President: 
Heather Balog, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
President-Elect: 
Julie Pratt, M.S., CCC-SLP
Past President: 
Deanna Klein, M.A., CCC-SLP
Secretary:
Beth Economou, M.A., CCC-SLP
Treasurer:
Sherry Riedel, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for Advocacy: 
Kathy Rigley-Rowell, M.A., 
   CCC-SLP                           
VP for Audiology Services:
Angelique Boerst, M.A., CCC-A
VP for Membership:
Gordon Krainen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
VP for Professional Development & Education: 
Terry Lange-Winkel, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP-Elect for Professional Dev & Education: 
Emmylou Garza-Prisby, M.A., 
   CCC-SLP
VP for Public Relations:
Melissa Witsil, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for SLP/Healthcare:
Carolyn Doty,, M.A., CCC-SLP
Julie Kiefer Eaman, M.A., CCC-SLP
VP for SLP/Public Schools:
Ellen Gehl, M.A., CCC-SLP
Lindsey Halpin, M.S., CCC-SLP










The MSHA Executive Board:
Above, standing l-r: Beth Economou,
Melissa Witsil, Gordon Krainen,
Angelique Boerst, Julie Kiefer
Eaman, Carolyn Doty,
Terry Lange-Winkel, and
Emmylou Garza-Prisby.
Seated, l-r: Kathy Rigley-
Rowell, Deanna Klein, Heather
Balog, Julie Pratt, and Sherry
Riedel. 

MSHA Advisory Assembly
Audiology Practice: 
Angelique Boerst, M.A., CCC-A
Continuing Education:
Rosalyn Davis, M.A., CCC-SLP
Ethics & Standards: 
Mary Peterson, Au.D., CCC-A
Cary Cekola, M.A., CCC-SLP
Student Affairs:
Sarah Pray, M.A., CCC-SLP
MSHA Members-at-Large:
S.E. Michigan:
Theresa Sutton, M.A., CCC-SLP
S.W. Michigan:
Jonathan Moyle, M.A., CCC-SLP
N.W. Michigan:
Laura Lenkey, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
N.E. Michigan: Open
Upper Peninsula:
Rachel Denis, M.A., CCC-SLP
Member-at-Large Representing Students:
Greg Spray, B.A.,
ASHA Advisory Councilors:
SLP:  Karen Kurcz, M.A., CCC-SLP
AUD:  Margot Beckerman, Au.D., 
   CCC-A

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   We invite you to submit a Call for Papers for inclusion in the 2014 MSHA Annual Conference March 27-29, 2014 at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Share your knowledge and expertise with your colleagues!  Go to the MSHA Call for Papers and submit to the MSHA Office by November 8, 2013 for professionals, and January 27, 2014 for Student Poster Session submissions.  Thank you!

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Dawn Kutney, Editor
790 W.Lake Lansing Rd. Suite 500-A
East Lansing, Michigan  48823
email address:  msha@att.net
Website:
www.michiganspeechhearing.
org

 

Mark Your Calendars!  Upcoming Events & Meetings

October 11
MSHA Executive Board and Advisory Assembly meeting, East Lansing, Michigan. CONTACT: msha@att.net

October 17-18
8th Annual MAC on M.A.C. conference held at the East Lansing Marriott Hotel in East Lansing.  CONTACT: Michigan Audiology Coalition at www.michiganaudiologycoalition.org

October 19
The Matlock Speech-Language Pathology Lectures Series Optimizing Executive Functions Through Routines and Environmental Supports sponsored by DMC and the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, featuring speaker Jerry Hoepner, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, University of Wisconsin, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., held at the Rehab Institute of Michigan, 261 Mack Blvd., Detroit. CONTACT: www.regonline.com/RIMeducation
or Julie Kiefer Eaman jeaman@dmc.org


November 14-16
ASHA Convention, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois.  CONTACT:  www.asha.org

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Congratulations to MSHA member Yvette Hyter, Ph.D.,CCC-SLP, Western Michigan University, who will receive the distinction of ASHA Fellow at the Honors Ceremony at ASHA, November 15 in Chicago.  Also receiving this award is Judy VanderWoude, from Calvin College.  Fellowship is one of the highest honors ASHA can bestow.

ASHA has a new campaign which you all may find of help for your clients, patients, or students.  Check out this link:

http://identifythesigns.org/?utm_source=asha&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_campaign=freshideas092413
 
Grand Valley State University is pleased to announce that the inaugural cohort to its graduate program began this fall. GVSU received its initial accreditation status from ASHA in August.  Dan Halling, Ph.D., chair of the department urges us to check out the website at www.gvsu.edu/csd
Faculty openings exist at the university.  Contact Jean Silbar at silbarje@gvsu.edu

Congratulations to the following MSHA Members who received the ACE (Award for Continuing Education) from ASHA.  The ACE Award is a formal recognition of professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to lifelong learning by earning 7.0 CEUs (70 contact hours) within a 36-month period.

Karen Al-Saadi, Ann Arbor
Elwood Anderson, Alpena
Erica Barker-Erlewein, Berkley
Tausha Beardsley, Farmington Hills
Susan Bennefield, Sterling Heights
Philomena Clark, Detroit
Jacqueline Collins, Livonia
Sheryl Covington, Detroit
James Fioritto, Brownstown Twnship
Celeste Gerlach, Lansing
Julie Higginbotham, Macomb
Angela Marshall, Sterling Heights
Carol McCarus, East Jordan
Donna Payne, Detroit
Robin Pollens, Kalamazoo
Katherine Rigley-Rowell, Clawson
Helen Smiley, Bloomfield Hills
Katy Spedoske, Lansing
Margaret Tiner, Dearborn
Christine Trempus, Grosse Pte Fms
Sharon Van Tuyl, Sterling Heights
Beverly Walton, Coldwater
Melissa Witsil,  Pleasant Ridge

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By Gordon Krainen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, 

   There are many choices in life.  I've been thinking about this topic because I'm on the crest of my 40- year high school reunion.  That kind of milestone makes one think of the choices we have made and how they have worked out. 

   Choices like relationships and careers are probably the two biggest choices that we make during our younger years.  A big question to ponder is; did I make the right choice?  Did I go in the direction I had hoped for?
 
   I recall when I was starting out as a Speech-Language Pathologist I wasn't quite sure of my career choice.  Salaries were low and there wasn't a whole lot of interest or support for our profession.  Since then, the profession of communication disorders seems to have exploded, and there is a lot more public interest for what we do. 

   Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot of misperception of our roles, but it is a lot better than it was when I began my career as a Speech-Language Pathologist.  The more I work with persons with a communication loss or disorder, the more I continue to find that this is a rewarding career.  Sometimes it's hard to see the good we can do - it can be slow.  Sometimes it takes a client coming back years later and thanking us. 

   Another choice we make is who we associate with.  I can think of no other group of people in Michigan that is better for a person in our field to be associated with, than those of MSHA.  Please believe me that MSHA has the best and the brightest communication professionals belonging to it.  These are individuals are truly dedicated to the profession and want to learn and promote what we do.  I'm not saying that those who don't belong don't share those qualities, but those who belong have that certain something extra that drives them.  If you belong to MSHA you have access to professionals from all over the state.  You are connected.  You have access to a great conference at a reasonable cost.  You have political support.  You have employment support.  You have information support.  We have strength in numbers.

   This year we all have to become licensed by the State. This will help to promote our professional skills and keep our profession viable in this state.  We are there to help you through this process also.  MSHA is the right choice for any communication disorder professional in Michigan.

   So how about you?   Did you make the right choice(s)?  It's a good thing to think about every once in a while.  One thing I know, you made a good one by joining MSHA.  

   Note:  Your MSHA Dues Renewal Cards have been sent out - thanks to all of you who have renewed.  Don't forget if you return it to MSHA by November 1, you can save $5.

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   Please join us as we gather in Chicago at the ASHA Convention for the State of Michigan Open House reception, Friday, November 15, 8:30 - 10:30 pm, at the Palmer House Hotel, in the Adams Room, located at 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois.  A cash bar and appetizers will be available.  Many thanks to this year's Open House Sponsors:

MSHA (Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
Western Michigan University, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology
Central Michigan University, Department of Communication Disorders
Eastern Michigan University, Speech-Language Pathology Program/Department of Special Education
Wayne State University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
and Associate Sponsor:  Grand Valley State University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

   Contact the MSHA office for more information.  Going to the State of Michigan Open House is a great way to enjoy the camaraderie of friends and colleagues, and connect with old friends from around the country.  We will also be able to honor this year's ASHA Fellows from Michigan Yvette Hyter and Judy VanderWoude.

   Everyone is welcome to this year's State of Michigan Open House and we look forward to seeing your during the ASHA Convention in Chicago in November!

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   We hope you are all finding the process to obtain your SLP license  smooth and easy!  Remember that the deadline for all SLPs to be licensed is December 7, 2013.  It has been suggested by LARA that SLPs submit their applications by mid-October to give the department time to process the application in time for the 12-7-13 deadline

Above l-r: Greg Spray and Kathy Rigley-Rowell

      Thanks to all of you out there who participated in this year's MSHA Legislative Day at the Capitol Thursday, May 9, 2013. The need to educate the legislators as well as the general public, about what we do continues to be necessary and important.  We had several enlightening conversations and we thank all who shared in this fun and interesting event.  Here are some photos from the day.














   







 
Here again are some links to sites related to some of our fields' current "hot topics." I look forward to learning and advocating with you!

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Speech-Language_Pathology_Full_App_Pkt_371057_7.pdf

http://www.michigan.gov/autism/0,4848,7-294-63681---,00.html

http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2013/130101/From-My-Perspective--Take-Our-Licensure-Away-No-Way.htm

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The Michigan Speech-Hearing Foundation (MSHF) will be giving out scholarships in early 2014 to graduate students in Michigan's universities.  Board President Ellen Fairbrother, M.A., CCC-SLP, (shown left with board member Rick Merson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP) said that the MSHF will "continue the mission of the MSHF to give funds to help the new generation of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology professionals in Michigan." 

   Board members Judy Uznis-Silverman, M.A., CCC-SLP and Anitta Orr, M.A., thanked all those who donated items, or bought items at the MSHF Silent Auction held at the MSHA Conference every year.  This is the base of our scholarship funds.  Plans are already underway for this year's Silent Auction at MSHA in Kalamazoo, March 27-29, 2014.

   MSHA also gives out scholarships of $500.00 to 2 MSHA Graduate Students each year and urges all students in graduate programs to go to the MSHA website at www.michiganspeechhearing.org where you'll find the Student Scholarship Application Form.

 
    The 2013-14 school year is well under way, hard to believe its early October already.  We are pleased to introduce Lori Tavtigian, M.A., CCC-SLP, New Boston-Huron School District, and Laurie Norman, M.A., CCC-SLP, Flat Rock Community Schools, who now serve as the co-chairs of the Public School Committee.  They are taking over the reins from Lindsey Halpin, M.S, CCC-SLP and Ellen Gehl, M.A.,CCC-SLP who continue to be the Co-Vice Presidents for Public Schools.  They will be running the upcoming PSC meetings.   If you would like to join us, send your Skype name to mshapsc@yahoo.com
  


Above: Future SLPs at MSHA 2013

   Its never too early to nominate for the MSHA Public School Program of the Year Award.  Additional information and the nomination form are on MSHAs website at http://www.michiganspeechhearing.org/poty_nomination_form.php 

   Take this chance to recognize an outstanding individual, or public school program in the state of Michigan.  The award can be given to any provision of service to the speech, language and hearing impaired in the schools.  This can include an entire department, a sub-unit of a department, an itinerant program, a clinic, a professional's program in one school or in one classroom.  It might be a multi-professional team effort.  It could be a department from a large city district or one individual professional's program from an Upper Peninsula village.  At least one individual participating in the program must be a MSHA member.  Please consider making a nomination; last year we did not give out the award, as we had no nominations.  We know high quality programs/professionals are out there, wed like to recognize them. 
   
  Our upcoming meetings are:

November 22, 2013
February 21, 2014
March 28, 2014 at the MSHA conference
   
   Our meetings will be held via Skype, from 2 p.m.-3 p.m.  The March 28 meeting will be held in person, at the MSHA conference in Kalamazoo.  For more information on joining us for the PSC meetings, please go to:
http://www.michiganspeechhearing.org/schoolbased_professionals.php

   Finally, here is a helpful website for information on Medicaid Billing in the schools:  http://www.asha.org/policy/GL2005-'0056.htm

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Save the Dates for the upcoming MSHA Events:

MSHA Annual Conference, March 27-29, 2014
Radisson Hotel, Kalamazoo, Michigan

MSHA Annual Conference, March 26-28, 2015
Radisson Hotel and Lansing Center, Lansing, Michigan

MSHA Annual Conference 2016: Date & Location to be announced soon!

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