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Melissa Ghiringhelli

SLP.D., CCC-SLP

Licensed bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist and reading specialist with over 20 years of experience working with pediatric clients in outpatient hospital, clinic and public school settings. She maintains certification through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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Meet

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Melissa is the founder of Harbor Education Strategies, a private practice located in Hingham, Massachusetts, which she established in 2023. The practice specializes in comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and consultative services for pediatric clients with speech, language, and literacy challenges. Through this work, Melissa supports families seeking individualized, evidence-based guidance for their child's communication and learning needs. In addition to direct client services, Harbor Education Strategies now offers mentorship for practicing Speech-Language Pathologists, drawing on Melissa's clinical and doctoral training to support SLPs seeking to deepen their expertise and grow in their careers.

 

Melissa holds a Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. As a lifelong learner, she deeply valued the opportunity to pursue advanced training through this post-professional doctoral program, and she brings that advanced clinical knowledge directly into her work with clients and mentees alike.

 

Melissa is also a Senior Speech-Language Pathologist and Reading Specialist, Advanced Clinician at Massachusetts General Brigham, where she has practiced since 2003. She has extensive expertise in providing diagnostic and intervention services to children and adolescents with Developmental Language Disorder, Language-Based Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication Disorder, and Speech Sound Disorders.

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As a clinical educator, Melissa thrives in supporting learners of all ages and abilities. She precepts graduate student clinicians from programs across the Boston area and previously taught the graduate-level Diagnostics course at Northeastern University. She has presented locally and nationally, including at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, on topics such as bilingualism, early language development, language-based learning disabilities, and the relationship between spoken and written language.

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Before founding her private practice, Melissa worked in public school districts throughout Massachusetts, including Boston, Chelsea, Milton, and Hingham. Nearly a decade in school settings provided her with deep expertise in special education law, IEP development, and educational service delivery.

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Melissa lives in Hingham, MA with her husband, three children, and mini labradoodle. As the parent of school-age children with diverse learning profiles, she brings both professional expertise and firsthand family experience to her work. This unique blend of compassion, lived understanding, and clinical skill enables her to support families — and fellow clinicians — with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

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Education

Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology, 2026

The Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions, formerly Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders

University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Reading Specialist Certification

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Licenses & Certifications

  • Certificate of Clinical Competence (ASHA CCC) License # 12026336.

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  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Certified Speech-Language Pathologist.  License # SP 6362-SL.

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  • Massachusetts Department of Education Certified Specialist Teacher of Speech, Language, & Hearing Impaired.  License # 389174.

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  • Massachusetts Department of Education Certified Reading Specialist.  License # 389174.​

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  • Office of Child Care Services certified teacher for normally developing and special needs infant/toddler and preschool aged children.  License # 9518810

  • Orton Gillingham Training

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  • Project Read Training

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  • Wisnia-Kapp Reading Program (WKRP) Basic Certification

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  • RAVE-O Certification

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  • EmPOWER Basic Certification

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  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training

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  • Crisis Prevention Intervention Certification

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  • CPR/First Aid Certification

Awards & Accolades

  • Award for Excellence in Clinical Education and Supervision, MGH-IHP, July 2021

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  • Norman Knight Preceptor Award, March 2021

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  • Partners in Excellence Award for Leadership and Innovation, Spring, 2018

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  • Service Excellence Individual Award, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2014

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  • Service Excellence Team Award, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2014

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  • Partners in Excellence Award – Group, Fall 2010

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  • ASHA Award for Continuing Education, Spring 2008

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  • Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions Supervisor of the Year Award, Spring 2010​

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  • Partners in Excellence Award – Individual, Winter 2007

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  • Partners in Excellence Award – Group, Winter 2007

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  • Advanced Clinician Recognition, Spring 2007

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  • Partners in Excellence Award – Individual, Winter 2005

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  • ASHA Award for Continuing Education, Spring 2005

  • Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Website-Based Clinical Resource Hub to Support Graduate Clinical Supervision in Pediatric Outpatient Speech-Language Pathology.” Poster presentation accepted for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN, November 2026. (Refereed).
     

  • “Assessment and Intervention of Early Literacy Skills”.  MGH Department of Speech-Language & Swallowing Disorders and Reading Disabilities, Staff Meeting, Boston MA, Spring 2021. (Unrefereed).

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  • “Improving Patient Care Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Caregiver Involvement”.  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA, November 2018.  Lecture.  (Refereed).

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  • “Language Development in Preschoolers”. CAPIC Head Start, Chelsea MA, December 2017. (Unrefereed).

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  • “MGH Pediatric Outpatient Team Roles and Responsibilities”. MGH Department of Speech-Language & Swallowing Disorders and Reading Disabilities, Staff Meeting, Boston MA, October 2017. (Unrefereed).

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  • “Pediatric Language and Learning Disorder: A Case Study”.  MGH Psychological Assessment Center (PAC), Boston, MA April 2017. (Unrefereed).

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  • “Bilingual Language Assessment”.  Massachusetts General Hospital Speech, Language & Swallowing Department, Chelsea & Revere, MA,  November  2016.  (Unrefereed).

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  • “Bilingual Speech and Language Assessment: Sink of Swim in a Multicultural World''.  MGH Chelsea Health Care Center Pediatric Rounds, Chelsea, MA September 2013. (Unrefereed).

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  • “To Retain or Not to Retain, That is the Question”.  Massachusetts General Hospital Speech, Language & Swallowing Department, Revere, MA,  September 2013.  (Unrefereed). 

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  • “Spoken and Written Language: From Evaluation to Intervention”.  Allied Rehabilitation Associates Conference, Waltham, MA September 2012.  (Unrefereed).

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  • “Reading Comprehension: From Assessment to Intervention”.  Massachusetts General Hospital Learning Disabilities Unit Annual Conference, Boston, MA October 2010. (Unrefereed).

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  • “Group Intervention Strategies for the Development of Reading Foundations”.  Massachusetts General Hospital Speech, Language & Swallowing Department, Boston, MA, January 2009.  (Unrefereed).

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  • MGB Revere Health CareCenter Pediatric Outpatient Speech-Language Team”.  MGH Department of Speech-Language & Swallowing Disorders and Reading Disabilities, Staff Meeting, Boston MA, October 4, 2023. (Unrefereed)

  •  “Group Intervention Strategies for the Development of Reading Foundations”.  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, November 2008.  Lecture.  (Refereed).

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  • “Outcomes for Reading Group Instruction in Patients with LLD”.  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, Miami, FL, November 2006.  Poster Presentation.  (Refereed).

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  •  “The Use of Visual Supports to Improve the Communication of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)”.  Massachusetts General Hospital Speech, Language &  Swallowing Department, Boston, MA, May 2006.  (Unrefereed).

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  • “Be Phonemically Aware … SLP’s … If You Dare – Increasing Phonological and Phonemic Awareness in Developing Readers”.  Harvard Vanguard Speech-Language Pathology Department,  Kenmore Square, Boston, MA, February 2006.  (Unrefereed).

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  • “Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology in Health Care and Public School Settings”.  MGH – Institute of Health Professions, Graduate Course in Multicultural Issues, Boston, MA, June 2004.  (Unrefereed).

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  • “Do accredited programs discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation?”  MGH – Institute of Health Professions Annual Research Day, Charlestown, MA, April 2003. (Unrefereed).

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  • “Do accredited programs discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation?”. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA, November 2003.  Poster Presentation.  (Refereed).

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  • “The Impact of Augmentative/Alternative Communication on the Natural Language Development of Autistic Children In Terms of Social Interaction Skills”.  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, November 2001.  Presentation of honors thesis.  (Refereed).

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  • “The Impact of Augmentative/Alternative Communication on the Natural Language Development of Autistic Children In Terms of Social Interaction Skills”.  University of Massachusetts, Amherst 7th Annual  Undergraduate Conference, Sturbridge, MA, April 2001.  Presentation of honors thesis.  (Unrefereed).

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  •  “Assistive Technology Devices and computer software programs”.  Occupational Therapy Student Conference at Bay Path College, Longmeadow, MA, Dec. 2000.  (Unrefereed).

Professional Speaking Engagements

Publications

  • Ghiringhelli, M. (Submitted). Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Website-Based Clinical Resource Hub to Support Graduate Clinical Supervision in Pediatric Outpatient SpeechLanguage Pathology. Clinical focus article submitted to Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, SIG 11: Administration and Supervision.  
     

  • Ghiringhelli, M. (In Process of Publication). Language Development and Disorders Birth to 7 Years and Speech Development and Disorders. Encyclopedia of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery- 2nd Edition.
     

  • Copeland, A., Ghiringhelli, M., Kaplan, J. (November 2018). Improving Patient Care Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Caregiver Involvement.  Refereed lecture at the National Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Boston, MA.

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  • Ashland, A., Dinnes, C., & Ghiringhelli, M. (July 2011).  Language Development and Disorders Birth to 7 Years and Speech Development and Disorders. Encyclopedia of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

 

  • Ghiringhelli, M.C. & Hetherton, M.B. (Nov. 2008). Group Intervention Strategies for the Development of Reading Foundations.  Refereed lecture at the National Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Chicago, IL.
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  • Caron, M.J. & Hetherton, M.B. (Nov. 2006). Outcomes for Reading Group Instruction in Patients with LLD. Poster presented at the National Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Miami, FL.
     

  • Lof, G. L., Caron, M. J., & Keller, K. B. (Nov. 2002).  Do accredited programs discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation?  Poster presented at the National Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Atlanta, GA.

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  • Caron, M.J., Mercaitis, P., & Velleman, S. (Nov. 2001).  The Impact of Augmentative/Alternative Communication on the Natural Language Development of Autistic Children In Terms of Social Interaction Skills.  Poster presented at the National Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, New Orleans, LA.     

  • Caron, M.J., Mercaitis, P., & Velleman, S. (April 2001).  Impact of Augmentative/Alternative Communication on the Natural Language Development of Autistic Children In Terms of Social Interaction Skills.  Commonwealth Undergraduate Review Publication by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 

DOCTORAL CAPSTONE PROJECT

Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Website-Based Clinical Resource Hub to Support Graduate Clinical Supervision in Pediatric Outpatient Speech-Language Pathology Massachusetts General Hospital – Institute of Health Professions, Charlestown, MA — Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) Capstone Project Capstone Mentor: Nashifa Momin, Ed.D., CCC-SLP | Summer 2026 ● Designed and developed a centralized, website-based clinical resource hub to supplement graduate student clinical supervision in a pediatric outpatient speech-language pathology setting at Massachusetts General Brigham, providing instructional videos, developmental references, assessment guides, sample evaluation reports, documentation templates, treatment planning resources, caregiver education materials, clinical reasoning supports, and curated research literature. ● Guided project design and evaluation using Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory; piloted the platform with graduate student clinicians from two university programs during pediatric outpatient placements and assessed feasibility and outcomes through website analytics and pre-, mid-, and post-placement surveys. ● Findings demonstrated strong feasibility, usability, and educational value, with graduate student clinicians reporting progressive increases in self-reported knowledge and clinical confidence, greater preparedness for clinical responsibilities, and greater independence in completing evaluation, documentation, and treatment planning tasks. ● Developed the resource hub as a scalable model for graduate clinical education, intended to standardize foundational clinical instruction across supervisors at Massachusetts General Brigham while preserving individualized mentorship, and to serve as a cornerstone consultation and professional development resource through Harbor Education Strategies.

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