Medical Speech Language Pathologist

Ellie, a native of Tehran, Iran, immigrated to the United States with her family in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution. This challenging period instilled in her family the values of resilience and perseverance. They successfully adapted to the US language and culture, eventually obtaining citizenship, completing college, and working towards careers. The family initially settled in Kentucky (culture shock :) )  before relocating to Bradenton, Florida.

A pivotal encounter at age 17, with a speech-language pathologist aiding her goddaughter’s recovery from an anoxic brain injury, profoundly impacted Ellie’s career trajectory. She subsequently pursued a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Florida, graduating in 2003. Following a year-long fellowship in Clearwater, Ellie established a 22-year career in her community, Gainesville, working in various clinical settings and earning a stellar reputation.

She has worked in every setting imaginable in order to become skilled with patients of all levels and all backgrounds. Ellie and her husband, Eric, co-founded Divine Speech and Swallowing Solutions to create a new vision for healthcare, a vision of compassion, respect and love. They reside in the rural countryside in Gilchrist County. Ellie prioritizes spending time with her family, including her husband and six children, and remains committed to following God’s will, guided by the principles of Love. One of Ellie’s favorite prayers she prays is “help me show love, feel love, be love.” 

Office Manager

Eric has lived in the Gainesville area his entire life - nearly 45 years. And although he’s traveled extensively throughout the United States, there isn’t an ounce of regret for staying anchored to his hometown throughout all seasons of his life. Despite his best attempt to lose himself in the mountains and deserts of the wild West pursuing a career as a nature photographer, Florida’s tug on his heart couldn’t be denied. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. His nature photos can be see adorning the walls of the practice and books in the waiting room. 

He worked at UF for 12 years as a photographer. Next time you’re in The Swamp, take note that the giant gator photo dominating the concourse could be his. Or, if you’re a fan of the Florida Museum of Natural History, his photos might have helped tell the story of Florida’s past that intrigued you.

While Eric has traded 100-mile backpacking trips for family movie nights, he is as passionate about life as he ever was, and he brings that passion to the front office of Divine Speech and Swallowing Solutions. He adores Ellie, whom he is inseparable from, and sees his role as husband and father as the pinnacle of his life. His adventures now consist of loving his wife better every day, raising sons and daughters strong in their faith, and discipling young couples in the way of Christ-like marriage.

Patient Care Manager

Makayla grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, where she received a homeschool education that made the transition to Florida at 17 years old much easier than it could have been. Since being a young child, Makayla has leaned into her creativity- whether that be singing, playing the piano, drawing, or writing.

These hobbies all persist to this day, and it is her hope that she continues honing in on and expanding her creative passions. After she gained a sociology degree at Santa Fe College, her academics came to a stand still. So many paths to choose from led her to choosing none for a time, and, instead, she focused on ministry at her church for a “gap year.” Eventually, she decided her love for literature could be a good starting point. Her time at the University of Central Florida was spent earning a creative writing degree- gained simply to help her understand the art of words. 

Makayla met Eric and Ellie when she joined their couples’ small group with her now husband, Jamar. After a short-term internship working with a youth group in Sebring, Florida, she was graciously offered a position working on the front-end of DSSS. 

It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with everything DSSS stands for. She makes it her goal as the patient care manager to truly see and love each patient from the first phone call to their last appointment.

Student Volunteer

Ivana Jordan is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Florida double majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Spanish. She aspires to become a medical speech-language pathologist specializing in voice and swallowing disorders. Ivana is a research assistant in Dr. Charles Ellis’ Communication Equity and Outcomes Lab, where she examines communication outcomes in children with hearing loss as well as recovery outcomes in very young stroke survivors.

As a proud Puerto Rican, Ivana is passionate about serving Spanish-speaking and Latin American communities by helping bridge language and cultural gaps in healthcare. She also volunteers and shadows at Divine Speech and Swallowing Solutions with Ellie Zamora, M.A., CCC-SLP, to gain valuable clinical experience. Outside of academics, Ivana enjoys climbing, creating ceramics, and exploring new coffee shops.

Student Volunteer

Isabella is a motivated student at the University of Florida, pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Deaf and Hearing Sciences. Her academic and research experiences have centered on care for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders and other disabilities, with particular interests in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, dysphagia, and young stroke outcomes.  

Beyond academics, Isabella is actively involved in leadership and service. She is a mentor for undergraduate researchers and peers in NSSLHA and the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Isabella also participates in fundraising for Alpha Phi and the Children’s Miracle Network at Dance Marathon. She is passionate about pursuing a career as a speech-language pathologist, with the long-term goal of improving healthcare outcomes and access to high-quality communication and swallowing care.