ArkSHA 4th Quarter Newsletter

COMMUNICATION CONNECTION

A quarterly publication of the Arkansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Vol. 21, Issue 4

President's Message

Aleecia Starkey, MSP, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as president of ArkSHA. I have learned so very much during this year. I have had a wonderful board to serve with me this year. We should all give a big “thank you” to Rachel Glade, who worked long and hard to get updated policies and procedures in place based on her extensive work in getting ArkSHA’s bylaws revised to better reflect the service provisions of today’s speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Miriam pulled off a powerful convention that provided us with both educational and social opportunities (in person)!

Our Arkansas legislature began their session in January and oh my goodness, what a session it was. Thanks to Shelly Keller and Charia Hall for their leadership on the governmental affairs committee. This committee along with Randy and Courtney, worked very hard to help pass important legislation and helped us to prevent some legislation from being passed that might have been detrimental to our patients, clients, and students.

I am grateful to have worked with Marilyn Portfield, ArkSHA’s Executive Director. She is amazing and works diligently to ensure the smooth running of ArkSHA’s office. Shayla deserves credit for making sure each newsletter was developed, edited, and gotten out to members. Danni, as the convention chair for 2022 has already begun to work to bring a fantastic team together in preparation for the 2022 convention.

Last but by no means least, it has been my pleasure to work and get to know Amy Faith, the incoming ArkSHA president for 2022. Amy has already done yeoman’s work to promote the vision and mission of ArkSHA.

I leave as your 2021 president, knowing ArkSHA is in good hands!

Message from President-Elect, Amy Faith

ArkSHA Members,

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! I am very much looking forward to serving as ArkSHA President in 2022. It is going to be an exciting year with lots of things happening all year long! Just to mention a few -- we are continuing to advocate legislatively for school-based SLPs, exploring the option of joining the Interstate Compact for AUDs and SLPs, and making plans to expand our Continuing Ed offerings beyond the Convention. Speaking of the Convention, I have a feeling that this year is going to be one of the best yet, so go ahead and make plans to join us in October 2022!

The best part of my job is being able to help my SLP & AUD colleagues, so do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time!

Renew dues for 2022

Make sure you continue to receive the ArkSHA newsletter and access to the 'members only' section of the website by renewing your dues today!

Beginning in 2022 your membership is good for one full year from the month you join/renew!

RENEW ONLINE TODAY

2021 ArkSHA Board of Directors

President

Aleecia Starkey

Retired

President-Elect

Amy Faith

Rogers Public Schools

Treasurer

Kelli Watts

Baptist Health Rehab

Secretary

Shayla McCullough

Little Rock School District

Vice President for CE

Miriam Stafford

AR Children's Hospital NWA

Vice President-Elect for CE

Danni Welch

Mobile FEES of NWA

VP for Speech Pathology

Shelly Keller

Miracle Kids Success Academy

VP for Audiology & Hearing

Charia Hall

UAMS

Immediate Past President

Rachel Glade

University of Arkansas

Thank you to Harding University for making these recorded sessions possible!

2021 ArkSHA Award Recipients

At the 2021 ArkSHA Convention, ArkSHA members were recognized for years of hard work and dedication to the field. Kami Rowland received the ArkSHA Clinical Achievement award, Dr. Chris Holyfield received the ArkSHA Research Award, and Dr. Fran Hagstrom received the ArkSHA Honors of the Association award.

Kami Rowland was the recipient of the ArkSHA Award for Clinical Achievement. Despite the pandemic, Kami served the profession and the families she works within numerous ways in recent years. She helped to re-establish Special Olympics at Hall High School, implemented Peer Buddies in conjunction with Special Olympics, created a program to encourage acts of kindness called “Do Good December” and also received grant funding to host a prom for the special education program. She also helped establish a leadership program at Little Rock Southwest High School. Kami credits her success in part to her loving parents and to her childhood speech-language pathologist, Mrs. Eunice Thrasher (current principal at Dunbar Magnet Middle School), who assisted her to overcome what Kami describes as a profound stuttering disorder as a child.

Dr. Chris Holyfield was recognized with the ArkSHA Research Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the research literature related to the professions of speech pathology or audiology. She was recognized with this award for her continued intervention research focused on improving communication and language outcomes for individuals with developmental and multiple disabilities. Her work has helped develop and evaluate novel instructional strategies and technological innovations to support individuals with developmental disabilities in communicating. She collaborates with researchers throughout the country toward that end. Dr. Holyfield has presented her work internationally and nationally and has published in a number of high-impact journals. Importantly, she has also collaborated with organizations in the state of Arkansas to support the translation of research to practice within the state.

Dr. Fran Hagstrom was selected to receive the state association’s highest distinction, the Honors of the Association Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of audiology or speech pathology over the course of their career. Dr. Hagstrom established one of the longest-running and most successful study abroad programs on campus, Health Teams Abroad – Sweden, has mentored over 50 undergraduate Honors students, has presented and taught nationally and internationally, has served the campus and her profession in a variety of leadership positions including being the former Assistant Dean of Health Professions for the College of Education and Health Professions (COEHP), and has received millions in grant funding over her career. Recently, Dr. Hagstrom was awarded the Distinguished Teaching and Research Award from the Honors College and was the 2021 recipient of the College of Education and Health Professions Honors Faculty Award.

ArkSHA connects audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and future professionals through advocacy, education, mentoring and networking. ArkSHA always seeks to highlight the unique and meaningful work of its members. Check out the website to see the full list of ArkSHA Awards and consider nominating yourself or a colleague today.

NEW 2022 Officers

President-

Elect

Elizabeth Cleveland, PhD, CCC-SLP

VP for SLP Services

Cindy Watson, MEd, CCC-SLP

VP-Elect for

Tim Chance, MS, CCC-SLP

Treasurer

Jodi Hood, MS, CCC-SLP

Donate to ArkSHA

Betty Bass Graduate Student Scholarship

ArkSHA Charitable Fund

Renamed in memory of Betty Bass in October 2017, the Betty Bass Graduate Student Scholarship is given to individuals enrolled in a Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program in the state of Arkansas.

Donations from our members allow us to offer this each year. This is separate from the ArkSHA Charitable Fund.

Donate to Scholarship Fund

In December of 2019, the ArkSHA board started the ‘ArkSHA Charitable Fund’ with the Arkansas Community Foundation to provide our members and supporters with a tax-deductible way to support ArkSHA’s initiatives. This will allow ArkSHA to provide funds for educational/research purposes to a selected 501(c)3 as requested and the board sees fit.

Donate to Charitable Fund

Member of the Moment

Student

Cassie Price

-Student at University of Arkansas

Cassie has agreed to serve as the ArkSHA Student Liaison for the University of Arkansas this year and has already attended ArkSHA Committee meetings to get involved. She has been instrumental in our process for updating the ArkSHA legislative advocacy website and is an outstanding undergraduate student. Cassie is well on her way to being an excellent SLP as well as an advocate for our profession.