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

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.

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.

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

Sandy Broderway MS, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and the Founder and CEO of National TeleTherapy Resources (NTR). Her mission at NTR is to unlock untapped potential by inspiring self-confidence in clients. Sandy obtained her bachelor’s degree from Troy University and her master’s from the University of Montevallo. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Under her leadership, NTR aims to serve 3,000 students and achieve 6,000 therapy goals each year by 2029. The company’s vision is to inspire self-confidence so that every child becomes a successful and empowered individual. On a personal note, Sandy is a wife and mother who enjoys gardening and watching the occasional Hallmark movie. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children through innovative teletherapy solutions.

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

Planning for the One Percent

Dr. 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 a research associate in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama in the Department of Special Education and Multiple Abilities and at Samford University in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Carden is a board member of the Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DCD) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD). She also serves on Alabama’s Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) as a parent of a child with hearing loss. 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.

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.

Autism Strategies and Neurodiversity Affirming Practices

Nuts and Bolts of Apraxia Therapy

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, has 16 years of school-based therapy experience as a speech-language pathologist. In addition to providing virtual therapy she is a team lead for National Teletherapy Resources. 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. Alana’s work in the public school setting has provided an opportunity to serve students with a variety of communication disorders using a multidisciplinary approach along with collaboration with families to increase communication across all settings. She values supervising and mentoring speech-language pathologists by providing experience-based knowledge and fostering a passion for the field.

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.

Sharing the Love

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.

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 Edie Hapner, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Endowed Professor of Otolaryngology, the Co-Director of the UAB Voice Center and the Director of Hearing and Speech in the Department of Otolaryngology. She is the Co-Editor of Voice Therapy Clinical Case Studies, developed the voice curriculum for Medbridge Education Inc and is the co-developer and founder of PhoRTE Voice Therapy LLC.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Understanding Psychiatric Diagnoses

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.

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.

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.

Magical Morphemes

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.

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.

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 28 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.

Meta Therapy Tools for Muscle Tension Dysphonia (out patient, private practice)

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, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist serving the upstate of South Carolina at a non-profit outpatient clinic. Tara has special interests in early intervention, neurodiversity-affirming care, play-based therapy, and pediatric feeding disorder. Tara is a Basic DIRFloortime® Provider, SOS Trained Feeding Therapist, and SOFFI® Trained Professional.

Collaborative Goal Writing with Person with Aphasia

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 in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Hearing and Speech. She attended Auburn University and graduated in 2008 with her Master of Communication Disorders degree in Speech-Language Pathology. In her early career, she gained experience in a variety of settings including skilled nursing and rehab, LTAC, home health, and acute care. She joined the UAB Department of Otolaryngology in 2017 where her primary focus is on speech, swallowing, and voice intervention and rehabilitation related to head and neck cancer and/or surgery.

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.

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.

Demystifying Voice Therapy: A Case-Based Interactive Workshop

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.