Clinical Education Training for AuDs and SLPs Involved in Student Supervision

Lydia Allison, MCD, CCC-SLP is an Assistant Clinical Professor in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Auburn University. She provides instruction and supervision for graduate students completing clinical practicum at the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic, and teaches undergraduate courses in cognitive aspects of aging and clinical procedures in speech-language pathology. She is actively involved in interprofessional education experiences on campus and the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative. Allison received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Auburn University. Her clinical background includes acquired brain injury, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and clinical and instrumental dysphagia evaluations for the birth-geriatric population.

Functioning as a Novel Indicator to Optimize Audiologic Rehabilitation Intervention Outcomes

Razan AL Fakir, M.D. , AuD. , Ph.D., possesses a distinctive blend of academic and clinical expertise, holding an M.D. in Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, with a specialization in Otologic and Neuro-otologic Diseases that lead to hearing and balance loss. This foundation is further enriched by a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree, focusing on the rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders, and a Ph.D. in Audiology and Communication Sciences, emphasizing the comprehensive aspects of functioning, disability, and health-related to Otologic and Neuro-otologic Diseases. Currently, Dr. Al Fakir serves as an Academic Assistant Professor and Lead Researcher of the Auditory, Balance, and Mobility Capability (ABILITY) Lab at Auburn University. Her previous fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Florida further honed her expertise, particularly in cutting-edge research methodologies. As a key opinion leader in her field, Dr. Al Fakir has consistently contributed to advancing knowledge and practices in auditory and balance sciences.

Home Program for Picky Eaters

Dr. Shauna Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (pre-medical program) from Oregon Institute of Technology, Master of Arts in Teaching from Willamette University, Master of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences from University of Oregon, and Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences from Faulkner University with an emphasis in pediatric feeding. Her areas of specialty include language, cognition, feeding/swallowing, voice, fluency, and issues related to autism (Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist). She serves on research committees and as an academic advisor. Prior to joining Faulkner University in 2020, Dr. Ashley worked as an SLP for 6 years in a variety of settings, including: skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities (in-patient rehab); home health (out-patient rehab); schools; and early intervention. She is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Faulkner University.

Assistant for Hire: Partner with AI to Lighten Your Workload

Nichole Bailey, SLP.D, CCC-SLP, ASHA BCS-CL, has been a practicing clinician for over 29 years. She works with adolescents in the school setting and as an adjunct professor at Longwood University. Working full-time as a busy school-based clinician, Nichole routinely uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create personalized materials and activities for the students on her caseload. She is passionate about the use of AI platforms to create individualized materials for her students’ therapy goals and for the potential that AI has to transform the workload of speech-language pathologists in all settings. Nichole continuously seeks AI professional development and research in order to stay current in the rapidly evolving field of AI and the ways it can benefit the field of speech-language pathology.

Sharing the Love: How Caregiver Involvement Enhances Speech and Language Development

Natalie Orona Baldwin CCC-SLP-LSLS Cert. AVT, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Specialist/Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Communication Disorders from Auburn University. Throughout her 22 year career, Natalie has helped hundreds of children and their families achieve spoken language. She has worked in a variety of settings including a multidisciplinary cochlear implant team, outpatient clinics, spoken language preschool, GA public schools and the private school setting. Natalie has served as an Auditory-Verbal Therapy mentor to graduate student interns, teachers of the deaf and Speech-Language Pathologists pursuing LSL Certification. She has presented at many professional conferences and enjoys advocating for families to access listening and spoken language services for their children. While working at the Children’s of Alabama Hospital, Natalie was one of the founding members of the WISE school in Birmingham, AL. Natalie works with WISE in the development and leadership of the parent advocacy group, the WISE family NEST.

Assessment and Management of Pediatric Feeding Disorder in Alabama: Resources and Challenges

Carolyn K Barnes, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University at Montgomery. Carolyn’s clinical and research interests involve pediatric feeding and swallowing, particularly the impact of noninvasive respiratory support on the infant swallow, objective measurement in feeding/swallowing assessment, and access to interdisciplinary care.

Clinical Education Training for AuDs and SLPs Involved in Student Supervision

Melissa A. Barry, M.S., CCC-SLP, is the Clinical Director at the University of Montevallo. She is responsible for graduate students’ obtaining clinical requirements as specified by ASHA/CFCC, coordination of on- and off-campus clinical practica, the annual Job Fair, and general clinic management. She supervises graduate students enrolled in clinical practicum, who provide both diagnostic and intervention services for children with a range of communicative needs. She teaches the Augmentative/Alternative Communication course to graduate students and the Clinical Observation course to undergraduate students. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Melissa has 30 years of experience in clinical, research, and academic settings. Melissa’s professional interests include child language, atypical development, augmentative/alternative communication, and early intervention.

Supporting Engagement and Expressive Development (APLL SEED): Graduate Students Coaching Parents in Early Intervention

Brenda L. Beverly, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is a Professor at the University of South Alabama (USA). She joined the faculty at USA in 1998, after pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee (UT). Brenda has developed and taught classroom-based courses in pediatric speech-language development and disorders, including birth-to-5 and autism spectrum populations. She has provided clinical education for graduate students since 1992 (at UT and then USA). As a researcher, she is a co-founder of the Autism, Pediatric Language & Literacy (APLL) Lab at USA, where innovative programs such as APLL SEED (Supporting Engagement & Expressive Development) are being developed and assessed for feasibility.

Demystifying Voice Therapy: A Case-Based Interactive Workshop

Will Boswell, MCD, CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist and has been working at the UAB Voice Center since he completed his CF there in 2017. Will received his master’s degree in CSD from Auburn University. He frequently performs as a singer/songwriter soloist and also in a musical trio around the Birmingham area.

Pediatric Voice Evaluation and Therapy for the School Based and Private Practice Clinician

Maia Braden, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist and clinical associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She holds a BA in music performance and an MS in Speech Language Pathology. Ms. Braden has worked extensively with children with voice disorders throughout her career, and has clinical and research interests in pediatric voice, voice and upper airway disorders, and cleft palate and resonance disorders.

The Evolution and Future of Teletherapy: Demonstrating Its Efficacy and Advantages

Sandy Broderway MS, CCC-SLP, is the Founder and CEO of National TeleTherapy Resources (NTR), a leading provider of virtual speech therapy services for students in California. Sandy obtained her bachelor’s degree from Troy University and her master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo. With a background in business operations and a deep passion for speech-language pathology, Sandy has successfully grown NTR into a trusted partner for school districts seeking innovative teletherapy solutions. Sandy is dedicated to ensuring that every student receives the support they need to thrive, and they continue to drive the advancement of effective teletherapy practices across the state.

Well Hearing is Well Being

Haley Butler, AuD, CCC-A is an Audiologist and Clinical Trainer for Phonak. Dr. Butler received her Doctorate of Audiology degree from the Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium in 2013. She worked as a clinical audiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for nine years, where she specialized in adult diagnostics, tinnitus evaluation/treatment, and amplification/assistive device fittings. She joined Phonak in January 2023 and is currently based in Nashville, TN.

Investigating semantic and syntactic processing in readers with comprehension difficulties: Insights from eye-tracking and computational modeling

Luca Campanelli, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders at The University of Alabama. Dr. Campanelli's research focuses on understanding how cognitive architecture constrains speech and language processing, and the implications for education, training, and intervention. His work employs multiple methodologies, including EEG, eye-tracking, and computational modeling.

Leveraging Evidence-Based Practices When Evaluating Preschoolers Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing for Special Education

Planning for the One Percent

Kameron Carden, Ph.D., CCC/SLP, LSLS Cert. AVEd. has over 15 years of experience working with children who are deaf/hard of hearing as a speech-language pathologist and listening and spoken language specialist. As a practitioner, she has taught in oral preschool programs, served children and their families through early intervention, and provided outreach services to students and their teachers in public school settings throughout the state of Alabama. Dr. Carden currently serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Samford University. She is a board member for the Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DCD) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). She also serves on Alabama’s Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) and on the board of Alabama Hands and Voices as a parent of a child with a hearing difference. Her research interests include complex language development and ecologically valid language assessment practices for preschoolers who are deaf/hard of hearing using listening and spoken language.

Beyond Fluency: Empowering Children Who Stutter Through Acceptance-Based Approaches

Dr. Dahye Choi is an associate professor in the department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of South Alabama. Her study focuses on understanding how biases against stuttering emerge. Dr. Choi's ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life for individuals who stutter by promoting understanding and support within their communities. Her commitment to making a real-world impact is evident in her leadership roles in stuttering support programs. In 2023, she directed the USA Camp Connect, and in 2024, she supervised the Camp Dream.Speak.Live at the University of South Alabama. These experiences not only allowed Dr. Choi to contribute significantly to her field but also provided direct support to children who stutter, bridging the gap between academic research and practical application.

Why I Love Speech-Language Pathology: Creating Inclusive and Purposeful Futures

Lindy Cleveland obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Life Education from Samford University. She then went on to established Unless U in 2014. She has since been featured in numerous publications, including Woman's World Magazine, Vestavia Hills Magazine, The Vestavia Voice, Over the Mountain Journal, About Town Magazine, Al.com, Birmingham Business Journal, and Doing Good, WBRC. ​ Lindy has been recognized for her contributions to education with The Learning for Life Award and The Alumni of the Year Award from Samford University's Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education in 2016, as well as the Humanitarian Award from the Women's Committee of 100 in 2018. In addition, she was selected as a TEDxBirmingham Speaker in 2016. Most recently, Lindy was awarded the Humanitarian Alumni of the Year Award from Samford University in 2022, became a Praxis Non-profit fellow, receiving a $50,000 grant for Unless U, and was honored as the 2024 Young Alumni Award Winner by The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, a national award. ​ When she's not at Unless U, Lindy loves dancing at Dance Trance, catching up with friends, and pouring into their young married Sunday school class at Hope Community Church, where she and her husband, Mitch, serve as teachers. Mitch is a special educator and Basketball Coach at Liberty Park Middle School. Together, they have two sons, Grady, who is six years old, and Jordan Brooks, who is three years old and named after Lindy's brother.

Strengthen Clinical Skills in Determining the Presence of Speech Production Disorder or Difference in Children

Amy S. Conway M.S. Ed. is an instructional designer in the Auburn Online division of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at Auburn University. Her primary focus in this role is to provide online students with a high-quality learning experience via digital tools and academic strategies.

Thinking Above and Beyond: Understanding Cognition for Speech- Language Pathology

Olivia Dale, M.S., CCC-SLP currently practices as a speech-language pathologist in the acute care setting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital. She received her Master of Science in speech-language pathology from the University of South Alabama in May 2021. Prior to this, she earned a Bachelor of Science in communication disorders, with a minor in business, from Auburn University in 2019. She completed her clinical fellowship year at UAB Medicine. Olivia has experience in both acute care and inpatient rehabilitation services, where she applied functional, research-backed assessment and cognitive interventions for a variety of ages, diagnoses, and acuity levels. Olivia has a passion for improving her clinical knowledge and applying recent literature to improve patient care and outcomes. In addition to patient care, she educates new medical residents regarding the role and benefit of SLP in medical ICUs. She has also been a part of initiatives to improve cognitive interventions and care for patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Tinnitus Diagnosis and Management: A Global Approach

Uncovering the Mysteries about Misophonia and How to Manage it! 

Ali A. Danesh, Ph.D., CCC-A, FAAA, is currently a Professor at the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and also has a Secondary appointment as Professor of Integrated Medical Sciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Boca Raton, Florida, Dr Danesh has affiliate positions in the College of Science, Department of Psychology and College of Engineering and Computer Sciences. Dr. Danesh is an American Board of Audiology board certified practicing audiologist. His current clinical work concentrates on patients with tinnitus, vertigo and sound sensitivity (e.g., hyperacusis and misophonia). He has research and interest in the areas of tinnitus, hyperacusis, misophonia, auditory evoked potentials, auditory processing disorders, auditory responses in both normal and pathological populations, vestibular assessment, and diagnostic/rehabilitative audiology.

Speech Language Pathology in Post-Acute Care…The Rest of the Story

Laura G. Dennis, MS, CCC-SLP is the Vice President of Clinical Services for Restore Therapy. Laura has over 25 years of experience working with adults in a variety of settings with focus on geriatrics in the skilled nursing facility. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a Master’s degree from the University of Montevallo. Laura has presented at the Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama (SHAA) and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) on cognitive disorders, aural rehabilitation and reimbursement issues. She received Honors of the Association at the SHAA convention in 2019 for her contributions to the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders for speech language pathology and audiology through clinical practice, teaching, research, administration and legislative activity. Laura is an active member of ASHA and serves as the continuing education administrator for Restore Therapy. She is very involved in advocacy at the national level and is on the Board of Directors for ADVION (formerly known as NASL, the National Association for the Support of Long-Term Care).

Technology Today

Peter Duke is a Regional Sales Manager with e3 Diagnostics covering Alabama and North Florida. He has 23 years of experience in the hearing healthcare industry and 8 years working with e3 Diagnostics.

Sensory for the SLP

Building Executive Function Skills Through Play-Based Learning

Traits of a Neurodiversity-Affirming SLP

Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1993 and her master’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1995. Cari is a therapist, consultant, author, product developer, and nationally recognized speaker who gets paid to do what she loves most—TALK! She has an energetic personality, and this translates to a high-energy speaking style. Cari has an Autistic son, allowing her to engage audiences both as a professional and as a parent of a neurodivergent child.

Strengthen Clinical Skills in Determining the Presence of Speech Production Disorder or Difference in Children

Anna M. Ehrhorn, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences Department at Auburn University. Her research aims to understand how early speech and language development build the foundation for future reading development, and on the identification and treatment of speech, language, and reading disorders.

The Cleft Connection: An SLP's Experience Being a Mom of a Child Born with Cleft

Dr. Morgan Estes EdD, CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor for the online master's program in the department of speech-language pathology at Faulkner University. She has worked in academia for the past seven years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Additionally, she has practiced in a variety of settings including skilled nursing facilities, home health, telehealth, and university clinics. Her areas of specialty include adult dysphagia, research, and voice and resonance disorders. However, Morgan considers her most important role being a mom of two precious kiddos, one of which was born with a cleft lip and palate.

The Evolution and Future of Teletherapy: Demonstrating Its Efficacy and Advantages

Alana Flow, MS, CCC-SLP, is a highly experienced speech-language pathologist with 16 years of dedicated service in school-based therapy. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Montevallo, and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. As a team lead at National TeleTherapy Resources (NTR), Alana not only provides exceptional virtual therapy but also mentors and guides fellow speech-language pathologists, fostering a culture of excellence and passion within the team. She spearheads initiatives that enhance team development and unity, ensuring that NTR delivers consistent, high-quality services. In addition to her clinical expertise, Alana plays a pivotal role in NTR’s marketing efforts and serves as a crucial liaison between the organization and the schools it supports. Her commitment to building strong relationships and facilitating seamless communication ensures that NTR effectively meets the needs of students and educators alike.

State Department of Education Updates

Stephanie Frucci-Bear, Ed.S., CCC-SLP is an education specialist with the Alabama State Department of Education in Special Education Services, focusing on preschool special education, speech-language impairment, English learners with special needs, private schools, and monitoring. She is the special education contact for Regions 4 and 10. Before joining the State Department in 2014, she served as a speech-language pathologist in Alabama and Georgia schools for fifteen years, with the last thirteen primarily in preschool. She has also worked PRN at Baptist East Hospital in Montgomery.

Lateral Lisp Remediation: From Elicitation to Generalization

The Complexity Approach to Phonological Intervention

Let's Get Real: Practical Tips for R Remediation

Amy Graham MA, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist, international speaker, and owner of Graham Speech Therapy, a private practice in Colorado Springs specializing in pediatric speech sound disorders. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Fullerton and has been an SLP for 25 years. Amy provides professional development on the assessment and treatment of SSD and is the creator of numerous SSD-specific assessment and therapy resources. She has a particular interest in using her platform to support and equip SLPs to thoroughly assess and effectively treat children with speech sound disorders.

AAC Implementation in the Classroom

AAC Support: Collaborating with Teachers and Caregivers

Sarah Gregory, M.S., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist and works as an Assistive Technology and inclusive programming consultant in the Ithaca City School District in Upstate New York. She specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication in a public school setting with a focus on inclusion. Sarah has presented on these topics at national and statewide conferences. She shares ideas and strategies for AAC and teletherapy on her YouTube channel, as well as on Twitter and Instagram @SarahGregorySLP.

Sharing the Love: How Caregiver Involvement Enhances Speech and Language Development

Heather Griffin CCC-SLP/LSLS Cert. AVT, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Specialist/Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Montevallo and a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. Heather also serves as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator. She has been serving children from birth to age three and their families in the Mobile area since 2008. As part of the WISE team, she can continue to provide essential early intervention services and Listening and Spoken Language resources to children of any age in Mobile and surrounding counties.

Assessment and Management of Pediatric Feeding Disorder in Alabama: Resources and Challenges

Dr. Memorie Gosa , PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders, and associate professor & chair of the Communicative Disorders Department at The University of Alabama. She has more than twenty years of clinical and research experience in pediatric dysphagia. Her research focuses on establishing the reliability and validity of common assessments and treatments used in pediatric dysphagia. She is co-editor of the textbook, Assessing and Treating Dysphagia: A Lifespan Perspective. She works clinically at The University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center and at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa and Northport.

Unlocking Potential with AAC: Empowering the SLP to break through challenges, enhance engagement and achieve success in therapy

Amanda Hamner M.S., CCC-SLP is currently a Speech-Language Pathologist for Children’s Rehabilitation Service (CRS) for the Montgomery and Opelika Districts where she serves as the Augmentative Communication Technology Clinic Coordinator as well as staff SLP for a variety of specialty clinics including Cleft Palate and Pediatric Assessment/NICU Follow-Up Clinics. She has experience working in a variety of inpatient/outpatient settings serving individuals across the lifespan while utilizing AAC to address complex communication needs. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Communicative Disorders and Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alabama where she was selected as a Graduate Fellow. She is a recipient of the 2022 ASHA ACE Award. Amanda enjoys mentoring Clinical Fellows and Graduate Students as well as local SLPs and Educators in the areas of AAC and dysphagia management.

Demystifying Voice Therapy

Edie R. Hapner, PhD, CCC-SLP is the Co-Director of the UAB Voice Center, Division Director of Hearing and Speech Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was named the George W. Barber Jr. Foundation Endowed Professor of Otolaryngology. Dr Hapner has served both the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAOHNS) in many leadership capacities. She received the honor of being named Fellow of ASHA and Associate Fellow of America Laryngological Association and she received the highest honors from the American Laryngological Association, the ALA Award. Dr. Hapner has published and presented extensively on aging voice, dystonia and tremor, and adherence to voice therapy. She is the co-editor of Voice Therapy, Clinical Case Studies editions 4, 5 and now 6. She developed the voice curriculum and serves as an instructor for Medbridge, Inc in addition to several ASHA and IALP online clinical instruction modules. Dr Hapner co-developer an evidence based therapy approach for the aging voice, Phonation Resistance Training Therapy, PhoRTE Voice Therapy that is widely used in the treatment of presbyphonia. Dr Hapner’s passion is mentorship and she has mentored 21 consecutive speech pathology clinical fellows in voice and upper airway and countless students

Empowering Child Development: A Holistic Approach to Speech Therapy

Transformative Play: Exploring Play-Based Therapy

Lauren Hastings M.S. CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, private practice owner, business coach, podcaster, and Ph.D. student. In 2016, Lauren began full-time work in her practice, Hear to Speak, in South Fulton (Atlanta) Georgia which serves the pediatric population using a community-based model. In January 2021, she started a coaching business, Hear to Speak Academy, to help other therapists build their private practice. Currently, she serves on the board of directors of the National Black Association of Speech, Language, and Hearing (NBASLH) and was the 2024 convention chair for NBASLH. Her weekly podcast, Speech Tea, expresses her love for her profession and the African-American community. She enjoys co-hosting the podcast with her colleague, Lauren Prather, discussing topics impacting minorities and breaking down special education concepts in understandable terms. Currently, she is obtaining her Ph.D. in Educational Studies in Diverse Populations with a concentration in Health Disparities at the University of Alabama Birmingham and reopened her practice in Birmingham to include advocacy services.

Unlocking Potential with AAC: Empowering the SLP to Break Through Challenges, Enhance Engagement and Achieve Success in Therapy

Dianna Havard Penn, MS, CCC-SLP serves as a Speech Language Pathologist for Children’s Rehabilitation Service, a division of Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Service. She coordinates the Augmentative Communication Technology Clinics for the Montgomery and Opelika offices, as well as staff SLP for a variety of specialty clinics including Cleft Palate and Pediatric Assessment/NICU Follow-Up Clinics. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education (Speech Pathology) from Auburn University and her Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Alabama A&M. She has over 25 years of experience working with individuals with Complex Communication Needs, including 3 years in Bulgaria, where she provided consultative services for local SLPs, established an AAC Resource Center and AAC Loaner Library. She is the recipient of the 2021 SHAA AAC Professional Award. She is a frequent presenter at workshops and conferences on AAC related issues. She enjoys investing in student clinicians and frequently presents at local universities on the use of AAC.

Rethinking Clinical Tools to Guide Audibility-Based Counseling for Children with Mild Bilateral Hearing Loss

Dr. Melissa Henry, AuD CCC-A is a staff research audiologist in the Audibility, Perception and Cognition Lab & the Child Auditory Technology Lab at Boys Town National Research Hospital. She previously worked as a clinical audiologist providing diagnostic and intervention services across the lifespan. She is passionate about improving outcomes for children with hearing loss through advancements in treatment and technology.

Demystifying Voice Therapy

Sarah Hoch, BFA, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of voice and upper airway disorders. She completed her MS from University of Pittsburgh under the mentorship of Dr. Leah Helou and Dr. Jackie Gartner-Schmidt, and her clinical fellowship with Dr. Edie Hapner at the UAB Voice Center, where she was lucky enough to stay on as a full-time clinician. Prior to studying communication disorders, Sarah sang and acted professionally, mostly in musical theatre, for 10 years in theatres across the country. Her clinical and research interests include singing/professional voice, chronic cough, benign vocal fold lesions, muscle tension dysphonia, and deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and vocal tremor.

Applying Ethical Standards in Everyday Practice: ABESPA Update for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Christopher D. Howell, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Alabama Attorney General has worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Alabama Attorney General since 2020, serving in both the Consumer Interest Division and the Criminal Appeals Division. Prior to that, I served as a Staff Attorney for the Supreme Court of Alabama and The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals for almost ten years. I currently serve as legal counsel for five State boards including ABESPA and provide a wide range of litigation and non-litigation services to those boards.

Exploring the Potential of Orofacial Myology

Lauren Hughes M.S. CCC-SLP, COM is the founder and owner of Expressions Pediatric Therapy in Birmingham, AL. A passion for uncovering the root causes of speech and feeding disorders led her to pursue certification as a Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®) through the IAOM. She now treats all her patients through an airway/myofunctional lens, as many patients seeking speech and feeding therapy have co-occurring conditions related to sleep-disordered breathing, dental or orthodontic concerns, and airway issues. Lauren is a continuing education nerd, and has pursued various specialized trainings to more holistically treat patients with speech, feeding, and myofunctional disorders. She works collaboratively with a variety of other professionals including dentists, orthodontists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to provide thorough and individualized care for each patient. She participates in a local study group and enjoys mentoring other SLPs interested in developing a root-cause based treatment style. Lauren is also a member of AAPPSPA and SHAA, and enjoys learning from and collaborating with other private practice owners around the country.

Alabama EHDI: Audiological Considerations for Meeting 1-3-6

Amy Ingram, AuD, CCC-A, received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Auburn University in 2008 and Doctorate of Audiology from the University of South Alabama in 2013. She completed her audiology externship at Children's of Alabama HEAR Center prior to spending four years as a pediatric audiologist in Columbia, South Carolina, Dr. Ingram currently serve as the Audiology Program Specialist with Children's Rehabilitation Service, a division of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama.

Planning for the One Percent: Best Practice Guidance for Students Who Are D/HH

Dr. Julibeth M. Jones AuD, CCC-A, is the Director of Audiology Advancement at the Center for Advancement of NEXTGEN Deaf. She has more than 30 years of experience as an audiologist. Her specialty is providing cochlear implant, hearing aid, and educational audiology services to individuals who have pediatric onset hearing differences (NEXTGEN Deaf). In her years as an audiologist, Dr. Jones has initiated and directed the development and ongoing management of an interdisciplinary, family centered, early intervention program for young children who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH), served in leadership roles on two cochlear implant teams, and led her own private practice. Additionally, she contributed to the development and implementation of a hospital-based pediatric audiology program as both a consultant and a service provider, as well as acted as consultant and mentor in the development of a non-profit pediatric audiology program that included educational and mobile audiology services. Dr. Jones presently serves as a Board Member for Alabama Hands & Voices and is an active participant on the Alabama Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Advisory Panel.

Not Just X's and O's-Looking Beyond the Audiogram in Pediatric Audiology

Suzanne Jones Au.D., CCC-A, is a senior audiologist at Children's of Alabama. She holds a Doctorate of Audiology from Vanderbilt University, where she also completed an U.S. Department of Education Cochlear Implant Traineeship and an Alexander Graham Bell Cochlear Implant Fellowship. She received the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Jay W. Sanders Award for Audiology in 2006. Her clinical practice includes selection and fitting of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and auditory osseointegrated devices for children from birth to age 21.

Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation of Patients with Oral Cavity and Oropharynx Cancers

Dr. Michael Kase DMD, Associate Professor, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, was raised in Park Ridge, IL, and graduated from Marquette University. He completed his Doctorate of Medicine in Dentistry at the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University. Afterwards, he proceeded to obtain certificates in prosthodontics at the Birmingham VA Prosthodontics Clinic as well as at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. He also received his certificate in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and Dental Oncology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Currently, Dr. Kase serves as a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist at UAB Hospital as well as the Assistant and Clinical Director to the UAB Advanced Education in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics. He is an Associate Professor at UAB’s Health Science Foundation as well as the School of Dentistry. He holds appointments at the Kirklin Clinic of UAB, The UAB Dental School, The Callahan Eye Hospital, The UAB O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Graduate School. Dr. Kase specializes in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and Dental Oncology, and he is particularly interested in research involving incorporation of digital technology into his field. This includes digital impression making as well as 3D printing of materials conducive to facial prosthetics.

Planning for the One Percent: Best Practice Guidance for Students Who Are D/HH

Maria Blanco Katz is a Birmingham based wife, mother, and attorney. Inspired by her experiences raising her 18-year-old deaf son, Lawson, she co-founded Alabama Hands & Voices in the Fall of 2017 and serves as its director. Alabama Hands & Voices supports families of deaf and hard of hearing children. She serves on several committees related to Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) and deaf education. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Georgetown University Law Center.

SHAA Quest for the Cup

Carol Koch, EdD, CCC-SLP is a Professor and Graduate Program Director at Samford University in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders. Dr. Koch has been honored with the Fellow of the Association Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She was also recently recognized as a Board Certified Specialist in Child Language. She has worked in pediatrics for most of her clinical career specializing in speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, and feeding. Dr. Koch currently teaches courses in clinical phonetics, speech sound disorders, counseling, and professional issues. She has also published the textbook, Clinical Management of Speech Sound Disorders: A Case-Based Approach, and has recently completed the 2^nd Edition.  She is a co-author of Bjorem Speech Contrast Cues for Speech and Literacy, the Box of _____ series, Mutlisyllabic Words, Prevocalic and Vocalic R, and the “R” Inventory and Facilitating Contexts for ”R” Therapy.

Nurturing the Art of Social Pragmatic Communication

Timothy P. Kowalski, M.A.,CCC-SLP, ASDCS is a clinical specialist in ASD and is internationally known for his work in social-pragmatic communication deficits and high functioning autism spectrum disorders. He is a past president of FLASHA and previously held the positions of Vice President of Professional Practices in Speech-Language Pathology and Vice President of Convention. He holds the FLASHA 2020 Outstanding Service Award, the FLASHA 2010 Clinician of the Year Award and was one of eight national nominees for the 2011 ASHA Louis M. di Carlo Award for Recent Clinical Achievement. He also holds the TEAMS 2000 Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year award for his work with autism in the four-countywide greater Orlando metropolitan area and has served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Orlando Chapter of the Autism Society of America as well as the Central Florida Center for Independent Living.

ASHA’s New Communication and Feeding Developmental Milestones

Stefanie LaManna, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT is a speech-language pathologist and certified neonatal therapist with over a decade of experience working in a variety of pediatric health care settings, primarily in the neonatal ICU. Stefanie currently works for ASHA as an associate director, health care services in SLP, and serves as the team lead on priorities related to pediatric feeding disorder and members working in pediatric health care. Her clinical interests include neonatal/infant airway disorders and utilizing FEES in the pediatric population.

From MBSS to Follow Up: Implementing the IDDSI Framework in Pediatric Dysphagia Management

Morgan Leonard MS CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist currently serving as the Inpatient Speech Supervisor at Children's of Alabama with a passion for high quality, family centered care. In her career at children's, she has served patients in the Intensive Feeding Program, Aerodigestive Clinic, Multidisciplinary Feeding Clinic, inpatient, and outpatient settings with a strong focus on pediatric feeding and swallowing. She enjoys the ever-growing nature of our field and walking alongside families faced with the stressors of feeding and growing their child. As a wife and mother of three, she enjoys time with her family playing outside, attending ball games, pool days, and travel to her hometown, Orange Beach.

Success with Stuttering: Holistic Therapy K-12

Tim Mackesey CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF has been an SLP since 1992. He has earned life-time status as an ASHA Board Certified Specialist in Stuttering. Tim has taught the graduate level stuttering course at Georgia State University. Tim has authored several ASHA peer reviewed articles. He serves as an expert witness in litigation related to TBI and stuttering. Tim integrates leading edge CBT with best practices in traditional speech therapy for stuttering. Tim's personal history of stuttering provides a map for stuttering therapy.

Medical Genetics and its application to hearing and speech

Taylor McClinchey, MS, LCGC is a genetic counselor currently practicing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Children's of Alabama. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia, majoring in Biology and Psychology. Following her passion for genetics, Taylor earned a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from UAB. In her clinical practice, Taylor works across multiple subspecialties, including the cleft and craniofacial clinic, general pediatric and adult genetics, cardiology, and neurology. She is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to patients and families, helping them navigate complex genetic information and make informed decisions. Taylor enjoys collaborating with a diverse range of healthcare providers, patients, and students in the field of genetics. She looks forward to sharing her insights and experiences at The Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama Convention, fostering discussions on the vital role genetics plays in speech and hearing.

A Fresh Start: Reimagining and Rebuilding My Private Practice After the Flood

Dale McClure Floyd, M.Ed., CCC-SLP earned a Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Georgia. With over 25 years of experience in speech language pathology, including working in the public school system and early intervention, as well as 18 years in private practice, she now focuses her therapy services on orofacial myofunctional disorders.

The SLPs' Role in the Cardiopulmonary Population

Laura McGarr, M.S., CCC-SLP, grew up in Birmingham, AL before receiving her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL. After receiving her master's degree in 2018, Laura has worked in the inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, and acute care settings with adult and geriatric patients targeting impairments across the continuum of medical speech-pathology, including: dysphagia, cognitive-communication, motor speech, voice, AAC, tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. Laura is proficient in Modified Barium Swallow Studies, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing, Video Stroboscopy, and intraoperative language mapping and assessment during awake craniotomies for tumor resection. Laura has extensive experience training additional therapists to complete these procedures throughout her time as the Speech Pathology Clinical Specialist at a large, level-one trauma hospital. In her time in the acute care setting, Laura has developed a special interest in working with the cardiopulmonary population, including tracheostomy and mechanically ventilated patients, to target dysphagia and early communication. Laura works closely with Respiratory Therapy, Providers, and the Tracheostomy Team to optimize patient communication while on the ventilator or trach collar. Additionally, Laura has spent years targeting dysphagia with this patient population, including patients post lung transplant.

Ethics in 2025 - Issues Facing Practitioners in the New Year

Katharine Meyer, Esq. is the Senior Director of Ethics at the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In this role, she is an ex-officio member of the ASHA Board of Ethics. Prior to coming to ASHA she worked as an attorney at GKG Law, P.C. in Washington, D.C. for 20 years providing legal counsel to non-profit and certification organizations and assisted in creating and maintaining disciplinary programs. This included drafting and revising Codes of Ethics and internal procedures, training ethics committees and investigatory panels on disciplinary processes, and providing general guidance regarding the complaint process. Katharine has written numerous articles for trade association journals, including Association Trends and Associations Now. She has spoken nationally on issues including credentialing, ethics and intellectual property for organizations such as the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). Katharine graduated from Colgate University (B.A., 1993) and received her J.D. from American University Washington College of Law in 1998.

More Than Sound: What Readers Need to Know About Spelling

Kristi Moncrief MA NBCT CALT- QI, is a special education teacher with 20 years experience. She currently provides reading intervention at Brookwood Forest Elementary in Mountain Brook City Schools. Mrs. Moncrief is the director and owner of Dyslexia Therapy Solutions LLC, where she provides a pathway for training future Certified Academic Language Therapists. She received the esteemed Margaret Spencer Ragland Memorial Award in 2023 and was named Brookwood Forest Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2021. She received certifications: Certified Academic Language Therapist in 2017, National Board Certified Teacher in 2020, and Qualified Instructor in 2022. She has a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University with a specialization in reading and a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College in K-6 Collaborative Education. She is currently in grad school at Samford University studying leadership. Kristi resides with her husband, Bradley and two sons, Doss (17) and Van (14) in Vestavia, Alabama. She enjoys tap dancing, spending time with her family, and cheering for her boys in sports and life.

Powerful connections- A team approach to managing your severe to profound patients featuring Marvel CI

Nancy Morgan, Au.D.  is a Clinical Specialist at Advanced Bionics, LLC for the state of Tennessee. Prior to joining AB, Dr. Morgan was Director of Audiology at St. Thomas Medical Group. She spent almost 8 years in this position, seeing patients and managing the department and its business needs. She also spent 4 years at Phonak, training hearing healthcare professionals on the use and care of hearing devices. Dr. Morgan received a doctoral degree in audiology from Vanderbilt University. She resides outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

Not Just X's and O's-Looking Beyond the Audiogram in Pediatric Audiology

Beth Norris, Au.D., CCC-A, is a pediatric audiologist who has worked in a variety of clinical settings including Children's Hospitals, ENT offices and private practice. She is the owner of Auditory Processing Services, LLC where she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of Auditory Processing Disorders (APD). She also works PRN for Children’s of Alabama and has many years of experience testing infants and children in the ENT clinical setting. She earned a Master of Education in Audiology from the University of Virginia and holds a Doctorate of Audiology from A.T. Still University. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the International Guild of Auditory Processing Specialists (IGAPS) and a past SHAA Board member.

Documentation in Health Care for Speech-Language Pathologists

Daniel E Phillips EdD, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and retired clinical and academic educator. He currently serves as an independent contractor to review claims and clinical documents for an insurance provider. He has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings with both children and adults. A graduate of Auburn University, The University of Memphis, and Samford University, he has taught communication disorders courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Speech Language Pathology in Post-Acute Care…The Rest of the Story

Darlene H. Phillips, MCD, CCC-SLP, began her academic journey at Troy University before transferring to Auburn University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in 1997. She continued her education at Auburn University, completing her Master of Communication Disorders following a clinical externship at Emory University Hospital in 1999. Darlene launched her career in healthcare focusing on acute care and outpatient settings, with a specialization in post-laryngectomy patient care at Regional Medical Center. In 2002, she joined Champion, Partners in Rehab as a staff speech-language pathologist, quickly advancing to become a facility-level rehab director. Her leadership skills were further recognized in 2008 when she transitioned to the corporate management team as a Regional Director. As a Regional Director at Champion, Darlene oversees daily therapy operations in numerous skilled nursing facilities in Alabama, specializing in geriatric rehabilitation services. Her responsibilities extend to clinical operations management, including regulatory compliance, patient-centered outcomes, audit and appeals management, documentation, and education on Medicare and Managed Care payment models. Darlene Phillips continues to contribute significantly to the field of speech-language pathology and healthcare management, ensuring high standards of care and operational excellence within Champion, Partners in Rehab.

Clinical Education Training for AuDs and SLPs Involved in Student Supervision

Ms. Esther Phillips-Embden, MA, CCC/SLP/L serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at Alabama A&M University where she has served in this capcity for 21 years. Ms. Phillips-Embden has worked in varying scopes of practice in speech-language pathology for 27 years and has interests in the areas of literacy development in children and cognitive linguistic impairments that affect impact adult communication. She has participated in literacy research targeting literacy coaching and mindset theory and has also partnered with the University of Florida in Gainesville, to develop a computerized reading evaluation for pre-school children. Ms. Philips-Embden has also conducted research in the areas of student professionalism and ethics and has presented at the state and national levels on supervision practices in CSD and student professional/ethical behavior. In addition to directing the onsite CSD Clinic, Ms. Phillips-Embden is the faculty senate college representative for her Program where she believes a voice can be heard and a difference made.

The Relationship between Race, Rural Living Status, and Access to AAC Services

Lauramarie Pope, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University. She is a clinical SLP and researcher focused on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system design and intervention to maximize communication and participation for children on the autism spectrum with minimal speech. Her research also focuses on promoting literacy development for AAC users, as well as equity in access to AAC systems and services.

AAC Make and Take

Melissa Pouncey, Prior to joining PRC- Saltillo as a Consultant in 2023, Melissa worked for United Ability in Birmingham for 13 years, where she worked in outpatient providing AAC intervention and evaluations, early intervention, and preschool programs. Melissa also worked as a LAMP Trainer through the Center for AAC and Autism, and through this role loved seeing the beautiful work happening across the country. She has served on teams that provided therapy intervention and caregiver training in orphanages in China through a program called unadopted. To Melissa, working as an SLP and now a Consultant, is a way to continue to spread light and joy in her community.

AAC Make and Take

Tiffani Powell, M.S, CCC-SLP is an AAC Solutions Consultant for Tobii Dynavox with 12 years experience as a Speech Language Pathologist in multiple settings prior to her current role. With a clinical background in child and adult populations, she is currently enjoying working with AAC across the lifespan. Tiffani is driven by relationships and connection. The desire to see everyone flourish with the gift of communication- which is the core of all relationships- fuels her to consistently engage with assistive technology in creative ways.

Speech Language Pathology in Post-Acute Care…The Rest of the Story

Ashleigh Pristas, MS CCC SLP, PNAP currently serves as Regional Director of Clinical Services for Restore Therapy, providing clinical support, training, and education for South Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas and Florida. Ashleigh received her Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University in Communication Disorders in 2002 and her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in 2004. She has been an SLP for 20 years and has been employed with Restore Therapy for the last 14 years. Her experience includes acute care, LTACH, and SNF settings. She holds licenses in the States of Alabama and Florida and holds her certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech and Hearing Association. Ashleigh was inducted as a professional member of the National Academies of Practice – Speech Language Pathology Academy in 2022 and serves on the Public Policy and Regulatory Committee. She was selected for Advion’s (formerly the National Association for the Support of Long-Term Care) 2019 Inaugural Emerging Leader Class and is an active member of the Advion IT committee. She serves as a domain expert on the SPLASCH (SPLASCH: Speech, Language, Swallowing, Cognitive Communication and Hearing) use case within the PACIO (Post-Acute CareInteroperability) project to develop an implementation guide for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) APIs. She is a five-time recipient of ASHA’s ACE award for continuing education and has provided trainings and CEU opportunities for Restore and its partners.

Assessment and Treatment of Language-based literacy disorders in school-age children

Laura Promer  M.S. CCC-SLP joined the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Samford University in 2014 and is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the NSSLHA chapter advisor. Laura received her B.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and earned her M.S. in Communication Disorders at the University of Alabama. Mrs. Promer is an Associate in the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and is a certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist (SLDI) through the International Dyslexia Association. She founded Communication and Reading Therapies in 2001 where she evaluates and treats language, reading, writing and related disorders.

You've Almost Earned Your Degree! What's Next? Preparing for Your Future as an SLP!

Mary Ray-Allen, M.Ed., CCC/SLP received her BS in Education from The University of Georgia in 1993 and her master’s degree from Valdosta State University in 1995. Her clinical area of expertise is in adult neurogenic communicative disorders. She served as the Clinic Director of The University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center for 6 years, 2016-2021, overseeing the day-to-day operations and clinical training experiences for graduate and undergraduate CD students. Prior to this, Mary was instrumental in establishing the Adult Neuro Clinic at The University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center, which is a thriving adult program, serving clients with strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and progressive neurological diseases. With 29 years of clinical experience, her interests include language interventions in adults with aphasia and related disorders, psychosocial/functional approaches to intervention, and the effectiveness of social approaches to aphasia intervention. Currently, Mary is the director of the grant-funded project, Bama Perks, a simulated coffee shop that is housed within The UA Speech and Hearing Center that offers a unique social environment for individuals with aphasia to practice and enhance their communication skills. The project was highlighted in The ASHA Leader Academic Edge article, Bama Perks: Beats Aphasia One Sip at a Time, March 2017 issue. Additionally, Mary shared this innovative treatment approach with the Aphasia Access Podcast series, Cups of Confidence, in May of 2019. Bama Perks has received national attention with many university programs aiming to create this unique supplemental treatment in their centers. Mary also has clinical experience working with individuals with dementia and other memory disorders. Mary helped to establish a community service-learning project with Caring Days of Tuscaloosa, an adult day-program for persons with dementia. The project aims are to provide programming for the attendees at Caring Days focusing on socialization, communication, and engagement, clinical training for students, and routine in-services for the administration and client care specialists at Caring Days. Mary has been committed to this partnership with Caring Days for 10+ years. Mary is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and she maintains an Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology (ABESPA) license.

AAC Make and Take

Lynn Roebuck, M.S., CCC-SLP is currently the Lead Speech-Language Pathologist at United Ability and works for Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology (APT AT) which is Alabama's Assistive Technology Act Program. She has specialized in serving children with complex communication needs and augmentative/alternative communication. She is an AAC specialist and is an active presenter to students, families, and professionals.

AAC Make and Take

Elizabeth Stewart, Ph.D., ATP is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Alabama. She collaborates closely with United Ability and Alabama’s Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology (APT AT) program to advance assistive technology initiatives statewide and beyond. Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as an assistant professor at the University of West Georgia, a solutions consultant for Tobii Dynavox, and a special education teacher in Homewood City Schools.

From MBSS to Follow Up: Implementing the IDDSI Framework in Pediatric Dysphagia Management

Meredith M. Street, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an speech-language pathologist currently serving on the inpatient speech team at Children's of Alabama. She has served patients in the Multidisciplinary Feeding Clinic, inpatient, and outpatient settings with a strong focus on pediatric feeding and swallowing. She is passionate about supporting families through patient-centered care and creating collaborative environments to bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient management for patients with PFD and dysphagia. In her free time, Meredith enjoys spending time with her husband, Will, and their two golden retrievers, Scout and Archie, reading, baking, and cycle classes!

ASHA’s New Communication and Feeding Developmental Milestones

Jeannette Wilson Reiff, M.S., CCC-SLP has been an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist specializing in early intervention (EI) for more than 30 years and is dual licensed in the states of California and Virginia. She currently provides EI services to the birth-to-three population in both Arlington and Alexandria City, Virginia. In addition to her role as an EI provider, she is an Associate Director of Clinical Issues in Speech-Language Pathology for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Jeannette started her career in a medical center where she developed a specialization in pediatric feeding disorders, working with infants in the newborn intensive care unit. She continued to work with infants and toddlers and their families as an EI provider with several different regional centers across Northern California. Before moving across the country, Jeannette also served as Clinic Director, lecturer, and clinical supervisor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University, Sacramento, supporting the clinical education of graduate students pursuing their Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and academic coursework for students earning a second bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders.

Meta Therapy Tools for Muscle Tension Dysphonia 

Bambi Reynolds M.S., CCC-SLP is a Speech -Language Pathologist with over 30 years of experience and is currently in private practice in Huntsville Alabama. She is the owner of Verse Inc. which stands for Voice Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services, which was initially co-created with Dr. Mark Hagood. Her office is housed in the Center for Speech and Language. She performs FEES and laryngeal videostroboscopy procedures for four ENT offices in north Alabama. She primarily treats out patients with voice and swallowing disorders including chronic cough, vocal cord dysfunction/EILO/ILO, muscle tension dysphonia in addition to swallowing disorders, myofascial release treatment and Parkinson's disease. She is SPEAK OUT! certified and hosts a virtual LOUD Crowd class on Tuesdays . She also enjoys working with graduate and undergraduate students beginning their careers and introducing them to the wide range of diagnoses and treatments that speech pathologists can see in everyday life as a clinician. She is a graduate of Auburn University and completed her thesis on laryngectomees with Dr. Rebekah Pindzola at the Auburn University Department of Communication Disorders.

Demystifying Voice Therapy: A Case-Based Interactive Workshop

Quinn Rulison MM, MS, CF-SLP, is the incoming Clinical Fellow at the UAB Voice Center. She completed her graduate work in CSD at Vanderbilt University. In addition to her work in speech language pathology, Quinn has an extensive background as a classical singer, performing work from both the operatic and choral repertoires.

Play-based Receptive Language Therapy: More Teaching, Less Testing

Tara Shingleton, M.S., CCC-SLP, earned her BS in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo. She is the owner and founder of Nutrio Pediatric Therapy, a private practice providing in-home therapy services in the Greenville, SC area. Tara specializes in early language, AAC, and pediatric feeding disorder. She is a certified Basic DIRFloortime® Provider, SOS Trained Feeding Therapist, and SOFFI® Trained Professional. Tara is passionate about delivering neurodiversity-affirming, child-led, and play-based therapy. She emphasizes an integrative approach to therapy and fosters collaboration and interdisciplinary care to achieve the best outcomes for children and their families.

Empowering Communication: How and Why to Implement Functional Aphasia Therapy

Kimberly G. Smith, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an associate professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of South Alabama. Her research investigates speech and language processing in neurotypical adults and persons with aphasia, particularly related to reading and processing of multimodal stimuli. She is also interested in person-centered assessment and treatment, as well as the quality of life of persons with aphasia.

Assistant for Hire: Partner with AI to Lighten Your Workload

Maleah Stewart M.Ed., CCC-SLP has been a school-based speech-language pathologist for the past 24 years. She worked 14 years in elementary education and has worked the past 10 years in secondary education. She served as Forsyth County Teacher of the Year in 2017 and was runner-up for Georgia Teacher of the Year in 2019. Maleah earned her Master of Education at Georgia State University and is an active member of the Georgia Teacher of the Year Association.

Dysphagia in the Head & Neck Cancer Population: A Case-Based Approach

Caitlin Stone, MCD, CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist at The University of Alabama at Birmingham within the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Hearing and Speech. She earned her Master of Communication Disorders degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Auburn University in 2008. Early in her career, Caitlin gained diverse experience across various settings, including skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, long-term acute care (LTAC), home health, and acute care environments. Since joining the UAB Department of Otolaryngology in 2017, she has specialized in the intervention and rehabilitation of communication and dysphagia issues related to head and neck cancer. Caitlin's research interests focus on quality of life and outcome measures associated with dysphagia and head and neck cancers. Additionally, she is passionate about mentoring undergraduate, graduate students, and clinical fellows through clinical education. She was honored to serve as a member of the 2023-2024 ASHA Leadership Development Program in Healthcare and currently serves on the 2025 SHAA Convention Planning Committee.

Strengthen Clinical Skills in Determining the Presence of Speech Production Disorder or Difference in Children

Emily Thrower B.S., Graduate Research Assistant and Student Clinician, is a second-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) master’s program at Auburn University. After earning her Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Alabama, Emily was an employed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in an outpatient pediatric clinic. Graduating in May 2025, Emily plans to integrate her knowledge of linguistic diversity into an early intervention SLP career with a specialization in speech, language, feeding, and autism spectrum disorder.

Sentio System: Feel It to Believe It

Dianna Tingle, AuD, CCC-S obtained both her BS is Communication Disorders and Doctor of Audiology at Auburn University. She completed an audiology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center to complete her clinical education. During her clinical practice, she worked in ENT and neurotology offices, working with patients with all types of complex ear disease and diagnoses. Dianna specialized in implantable hearing devices, including bone anchored hearing devices and cochlear implant, from initial testing and diagnosis through fitting, and counseling, and rehabilitation She joined Oticon Medical in 2021 as a Clinical Specialist before moving into the Territory Manager role, where she provides surgical support in the southeastern United States. Recently, Dianna supported the first surgical implantation of the Sentio System in the United States in her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.

Supporting Engagement and Expressive Development (APLL SEED): Graduate Students Coaching Parents in Early Intervention

Emma A. Townsend, M.S., CF-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist at Alpha Kids Therapy Services in Alabaster, AL. She graduated from the University of South Alabama (USA) in May, 2024. While pursuing her master's degree, she completed her master's thesis focused on supporting graduate student instruction in parent-implemented intervention. As part of her research, she was a member of the Autism Pediatric Language and Literacy (APLL) Lab and assisted in developing the program APLL SEED (Supporting Engagement and Expressive Development).

Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation of Patients with Oral Cavity and Oropharynx Cancers

Melissa Tucker Ponto, MS, CCC-SLP , has experience evaluating and treating disorders of speech, language, and swallowing in adult populations in a variety of medical settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient multidisciplinary clinic settings. She earned her BA at the University of South Carolina in 2006 and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee in 2015; she completed a Clinical Fellowship in acute care at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon in 2016. She was previously the Lead Speech Pathologist at Providence Portland Medical Center, and currently works in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she primarily treats dysphagia and alaryngeal voice in patients with oral, head and neck cancers. She completed the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s 2017-2018 Leadership Development Program in Healthcare.

More Than Sound: What Readers Need to Know About Spelling

Claire M. Tynes, M.S.,CCC-SLP, CALT works as a reading interventionist for Mountain Brook Schools. With 29 years’ experience as a school-based SLP and interventionist, Mrs. Tynes is passionate about serving students with communication needs, especially in the area of literacy. Mrs. Tynes graduated from Hollins College with a B.A. in English, and the University of Montevallo with a M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Mrs. Tynes completed certification as a Certified Academic Language Therapist to provide multisensory instruction for the remediation of dyslexia and related disorders. An active member of SHAA since 1995, Mrs. Tynes is currently the Vice-President for Government Affairs for SHAA.

Powerful connections- A team approach to managing your severe to profound patients featuring Marvel CI

Samantha Wallenstein, Au.D.  is an Associate Clinical Specialist in the South Central Region at Advanced Bionics, LLC. Prior to joining AB, Dr. Wallenstein worked at Children's ENT Specialists in Knoxville, TN where she specialized in pediatric diagnostics and cochlear implant case management. Dr. Wallenstein received her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Tennessee and currently resides in Knoxville, TN

Alabama EHDI: Audiological considerations for meeting 1-3-6

Mary Ellen Whigham, ADN, RN, is a registered nurse with received her associate degree in nursing from Mobile College (currently the University of Mobile) in Mobile, Alabama in 1984. She is currently employed by the ADPH as the EHDI Coordinator and directly supervise three audiology graduate student interns. She brings over 38 years of nursing experience and has worked in various fields such as intensive care; emergency room; child psych; cardiac care; urology; orthopedic care; home health/hospice care; dialysis; doctor’s office manager; and infection disease coordinator with ADPH for 18 months prior to working with the ANSP. In addition, she is a mother of a child with late effects of hearing loss diagnosed at age 8 due to risk factors of prematurity prior to newborn screening.

Empowering Communication: How and Why to Implement Functional Aphasia Therapy

Brent Wiles, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a clinical instructor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of South Alabama. He educates undergraduate and graduate students in the assessment and treatment of both adult and pediatric clients in the classroom and through direct clinical instruction in the USA Speech and Hearing Center’s outpatient clinic. His current clinical practice focuses on adult and pediatric speech and language disorders as well as adult dysphagia. He also supervises a therapeutic support group for persons with aphasia. Before joining the faculty at South Alabama in 2018, he worked in adult inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.

AAC Make and Take

Brooke Williams, M.S, CCC-SLP AAC Consultant, Cook AAC & Rehab Brooke has over a decade of clinical experience and is dedicated to empowering individuals with communication disorders. She is passionate about supporting clinical SLPs as they navigate the complexities of obtaining speech generating devices for patients in need. Brooke holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and a Master's degree from Alabama A&M University, both in Communicative Disorders. Prior to joining Cook AAC and Rehab as an AAC consultant, she gained valuable experience in private practices, non-profit clinics, early intervention home settings, and K-12 schools. She believes that building strong and meaningful relationships, with a heavy emphasis on team approach strategies, is essential for progress. In her free time, Brooke enjoys the beauty of nature, indulging in good books, and spending time with her pets.

Demystifying Voice Therapy

Jacob Wright MM, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist and singing voice specialist at the UAB Voice Center. He completed his graduate studies in CSD at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and his clinical fellowship in voice and upper airway disorders at the UAB Voice Center.His clinical interest includes care for the professional voice, gender-affirming voice care, and the psychological impact of voice and upper airway disorders. Jacob brings an extensive performance and voice teaching background in classical and musical theatre singing to his work as a voice specialized speech language pathologist.