About Us

Serving the Pee Dee region of South Carolina since 1968.

Who We Are

In 1968 Pee Dee Hearing Center was established to assist those with hearing problems. Within the confines of the center was a very active preschool for the hearing impaired as well as a full diagnostic audiology clinic. To this date, we continue to provide these same services with the exception of the preschool (the public schools and other government agencies have assumed this role). We have also added an outreach hearing conservation program designed to help prevent hearing loss due to excessive noise exposure.

Pee Dee Hearing Center continues to thrive and serve the Pee Dee region and beyond. Staffed by a well-trained and experienced group of dedicated people who believe strongly that effective communication is an essential human need and, as such, a basic human right. Without it, no individual or community can exist or prosper.

Meet Our Team

Dr. Ellen Emmons, Au.D., CCC-A

Clincal Director

Dr. Ellen Marcia Emmons is an Audiologist in Florence, SC. She was born on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. She relocated to the United States with her family at the age of eight. Dr. Emmons received a bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Andrews University, in Berrien Springs Michigan in 2006. In 2010 she obtained a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) from A.T. Still University, in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. Emmons is married to Pastor Marquis Jackson M.Div., of Cincinnati, Ohio. They are the proud parents of two beautiful, and adventurous girls – Elisabeth Jackson and Michaela Jackson. The family likes to attend church services, listen to music, read, cook, and travel together.

Over the years Dr. Emmons has worked in various work settings, including OU Physician’s/ OU Children’s Hospital, Spartanburg ENT & Allergy, Rutherford County Schools, and other entities. She has worked with people of all ages and walks of life. Dr. Emmons aims to help others prevent, identify, and treat hearing loss because she believes hearing is one of the most intricate and complex senses God has given us.

Kathy Grabowski, H.I.S.

Director of Mobile Services & Certified Dementia Practitioner
(by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners)

Kathy Grabowski is a Licensed SC Hearing Instrument Specialist. She was born and raised in Minnesota. After graduating from high school, she joined the USAF for 6 active-duty years that gave her the opportunity to live in the UK for 3 years. Her career field in the USAF was Photo Processing Specialist. She had processed photo imagery from government satellites to photos of the space shuttle’s cargo doors open in orbit above the earth. After the USAF, her next career field of choice was horseshoeing and training. She was a Farrier for the Dixie Stampede and Mid-Evil Times for a time, as well as local horse owners in the area.

Then in 2011 she found herself working in the hearing health care field, with less physical labor intensity. Her hearing health care work has been and still is, very gratifying.

Kathy has enjoyed helping and assisting folks have a better quality of life by hearing their life better. She loves seeing patients reconnect to LIFE. She’s seen grandparents hear their grandchild say, “I love you, Grandma” and to see the expressions of wonder on people’s faces when they hear the crickets again and birds sing outside once more. It’s that “Oh my gosh, I heard that!” The excitement and expressions on their faces has her hooked! Our hearing ability is NOT a disability.

Kathy has been blessed with three wonderful children, two of whom are on active duty currently, USAF/US Army. She lives in Aynor, SC and enjoys her big and small critters there with her youngest child, kayaking, or relaxing in their backyard.

Celly Kahn

Executive Director

Celeste “Celly” Padgett Kahn is a lifelong resident of Florence, SC. She is delighted to be a part of the team at Pee Dee Hearing Center in order to have an impact on the lives of the people in her hometown. She joined Pee Dee Hearing Center in 2019 as Marketing Director and quickly initiated a rebranding campaign to refresh the image and awareness of the 50+-year-old agency.

Upon getting to know the center and the valuable role it plays in the community, she was impressed by the agency’s rich history of community involvement; specifically, that it was founded by Florence business and civic leaders to improve the lives of children and adults suffering from hearing and speech disabilities.

“There are few things as important as being able to communicate as understanding and being understood,” Kahn said. “Through language, we connect to the world around us and come to know our families and our community. Without the ability to hear and speak, we are at risk of feeling isolated and lonely. I want people to hear the voices of the people they love and the world in action around them. I’m proud to work with people who so lovingly and professionally introduce clients of all ages, from newborn infants to great-grandparents, to the joys of connectedness through hearing and speech.”

Kahn’s professional experience includes more than 25 years in local advertising and marketing.

Michael Moore

Business Manager

Mike joined Pee Dee Hearing Center in 2022. Since then, he has had the pleasure of seeing the quality of our patient’s lives improve because of the speech and hearing services we provide. He has fallen in love with the Pee Dee region and is excited to continue our tradition of serving the community and changing people’s lives for the better.

Originally from New Jersey, Mike started out in banking and spent years as a commercial credit manager. He was also Controller of a packaging supply company, Project Manager of a Sonogram Center, and has done marketing and community outreach for a nonprofit organization.

Mike lives in Effingham with his wife, Lorraine, their 2 dogs, Grace and Rose, and their cat, Willow.

Rachel Bennett

Audiologist Assistant

Rachel is our Audiologist Assistant whose passion is to assist those with hearing health needs. She has a professional background in hospitality and healthcare services, ranging from restaurants, to pharmacies, to specialty doctor offices. She started off her college education in business management/communication, then transitioned into healthcare.

Rachel started her Pee Dee Hearing Center journey in October of 2022, amid our transition. Her focus is heavily patient based, ensuring excellent customer service and a smooth experience. She truly cherishes working with the community. As well as overseeing the start-to-finish process from troubled hearing to patients witnessing sounds, emotions, and interpersonal connections they have been missing from their lives for quite some time.

Her career is a hobby of its own; but outside of working hours Rachel loves experiencing new places to eat in different towns along with spending time with family and friends

Deborah Cress, B.S.

Claims and Receivables

Deborah is a part-time Administrative Assistant. She came to us in May of 2022. She has a B.S. in Business Management and Marketing graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. Deborah started her career early as a school bus driver at 16. Deborah then served her country in the US Navy stationed in Exmouth, Western Australia and the USS Dixon in Point Loma, CA. She then spent the next phase of her professional life between health insurance and the mortgage industry, with over 20 years in management.

Deborah took a short retirement and reentered the workforce with a vision to work for a nonprofit organization that aligns with her personal values and skills.

In her free time, Deborah likes to fly fish, kayak, RV, travel, and take long walks with her husband, Andy, and dog, Missy. She has a daughter and stepson. Deborah strives to add value by providing patient oriented services and brings a variety of skills and expertise to assist with multiple facets within the organization.

Sandra Kundel

Administrative Specialist

Sandra is bilingual, dedicated, and a technically skilled professional with versatile support skills developed through her experience as a staffing coordinator, payroll, surgical services, and outpatient coder. She excels in resolving employer challenges with innovative solutions, systems and process improvements proven to increase efficiency.

When Sandra saw a need for help to rebuild the practice, she offered her assistance in any way possible. She enjoys having the opportunity to witness the rebirth of a beautiful practice that helps so many in the community. She finds great joy in being a part of a dynamic team and evolving Pee Dee Hearing Center.

Sandra is an artist, she loves to create on many levels as well as loves dance, performing, and helping the community. She has always believed that “there is more happiness in giving than it is in receiving;” “everyday is a good day to have a great day;” and “no matter what trial you face… it can always be worse.”

How We Give Back to Our Community

Our team values community and as a nonprofit hearing center, we do our best to give back anyway we can. Pee Dee Hearing Center is a proud member of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Together SC, National Association for Speech and Hearing Centers and the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation.