with Shpritzen Syndrome and gradually my hearing kept getting worse. I had trouble understanding what was on the TV, hearing the doorbell, and other everyday things most people take for granted. It was a true miracle that Marion Downs granted me a gift of hearing aids. I totally love them and everything seems like a new world. They helped give me a new life!"
- April Kauffmann
"I have had my hearing aids for a month now and can't believe how life-changing the ability to hear so clearly is," I don't have to have the TV loudly blaring. I don't have to always ask people to repeat what they have said. I have lived in such a muted world for so long and now I can hear birds, crickets, and my kids talking clearly to me."
- Gayla Greenfield
Changing Lives
Chimie was 6 years old with bilateral severe-profound hearing loss when she began receiving audiology and speech services from the Marion Downs Center. Her hearing aids were not programmed to meet her needs; she had little interest in communication and it was challenging to keep her attention. According to her father, "The improvement in Chimie's communication and behavior is life changing. You have been a strong advocate for her needs and taught us the strategies we needed to ensure her success. We will be forever grateful."
Equipped with bilateral hearing aids, "sugar plum" sparkle earmolds, an FM system, and strategies to optimize her auditory, speech, and literacy skills, Chimie is exceeding expectations at home and in school.
Christina is a thoughtful and kindhearted 5-year-old who struggled to understand speech in everyday life and in school. MDC audiologists diagnosed her mild hearing loss at the age of 4 and fit her pink hearing aids shortly after.
Through the Marion's Way Preschool program, Christina and her family implemented strategies to help Christina maximize her auditory, speech, and literacy skills. Christina is now using a Roger system to improve hearing access in background noise and is thriving at home and school. Her speech and language development continues to improve by leaps and bounds. She is bright, compassionate, and loving to all and is a huge Rockies fan. Your support helps children like Christina grow to their full potential!
Marion's Way Preschool 2019
Service Event: Colorado Symphony
Meet Our Team
Our compassionate team of professionals are dedicated to the provision of exceptional service that changes lives.
Carolina Aranis, M.D.
Kid Screen Team Member
Maeline Barnstable is the Director of Screening and Speech-Language Outreach at the Marion Downs Center. She received her BS in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois, where she was on the Dean’s List, and her MA in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston. She has almost 20 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and administrator. Maeline is a nationally certified member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She is also a member of the Colorado Speech Language Hearing Association, volunteering as the ASHA Continuing Education administrator from 2008-2012. She was accepted into ASHA’s Leadership Development Program for Emerging Leaders in 2014. Maeline sits on several Health Advisory Committees for various Early Head Start and Head Start programs in metro Denver. She has worked with adults with speech-language and swallowing disorders, as well as neurological impairments. She has also worked with preschool and elementary students with developmental delays as well as speech and language problems. Maeline has provided in-service training for healthcare staff, preschool staff and the general public regarding communication development and flags for referral. She likes directing the screening program to identify educationally significant obstacles to learning such as hearing, vision or speech-language problems. She wants all children to have maximum success in school and believes screening is the first step towards that goal.
Maeline Barnstable is the Director of Screening and Speech-Language Outreach at the Marion Downs Center. She received her BS in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois, where she was on the Dean’s List, and her MA in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston. She has almost 20 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and administrator. Maeline is a nationally certified member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She is also a member of the Colorado Speech Language Hearing Association, volunteering as the ASHA Continuing Education administrator from 2008-2012. She was accepted into ASHA’s Leadership Development Program for Emerging Leaders in 2014. Maeline sits on several Health Advisory Committees for various Early Head Start and Head Start programs in metro Denver. She has worked with adults with speech-language and swallowing disorders, as well as neurological impairments. She has also worked with preschool and elementary students with developmental delays as well as speech and language problems. Maeline has provided in-service training for healthcare staff, preschool staff and the general public regarding communication development and flags for referral. She likes directing the screening program to identify educationally significant obstacles to learning such as hearing, vision or speech-language problems. She wants all children to have maximum success in school and believes screening is the first step towards that goal.
Speech-Language Pathologist | Director, KidScreen
Emory Bratton is an Audiology Fellow, working to complete the final year of her Doctor of Audiology degree. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas and later attended Texas Tech University for her undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Emory enjoys serving both children and adults and helping them communicate and engage successfully with hearing loss. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, and skiing with her fiancé and two dogs.
Emory Bratton is an Audiology Fellow, working to complete the final year of her Doctor of Audiology degree. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas and later attended Texas Tech University for her undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Emory enjoys serving both children and adults and helping them communicate and engage successfully with hearing loss. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, and skiing with her fiancé and two dogs.
Audiology Fellow
Sandra Abbott Gabbard, PhD is the President/CEO of the Marion Downs Center and has over 30 years of experience as an audiologist, administrator and professor. She continues to practice audiology as well as teach and mentor audiology students. Dr. Gabbard has a PhD in Audiology and has extensive clinical experience diagnosing hearing challenges in children and adults and supporting their technology needs. She has published and presented extensively in the areas of infant hearing assessment, pediatric amplification and communication access. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and adjunct faculty in the Speech, Language, Hearing Science Department at the University of Colorado. Working closely with individuals and their families provides Dr. Gabbard with continual inspiration.
Sandra Abbott Gabbard, PhD is the President/CEO of the Marion Downs Center and has over 30 years of experience as an audiologist, administrator and professor. She continues to practice audiology as well as teach and mentor audiology students. Dr. Gabbard has a PhD in Audiology and has extensive clinical experience diagnosing hearing challenges in children and adults and supporting their technology needs. She has published and presented extensively in the areas of infant hearing assessment, pediatric amplification and communication access. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and adjunct faculty in the Speech, Language, Hearing Science Department at the University of Colorado. Working closely with individuals and their families provides Dr. Gabbard with continual inspiration.
Clinical Audiologist | President/CEO
Cindy Gladden is the KidScreen coordinator for the KidScreen Program and Billing Specialist for the Audiology Clinic and has been with the company since 2005. She was trained as a medical assistant and served as a medical specialist in the military. She served 4 years in military hospitals and field units. After the military, she was a childcare professional serving infants and preschoolers. Prior to joining KidScreen, she spent seven years as a volunteer vision screener in a local school district.
Cindy Gladden is the KidScreen coordinator for the KidScreen Program and Billing Specialist for the Audiology Clinic and has been with the company since 2005. She was trained as a medical assistant and served as a medical specialist in the military. She served 4 years in military hospitals and field units. After the military, she was a childcare professional serving infants and preschoolers. Prior to joining KidScreen, she spent seven years as a volunteer vision screener in a local school district.
Coordinator, KidScreen
Dr. Caleb Kronen is the Director of the Hearing Conservation Program and a clinical audiologist who specializes in hearing healthcare for musicians and audio engineers. He oversees the hearing health of over 300 industrial companies. Dr. Kronen worked for six years in the Hearing Research Laboratory at the University of Colorado conducting research on music-induced hearing loss, signal processing of music in hearing aids, and psychoacoustics. As a member on the executive council of the National Hearing Conservation Association, he has worked to provide educational material for audiologists and technicians in the field of occupational hearing conservation. Having been a touring musician and professional audio engineer himself, Dr. Kronen is passionate about providing outstanding care for people in the music industry and patients with noise-induced hearing loss.
Dr. Caleb Kronen is the Director of the Hearing Conservation Program and a clinical audiologist who specializes in hearing healthcare for musicians and audio engineers. He oversees the hearing health of over 300 industrial companies. Dr. Kronen worked for six years in the Hearing Research Laboratory at the University of Colorado conducting research on music-induced hearing loss, signal processing of music in hearing aids, and psychoacoustics. As a member on the executive council of the National Hearing Conservation Association, he has worked to provide educational material for audiologists and technicians in the field of occupational hearing conservation. Having been a touring musician and professional audio engineer himself, Dr. Kronen is passionate about providing outstanding care for people in the music industry and patients with noise-induced hearing loss.
Clinical Audiologist
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Clinical Audiologist
Lynne Lyons is the Chief Operating Officer. Lynne has a Masters in Public Administration and has worked in the non-profit healthcare sector for over 25 years. Lynne has significant hearing loss, so the mission of the Marion Downs Center is both professional and personal for her. Lynne finds her job at the Center very rewarding because she sees firsthand the many ways that the Marion Downs Center improves the lives of those who live with hearing loss.
Lynne Lyons is the Chief Operating Officer. Lynne has a Masters in Public Administration and has worked in the non-profit healthcare sector for over 25 years. Lynne has significant hearing loss, so the mission of the Marion Downs Center is both professional and personal for her. Lynne finds her job at the Center very rewarding because she sees firsthand the many ways that the Marion Downs Center improves the lives of those who live with hearing loss.
Director of Finance and Government Relations Chief Operating Officer
Kim Mesa, KidScreen team member and Early Language and Literacy Outreach (ELLO) peschool teacher, has over 15 years of experience as an early childhood classroom teacher and preschool director. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Early Childhood and a Colorado Director’s certificate. She is certified as a Music Together instructor and enjoys blending music with classroom instruction.
Kim Mesa, KidScreen team member and Early Language and Literacy Outreach (ELLO) peschool teacher, has over 15 years of experience as an early childhood classroom teacher and preschool director. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Early Childhood and a Colorado Director’s certificate. She is certified as a Music Together instructor and enjoys blending music with classroom instruction.
Early Language Learning Outreach Lead Teacher | Kidscreen Team Member
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Front Office
Ashley Muniz is a teacher of the deaf and has 10 years teaching experience. She continues to teach preschool children during the school year in Jefferson County. Ashley has a Masters in Deaf Education from Washington University in Saint Louis. She has spent most of her career focusing on supporting and developing preschool programs for children who are deaf and use listening and spoken language in Colorado. Mrs. Muniz opened a preschool program in Colorado Springs and taught Marion’s Way preschool for the first time last year. She is passionate about providing the best possible instruction and support to young children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families at a time when they need it the most.
Ashley Muniz is a teacher of the deaf and has 10 years teaching experience. She continues to teach preschool children during the school year in Jefferson County. Ashley has a Masters in Deaf Education from Washington University in Saint Louis. She has spent most of her career focusing on supporting and developing preschool programs for children who are deaf and use listening and spoken language in Colorado. Mrs. Muniz opened a preschool program in Colorado Springs and taught Marion’s Way preschool for the first time last year. She is passionate about providing the best possible instruction and support to young children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families at a time when they need it the most.
Marion’s Way Lead Teacher
Julie Peterson, AuD, is a Clinical Audiologist with over 30 years of experience in diverse practice settings. She continues to practice audiology and mentor students. Dr. Peterson earned her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2013 after practicing under her Master of Science in Audiology degree for many years. She has extensive clinical experience addressing the hearing needs of infants and children, as well as adults, and in training Doctor of Audiology students.
While practicing in Arizona, Dr. Peterson was active in programs providing free services and hearing aids for children from Sonora, Mexico. Dr. Peterson finds great satisfaction in improving people’s lives through education, technology and on-going supportive relationships.
Julie Peterson, AuD, is a Clinical Audiologist with over 30 years of experience in diverse practice settings. She continues to practice audiology and mentor students. Dr. Peterson earned her Doctor of Audiology degree in 2013 after practicing under her Master of Science in Audiology degree for many years. She has extensive clinical experience addressing the hearing needs of infants and children, as well as adults, and in training Doctor of Audiology students.
While practicing in Arizona, Dr. Peterson was active in programs providing free services and hearing aids for children from Sonora, Mexico. Dr. Peterson finds great satisfaction in improving people’s lives through education, technology and on-going supportive relationships.
Clinical Audiologist
Program Assistant
Aaron Rose, M.S.D.E. is the marketing and outreach coordinator for Marion Downs Center with over a decade of experience in non-profits. Mr. Rose earned his Masters of Science in Deaf Education from Washington University School of Medicine in 2010 and spent three years in Aurora Public Schools before switching gears and diving into marketing and outreach for non-profit organizations. In addition to spending time with his family outdoors on the water and in the mountains, Aaron enjoys mountaineering and splitboarding. He also regularly tests backcountry gear for a gear review company.
Aaron Rose, M.S.D.E. is the marketing and outreach coordinator for Marion Downs Center with over a decade of experience in non-profits. Mr. Rose earned his Masters of Science in Deaf Education from Washington University School of Medicine in 2010 and spent three years in Aurora Public Schools before switching gears and diving into marketing and outreach for non-profit organizations. In addition to spending time with his family outdoors on the water and in the mountains, Aaron enjoys mountaineering and splitboarding. He also regularly tests backcountry gear for a gear review company.
Marketing/Outreach Coordinator
Clarisse Simonini-Weber is a speech language pathologist She has been with the Marion Downs Center (formerly The Center for Hearing, Speech and Language/Colorado Hearing and Speech Center), since 1980. Clarisse graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.A. in 1978 and a M.A. in 1980.
Clarisse enjoys working with children who have speech and language delays and draws on her wealth of experience in a variety of areas from speech production disorders to language therapy to provide individual therapy based on children’s strengths and needs. She feels that families are an important part of the process and encourages them to be involved in their child’s progress.
Clarisse enjoys time with her children and grandson and her interests include books, flowers and plants, as well as the outdoors.
Clarisse Simonini-Weber is a speech language pathologist She has been with the Marion Downs Center (formerly The Center for Hearing, Speech and Language/Colorado Hearing and Speech Center), since 1980. Clarisse graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.A. in 1978 and a M.A. in 1980.
Clarisse enjoys working with children who have speech and language delays and draws on her wealth of experience in a variety of areas from speech production disorders to language therapy to provide individual therapy based on children’s strengths and needs. She feels that families are an important part of the process and encourages them to be involved in their child’s progress.
Clarisse enjoys time with her children and grandson and her interests include books, flowers and plants, as well as the outdoors.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Ashley Muniz is a teacher of the deaf and has 10 years teaching experience. She continues to teach preschool children during the school year in Jefferson County. Ashley has a Masters in Deaf Education from Washington University in Saint Louis. She has spent most of her career focusing on supporting and developing preschool programs for children who are deaf and use listening and spoken language in Colorado. Mrs. Muniz opened a preschool program in Colorado Springs and taught Marion’s Way preschool for the first time last year. She is passionate about providing the best possible instruction and support to young children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families at a time when they need it the most.
Clinical Audiologist | Associate Director
Our Board of Directors
Laura Aubert, AuD
Had Beatty
Chairman of the Board
Barbara Biddle Galoob
Dr. Stephen Cass, MD
Sandra Gabbard, PhD
MDC President and CEO
Charlie Hebeler, PhD
Board Treasurer
Linda Hood, PhD
Cliff Linhardt
Jerry Northern, PhD
Christie Morin
Jill Wayne, AuD, Secretary
Chris Writer
We also accept in-kind donations. We are looking for used hearing aids, books, arts and craft supplies, and other items for our programs.
Marion’s Legacy
January 26, 1914 – November 13, 2014
Marion Downs was a distinguished professor emerita at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she spent more than 35 years providing clinical services to patients with hearing loss. She devoted her professional life to promoting early identification of hearing loss in newborns, infants, and young children.
During her career at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Marion Downs created, developed, and evaluated a variety of techniques for testing children’s hearing and fitting them with hearing aids. She was among the first to recognize the need for babies with hearing loss to use hearing aids as early as possible. This way, during the infant’s critical development years, their speech, language, and communication skills could improve.
In 1963, Marion Downs pioneered the first national infant hearing screening program in Denver, CO. Since then, she had relentlessly pursued the identification and management of hearing loss in infants and children as a public health issue and an important medical and educational consideration. Her success has resulted in a widespread national program, which makes the screening of newborn hearing a functioning preventative program in more than 40 states across the US as well as in foreign countries.
She is recognized internationally for her work in pediatric audiology. Her publications and lectures have helped people become more alert to the importance of early intervention for hearing loss.
In 1969, Marion Downs proposed that a national committee be established to ensure that pediatric hearing loss would stay as a concern for pediatric health professionals. The committee would have representatives from various professional hearing healthcare organizations interview, evaluate, and recommend best practices to newborn hearing screening programs.
As a result of her visionary thinking, the nation’s Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) was organized to provide multidisciplinary leadership and guidance for 35 years in all areas of newborn and infant hearing issues.
Awards Received
Marion Downs received an extensive array of awards that recognize her contributions throughout her career. Among her many honors include:
In addition, she has been recognized with honors in nearly every professional hearing-related society, including:
Marion Downs was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2006. Watch this video about Marion Downs.