Blogs

Published in the September 2024 issue of the ISHA Voice.

• Dr. Angela Riccelli and Dr. Nicole Bing, ISHA DEI Committee co-chairs, along with colleagues from Governors State University Department of Communication Disorders, Department of Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy, were awarded a DEI Mini-Grant from the Governors State University Chief Diversity Officer on behalf of the DEI Task Force.  The task force has accepted the proposal entitled, “Supporting Inclusion and Equity in the Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement of Students: SIERRA.” Congratulations to Dr. Riccelli and Dr. Bing on this grant!
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab SLP Cultural Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (SLP-CDIAR) Task Forcehas been included in the new ASHA Initiative Have You Heard?.  This initiative created a digital platform focused on reducing systemic and organizational barriers following feedback from ASHA members.  SLP-CDIAR submitted their initiatives and achievements.  Caroline Hague took the lead on communications with ASHA regarding this.  Numerous ISHA members, including Elissa Larkin, Abby Jeppson, and Dr. Treasyri Williams Wood, have been involved with this task force.  Congratulations to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab SLP Cultural Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Task Force. 
• ASHA has developed a special designation, “Visionary,” for presentations at the 2024 ASHA Convention.  Dr. Brenda Gorman, Multicultural Issues Committee co-chair, will be co-presenting a session entitled, ASHA-PAHO Collaborations: Recommendations for Achieving and Maintaining Sustainable Collaborations, and it has been designated as a Visionary session.  This designation has been given because it exemplifies forward-thinking and has the potential to significantly impact the field.  Sessions designated as “Visionary” are addressing future challenges, shaping industry practices, and leading transformative initiatives.  Congratulations to Dr. Gorman, and her co-authors, Krysta Green, Lily Waterston, Gloria Weddington, Ekaterina Bruno, Karen Brown, and Nancy Aarts on this recognition. 
• Dr. Nicole Bing, DEI Committee co-chair, has been presented with a 2024 Excellence Award by Governors State University President, Dr. Cheryl Green, and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Beverly Schneller during the university’s Convocation Ceremony.  Congratulations to Dr. Bing on this recognition. 
• Tom Parton, a past ISHA president and Honors Committee co-chair, was recently on the De Facto Leaders podcast hosted by Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan to talk about dyslexia mandates.  This was part of the National Literacy Month Series in partnership between Be Podcast Network and Reading is Fundamental.  Listen to this episode here. 
• Carrie Kerr, ISHA’s State Advocate for Reimbursement to ASHA, along ISHA’s Billing and Reimbursement leadership and members, met with ASHA Advocacy at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to discuss issues affecting private practice including payment cuts and administrative burden for small practices. 

If you, your colleague, or friend is recognized for their work within the professions, please let ISHA know at ishasocialmedia@gmail.com in order for the association to recognition their achievements!