Convention Presenters

Debra Abel, AuD, spent 13 years in private practice in Alliance, Ohio after moving an existing practice from the Alliance Eye and Ear Clinic, where she was employed for 14 years, taking the ear, nose and throat (ENT) practice with her. She also supported two ENTs in Poway, California, for eight years. She is the manager of coding and contracting services for Audigy and has authored several chapters in Plural Publication texts and is the editor of The Essential Guide to Coding in Audiology: Coding, Billing and Practice Management, published in December 2017.

Meredith Avren, MEd, CCC-SLP, is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist, public speaker, author and YouTuber.  She is known for her workbooks on speech sound disorders and her passion for the R sound. Meredith worked in a metro Atlanta public school for more than 10 years, primarily at the elementary level. Meredith and her husband Josh run their small business, Peachie Speechie. When she isn’t busy creating speech therapy materials, Meredith enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her children.

Vrushali Angadi, PhD, CCC-SLP, earned her doctoral degree in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of Mumbai, India. She is currently an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and co-director of the Laryngeal and Speech Dynamics laboratory at the University of Kentucky. Clinically, Dr. Angadi manages voice, swallowing and upper airway disorders and is the clinical education coordinator at the University of Kentucky Voice and Swallow Clinic. Her research interests include evidence-based, post-treatment voice rehabilitation in the head and neck cancer population and developing technology to improve accessibility to voice therapy services.

Maria Bane, PhD, CCC-SLP earned her doctoral degree in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky in 2021, under the mentorship of Dr. Joseph Stemple. She completed her clinical fellowship in the acute care setting at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Maria is currently an assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University in the Department of Clinical Therapeutic Programs, where her duties include teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels, clinical instruction and research. Her research has been supported by a TL1 pre-doctoral training grant and by ASHA’s Advancing Academic Research Careers Award.

Carmin Bartow, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech pathologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience treating patients in acute care. She has special interest in swallowing and swallowing disorders, head and neck cancer and tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. She maintained board certification in swallowing and swallowing disorders for 10 years and taught dysphagia as an adjunct instructor at Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University. She is currently a clinical specialist with Passy-Muir.

Bethany Berry, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, earned her Master of Arts degree in communication disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. She has worked across the continuum of care providing skilled speech language services from acute care, outpatient, home health and skilled nursing settings. She is a consultant for Guidepoint Global and has previously served on the board of the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association in multiple capacities. Bethany enjoys lifelong learning and mentorship having presented at the state and national level. Bethany resides in Stanford, Kentucky with her husband and three children.

Brittany Brose, AuD, CCC-A, is a clinical audiologist working for University of Louisville Health and Norton Children’s Medical Group. Dr. Brose is the current audiology clinic director at University of Louisville Health. She is also an adjunct professor at University of Louisville where she teaches the vestibular assessment and management as well as the Medical Audiology courses. Her interests include vestibular assessment and management, adult and pediatric diagnostic assessments and hearing aids.

Alison Brown, EdD, CCC-SLP, earned her Doctor of Education degree in P-20 and Community Leadership from Murray State University, her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Kentucky and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Murray State University. She is currently an assistant professor in Murray State University’s Center for Communication Disorders, where her roles include teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses, clinical supervision and research. She has worked in a variety of settings throughout her career, including acute care, outpatient, private practice and schools. While her clinical experience and interests are broad, Alison’s research interests include literacy and language disabilities and voice.

Becky Brown, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who currently specializes in evaluating and treating young children, ages birth to three in Kentucky. She found her passion working with young children alongside their families.  She firmly believes that early intervention is the key to progress and success.  Becky earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders and a Master of Science in speech-language pathology from Western Kentucky University. Becky holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in the state of Kentucky.  Becky founded ASCB Therapy and is both an evaluator and a consultant.  When consulting with professionals, Becky provides individualized recommendations to support them so they may enhance their skills to the benefit of the children they serve.  Becky delivers evidence-based, clinically relevant information regarding the assessment and treatment of young children.  Her advice on treatment methods is used by early intervention professionals and speech-language pathologists in graduate training programs.  She has dedicated her professional career to helping babies achieve their maximum potential while empowering their parents and caregivers. When Becky is not playing on the floor with her little ones or writing their reports, she is at home with her husband, Steve, and their children, Lexi, Sophia and Connor. Her hobbies include exercising, reading books, watching movies, boating, vacationing, trying different fresh roasted coffee beans and on occasion a variety of bourbons.

Miranda (Mindy) Bullock-Davidson, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a 2010 graduate of the University of Kentucky Communication Sciences and Disorders program. She is employed by Ephraim McDowell Health and works in the acute care and outpatient setting providing assessment and treatment for adults and geriatrics with an emphasis on swallowing disorders. Mindy has presented at the Kentucky Speech- Language-Hearing Association (KSHA) convention and also at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention. Mindy shares her clinical knowledge by supervising graduate students as well as mentoring clinical fellows. Mindy resides in Danville, Kentucky with her husband and children.

Matthew Bush, MD, is the vice chair for research and a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. He holds the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Endowed Chair in Rural Health Policy. He earned his medical degree from Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia. He completed his otolaryngology residency at the University of Kentucky. He completed a post-doctoral research fellowship and his otology, neurotology and cranial base surgery fellowship at The Ohio State University. He also completed a doctorate in clinical and translational science in 2017 and a Master of Business Administration in 2020, both from the University of Kentucky. His research is focused on hearing health care disparities. He serves as the principal investigator of several National Institutes of Health funded community-based trials to promote hearing health care access and utilization among underserved populations.

Sarah Campbell, PhD, CCC-SLP,  is the interim director for inpatient rehabilitation and speech-language pathology (SLP) services for University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare, where she has provided clinical services as well as administrative oversight to the inpatient and outpatient SLP services for more than fifteen years. Previously, she was a clinical assistant professor within the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky, before transitioning to work directly for UK HealthCare. Prior to coming to UK, she worked as a speech-language pathologist and rehabilitation manager in skilled nursing facilities throughout central Kentucky for five years. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UK in 2001 and 2003, respectively. In 2015, she obtained board certification as a specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. In May of 2018, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky. Over the past few years, she has taught several courses as adjunct faculty for Murray State University and the University of Virginia.

Nathan Cass, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his medical degree from Ohio State University, where he graduated cum laude and was elected to the national medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha.  He completed residency training in otolaryngology at the University of Colorado, where his colleagues awarded him the Resident Teaching Award.  This was followed by a post-doctoral National Institutes of Health research fellowship at the University of Michigan.  He then completed a two-year fellowship in pediatric and adult otology, neurotology and skull base surgery at Vanderbilt University. As an otologist–neurotologist, Dr. Cass focuses on treating children and adults with disorders of the ear, temporal bone and lateral skull base.  He is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  He serves on several committees as a member of the American Neurotology Society and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  Dr. Cass leads research efforts to improve patient care and outcomes and has published 40+ peer-reviewed scientific research articles and numerous book chapters within the field of otology, neurotology and skull base surgery.

Trey Cline, AuD, CCC-A, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and his doctorate in audiology from the University of Louisville. He is currently a clinical audiologist at the University of Kentucky.  His clinical interests involve diagnostic audiology including central auditory processing disorders and appropriate rehabilitation techniques. In addition to patient care, he is actively involved in clinical research and is pursuing his doctorate in gerontology at the University of Kentucky with research interests in neuroaudiology and cognition in older adults.

Ashley Cubberly, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist based in Louisville, Kentucky at a large private pediatric practice. In addition to her master’s degree in speech-language pathology, she earned a Graduate Certificate in the Advanced Treatment of Fluency Disorders. Ashley is passionate about stuttering treatment, continuing to seek out ways to expand knowledge and proficiency in this area of the field. Ashley holds a Spero Ally of Stuttering Seal designation and direct stuttering community involvement. She is a co-leader for the Louisville chapter of the National Stuttering Association and leads monthly stuttering support groups for children.

Amanda Davis, AuD, is a research assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She presently works as a research audiologist in the UNC Cochlear Implant Clinical Research Lab, on a team dedicated to investigating individualized mapping techniques for cochlear implant patients. She graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and in 2023 with a Doctorate in audiology. Among many things, Amanda is passionate about providing high-caliber audiologic care to the adult cochlear implant  patient population, the intersections of audiology and social health, and finding creative, community-based approaches to dismantling barriers to accessible audiologic care in areas facing healthcare inequities.

Tommy Evans, AuD, CCC-A, is a pediatric audiologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center (CCHMC).  He provides various clinical services which include behavioral diagnostics, auditory brainstem response evaluations and amplification services.  Tommy has been employed at CCHMC since 2004 and currently serves as the Hearing Aid Program Coordinator.  His primary interests and specialties include pediatric amplification, telehealth, student development, functional outcomes, process-improvement methodologies and advocacy for audiology on the state and federal levels.  He received his master’s degree in 2003 and Clinical Doctorate in 2005 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  Tommy is a member of the American Speech-Language-Association (ASHA) and Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association (KSHA).  He maintains a Kentucky license in both audiology and hearing instruments specialist.  He currently serves on KSHA board in lieu of his position on the ASHA Committee of Ambassadors.  He also serves on the Kentucky Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Board (KCDHH).  Tommy currently resides in Union, Kentucky with his wife Tiffany, and their three children. In his spare time, he loves the outdoors, playing basketball, enjoying family time and watching college sports.

Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a speech-language pathologist and certified lactation counselor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Erin holds a Proficient DIR®Floortime Provider Certification and is a TBRI® Trained Practitioner. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences disorders from the University of South Carolina with her master’s in speech pathology. She is the regular co-host of the First Bite: A Speech Therapy Podcast with Michelle Dawson.

Nikki Gaylord, EdD, CCC-SLP, CScD, is an assistant professor at Murray State University in the Center for Communication Disorders. Dr. Gaylord has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for more than 23 years. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeast Missouri State University.  She completed a doctorate of clinical science in speech-language pathology in 2019 from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and a doctorate of education in P-20 leadership from Murray State University in 2022.  Dr. Gaylord’s current research interests include exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in athletes, exercise-induced dyspnea, voice disorders and ethics in speech-language pathology.

Maggie Goode, AuD, is a pediatric audiologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Her primary interests include diagnostic testing (infant through emerging adulthood), electrophysiology and amplification. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2014. Outside of her passion for pediatric audiology Maggie enjoys spending time with her family and dog, Toodles, summer time Jeep cruises and a hot yoga class.

Amy Grosnik, AuD, earned her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Brock University in Ontario, Canada, and her Doctorate of Audiology at Central Michigan University. Dr. Grosnik is a member of the inpatient audiology team and leads the audiology ototoxicity program. Her clinical work and research include ototoxicity monitoring during oncology treatment and diagnostic and treatment services for the medically complex pediatric population.

Tiffany Hammond is the voice behind the popular social media account Fidgets and Fries. She is an autistic mother and advocate. She is a storyteller, using her own personal experiences with autism and parenting two teen boys with the same diagnosis to guide others on their journey. Her activism is rooted in challenging the current perception of autism as being a lifelong burden, cultivating a community that explores the concept of Intersectionality and autism, and inspiring thought leaders through storytelling, education, and critical discourse. She has a master’s degree in developmental psychology from Liberty University. Tiffany is an autistic speaker and autistic consultant who currently uses her lived experiences to inform her audiences of the issues that matter most to this community, with emphasis on the Black Autistic experience.

Morgan Hill, MS, CCC-SLP, MHA, is an acute care speech-language pathologist who received her bachelor’s degree with a focus in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Virginia in 2016, followed by her master’s degree in speech, language and learning from Northwestern University in 2018. Morgan started her career with Baptist Health Lexington in 2018 and throughout the course of her career, developed particular interests in clinical quality and process improvement. This influenced Morgan to pursue her master’s in health administration, which she completed in July 2023. Morgan aims to combine her clinical background with health administration knowledge to improve the overall patient experience.

Joel Katte, MEDL, has been a staff developer and speaker since 2013. His IGNITE #loveinschools professional learning experiences and keynotes instantly catapult school and district cultures to greater levels. Joel developed his program to inspire all to maximize their relationships and moments with students, colleagues, families and community members. He helps professional realize the most important relationship is the one they have with themselves and then equips them with tools and a renewed commitment for maintaining healthy work/life harmony. Joel is an experienced secondary English teacher, elementary school principal and district administrator over alternative schools. Throughout his career he has served students of all ages in both urban and rural settings. He has served the most at-promise students as well as the most gifted. Currently, he teaches at the Success Academy, a dropout reengagement program in Lexington, Kentucky. Joel earned his superintendent’s license from the University of Kentucky, masters degrees in educational leadership from Aurora University and in general pedagogy from Morehead State University.

Katelyn Kelps, MS, CCC-SLP, is a school based speech-language pathologist and also owns a small private practice. Katelyn has been a speech language pathologist for nine years, holding a variety of positions including high school and elementary speech-language pathologist, assistive technology specialist and gestalt language specialist. She is passionate about augmentative and alternative communication, gestalt language development and affirming social language. Her passion is working with individuals and their teams to become confident communicators across a variety of settings and people.

Maggie Kettler, AuD, is an audiologist and senior clinical director at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She specializes in diagnostics and treatment of hearing impaired children from birth-21 years old.  She works with patients of varying ages and developmental needs.  Maggie is currently a member of the interdisciplinary cochlear implant team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She is a former president of the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is currently a member of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Government Affairs Coalition. She is also an active member American Academy of Audiology.  Maggie is leading the statewide effort of targeted congenital cytomegalovirus screening in Ohio.  She is passionate about serving not only our patients but also the audiology community.

Jenna Rayburn Kirk, MA, CCC-SLP, was a school speech-language pathologist for 10 years before working full time in educational resource design. She has a passion for creating speech and language therapy materials and writing about current topics in the field on her website TheSpeechRoomNews.com. Jenna has authored more than 800 best-selling resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, has been featured in the ASHA Leader, and presents at local, state and national conventions on topics related to school‑based therapy. Jenna completed an assistive technology certificate and has interests in language, literacy and augmentative and alternative communication.

Carol Koch, EdD, CCC-SLP, is a professor at Samford University. Much of her clinical work has been in early intervention, with a focus on children with autism spectrum disorder and children with severe speech sound disorders, including childhood apraxia of speech.  Her research and teaching interests have also encompassed early phonological development, speech sound disorders and childhood apraxia of speech.  She has been honored as an ASHA Fellow and is a board certified specialist in child language. Recently, she published a textbook, Clinical Management of Speech Sound Disorders:  A Case-Based Approach. She is also a co-author of the Contrast Cues for Speech and Literacy and the box of set of Cues for Articulation Therapy, the Multisyllabic Words, and the/ɹ/ Inventory and /ɹ/ Facilitating Contexts for Therapy products through Bjorem Speech Publications.

Erin Larsen, MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) in south Louisiana. Her passion and expertise lie within the early intervention population, both in treatment and supervising speech-language pathologists. She is passionate about cultivating confident clinicians, increasing parent/therapist relationships and ultimately increasing carryover of skills into the home environment. She is the owner of Speech Tea, LLC and the founder of The Speech Therapy Toolbox and the Early Intervention Academy for SLPs.

James Liau, MD, FACS, practices the complete spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He also specializes in pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery and craniofacial surgery, focusing on comprehensive treatment of children with cleft lips and palates, congenital craniofacial deformities, as well as other more unique congenital problems requiring pediatric plastic surgery. After graduating from medical school at University of Kentucky (UK), he went onto his internship at University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. He returned to UK to complete a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency and then pursued his fellowship in pediatric reconstructive surgery and craniofacial surgery at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kellie Lozano, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist specializing in infant and pediatric feeding disorders. She currently works at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital where she enjoys serving patients in their level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Her special interests include aerodigestive anomalies and complex feeding issues in tiny babies. Kellie earned her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Kentucky in 2012. She has taught pediatric feeding courses at the master’s level and also frequently serves as a clinical supervisor for aspiring feeding therapists.

Jazmin Mercado, MS, CCC-SLP, earned her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky in 2018.  She is currently a clinical speech-language pathologist at Ephraim McDowell Health in inpatient acute care and outpatient care working with the adult and geriatric population. Throughout her professional career, she has worked in various clinical settings including inpatient acute care, outpatient care, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. She provides clinical supervision for graduate students completing their clinical rotations. Her clinical interests include swallowing disorders, head and neck cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Donna Morris, MA, CCC-SLP, is the director of clinical education for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky where she coordinates off campus clinical positions for graduate students.  She also teaches clinical experiences in speech-language pathology at the undergraduate level and clinical practicum courses at the graduate level.

Tim Nejman, AuD, CCC-A, is an audiologist who works at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. His previous work experiences included providing a variety of audiological services to both the pediatric and adult populations. His interests include amplification (traditional and bone conduction devices), the use of advanced hearing aid features for the pediatric population, selection of prescriptive hearing aid fitting formulas for children with acquired hearing loss,  single sided deafness and auditory processing disorders. He received his Doctor of Audiology from the Ohio State University in 2009.

Brittany Nunn, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and from Southern Illinois University in 2012 with a masters degree in speech-language pathology.  Brittany started working for Baptist Health Paducah in 2015 where she provided services for both acute care and pediatric populations.  Services provided include bedside swallowing evaluations, modified barium swallow studies, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow, speaking valve placement, evaluation and treatment of aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia and cognitive impairments.  Brittany also serviced medical complex and developmental delayed pediatric patients working on feeding, speech and language development.  She began servicing the neonatal intensive care unit population in 2016 and became a board certified neonatal therapist in 2022.

Christen Page, PhD, CCC-SLP is an assistant professor for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky.  She is a licensed speech-language pathologist with expertise in dementia and aphasia rehabilitation.  Currently, she coordinates the University of Kentucky Aphasia Lab to enhance life participation for individuals with aphasia. Her research interests and publications include interprofessional education, scholarship of teaching and learning and quality of life for residents in long-term care.

Rachael Pierce, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, has been a practicing speech-language-pathologist (SLP) for six years. Feeding became a specialty area for her in graduate school when she served as a peer mentor at the feeding clinic. Rachael continued to specialize in feeding after graduation. Once she was pregnant with her own child, she felt that breastfeeding her son would be fairly easy with her background. When that did not prove to be the case, Rachael found that her education in lactation was lacking and sought out further education and licensing, and became a  Certified Lactation Counselor. Rachael’s goal is to ensure that she is helping other breastfeeding families through both her SLP and lactation education.

Erin Pinsky, AuD, CCC-A, is a pediatric audiologist in the division of audiology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She has worked at Cincinnati Children’s for 15 years and specializes in auditory brainstem response testing. Her current research is focused on CHARGE syndrome in the neonatal population. She is a native Cincinnatian, avid runner, wife and mother of three.

Emily Plowman, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of dysphagia (swallowing disorders) who is a professor in the department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Ohio State University.  She established and directs the Aerodigestive Research Core (ARC) laboratory. She has held consecutive National Institutes of Health funding since commencing her academic career in 2009 and holds current R01 funding from the NIA, NCI, NINDS and NINR, as well as the Department of Defense, ALS Association and Children’s Miracle Network. She is known for being a prolific mentor and was recently awarded the prestigious NIH Story Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship and the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions Doctoral Mentor of the Year award. Finally she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2022 for her contributions to the field with this award, one of the national organizations highest honors.

Lauren Prather, MS, CCC-SLP, is a doctoral candidate at the University of Cincinnati (UC) in communication sciences and disorders, where her current research focuses on assessment bias in early language assessments. Her research interests are centered around equitable language and literacy practices for underserved populations. She received her Master of Science degree from Tennessee State University in communication sciences and disorders and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Memphis in communications. Before starting her pursuit of a doctorate in August 2017, Lauren worked as a speech-language pathologist for Cobb Pediatric Therapy Services and Let’s Talk Therapy in Atlanta, Georgia. This includes her clinical experience in both the school setting and private practice. She has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address students’ communication, educational and social needs with various disability classifications. In February 2020, she organized and facilitated Talking Black in America documentary viewing event at UC, which featured the executive producer, Walt Wolfram, and esteemed faculty from UC on a panel. Then in February 2023, she was featured as a highlighted Black History Month speaker to discuss the Talking Black in America documentary at Northern Kentucky University. Currently, she is writing her dissertation where her research is in collaboration with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, supervising graduate clinicians at the UC, practicing as a part-time virtual clinician, serving on the board of directors for the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH), serving as the public relations chair and co-chair of the NBASLH’s mentoring program, and the co-host of her shared podcast called Speech Tea with the Laurens.

Hanna Prince, MA, CCC-SLP, received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marquette University in 2012, her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Elmhurst College in 2015 and her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from George Washington University in 2017.

Virginia Ramachandran, PhD, AuD, is the head of audiology at Oticon, Inc. She has been with Oticon for more than six years. She spent a decade at the Henry Ford Medical Group as a senior staff clinical audiologist and research coordinator of the Division of Audiology at Henry Ford Hospital and as the clinical educational coordinator of the audiology program at Wayne State University.

Virginia is currently the president of the American Academy of Audiology. She has also served as president of the Michigan Academy of Audiology and as a member of the board of directors of the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education. Virginia is a co-author of three textbooks and numerous articles and book chapters. She currently serves on the audiology editorial board of Plural Publishing, Inc. She earned her BSW, MSW, AuD, and PhD from Wayne State University. She studied instructional systems development at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. She completed her certificate program in Animal Audiology at the University of Northern Colorado and is a certificate holder – Audiology Preceptor from the American Board of Audiology.

Richard Roberts, PhD, is Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations for the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is also serving as interim director of audiology. His primary research interests include assessment and management of vestibular dysfunction. He has served on the board of directors of the Alabama Academy of Audiology, the American Academy of Audiology and as a trustee of the American Academy of Audiology Foundation. In 2021, he was recognized by the American Academy of Audiology with the Clinical Excellence in Audiology award. In 2022, he was honored as Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Aimee Sayre, MA, CCC-SLP, is the clinic director for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky where she supervises graduate students in the evaluation and treatment of children with speech and language disorders. In addition, Mrs. Sayre teaches Introduction to Diagnostics in Speech Language Pathology at the undergraduate level and Clinical Practicum courses at the graduate level.

Stephanie Schaaf, EdD, CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor and academic and program director at Murray State University. In addition to supervising students, she enjoys teaching graduate courses relating to speech sound disorders, language, research, professional issues, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Before transitioning to the university, she worked in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing, home health and public schools. Her current research and clinical pursuits include supervision, ethics, phonology, AAC and leadership.

Meg Shake, MS, CCC-SLP, was born in Lexington. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Wake Forest University in 1989 and her Master of Science in communication disorders from the University of Kentucky (UK) in 1995. Her career began in private practice, but she soon returned to the UK where she has served in different capacities for more than 28 years, including teaching, supervision and as a staff therapist in the outpatient clinic. Stuttering and speech differences involving fluency are a passion; about 60 percent of Meg’s current caseload is comprised of individuals who stutter. Meg has completed over 300 continuing education units in the area of stuttering and associated topics and amassed over 5,000 treatment hours with individuals of all ages who stutter and their families. She has presented at KSHA, the PRePARE Conference, and in the UK Lunch-n-Learn series on stuttering evaluation and treatment. Meg is currently a candidate for BSC-F (Board Specialty Certification – Fluency) through the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders.

Lisa Sheff, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist. She has been practicing occupational therapy for 30 years. Lisa has been working with children and early intervention for 25 of those years. She has treated a variety of diagnosis through the years from mild delays to medically fragile child to children with apraxia. She received her degree from San Jose State University in California. While there, Lisa was able to receive training from many certified instructors in a variety of treatment theories, such as sensory integration, neurodevelopmental techniques (NDT) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF). She has continued to enhance her therapy and skills by learning myofascial release (MFR) and kinesio taping as well as many others. Utilizing the knowledge of sensory diets, body movement, skill development and overall strengthening, the skills of our children are solidified and enhanced. Lisa believes working together with an interdisciplinary team approach, the skills of therapists, as well as our clients’ development, can only be a benefit.

Nancy Silbernagel, AuD, CCC-A, is a pediatric audiologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she has worked for the last eight years providing audiologic care in diagnostics and hearing aids. She has been an audiologist for 20 years and graduated from the University of Minnesota with her master’s degree in communication disorders. She obtained her doctorate in audiology through A.T. Still University. Dr. Silbernagel’s professional interests include hearing health care equity and access to care.

Debra Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is director of the Voice and Swallow Clinic and an professor in the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has been a speech-language pathologist for 24 years and has worked across a number of settings, including acute care, acute rehabilitation, outpatient and skilled nursing facilities. Her primary clinical and research interests focus on assessment and treatment of adults with swallowing disorders. Together with Dr. Steven Leder, she developed the Yale Swallow Protocol, a tool used to identify aspiration risk. She has presented her work locally, nationally, and internationally, and she has published a number of manuscripts in peer-reviewed publications. She is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders, a fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a member of the Dysphagia Research Society.

Adria Thompson, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist with more than nine years of experience in dementia care. She is the owner of Be Light Care Consulting, where she creates educational content for professional and personal caregivers on social media platforms. Adria also provides one-on-one caregiver consultations, creates continuing education courses and works with senior care companies and brands to market their services. She holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. With a passion for increasing awareness of dementia care, Adria is a sought-after speaker who has presented at conferences and events across the country.

Tammy Wigginton, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S,  earned her master’s degree in speech language pathology from Murray State University in 1991. She is currently a senior clinician at the University of Kentucky’s Voice and Swallow Clinic. Tammy has worked in academic medicine for more than 21 years where she has been involved in the education of future speech-language pathologists as well as residents and fellows within the departments of otolaryngology and radiology. Tammy specializes in evaluation and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders associated with head and neck cancer. She is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders and a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Dysphagia Research Society. Tammy regularly lectures on issues regarding rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer.

Kristi Wurth, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, NTMTC, graduated from Murray State University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and from University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2002 with a master’s degree in speech and language pathology. She has been working at Baptist Health Paducah since 2004 where she has provided speech-language pathology services for the acute care population. Services provided include bedside swallow evaluations, modified barium swallow studies, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow, speaking valve placement, voice prosthesis change, aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, and cognitive evaluations and treatments. Kristi advanced into a supervisory role in 2010 and began servicing the neonatal intensive care unit population in 2011.  In 2017 she became certified in neonatal touch and massage, and became a board certified neonatal therapist in 2022.

Michele Zaparanick-Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a Master of Arts in speech-language pathology.  During her more than 25 years of service as an speech-language pathologist, Michele has provided assessment and treatment services that span all ages and a variety of settings. Before her current position in the acute care setting at University of Kentucky Healthcare, Michele worked in the UK Voice and Swallow Clinic, serving the head and neck cancer population. Michele is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders (BCS-S).  She is a member of Dysphagia Research Society, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association (KSHA), and previously served as KSHA Treasurer and KSHA Scholarships and Grants Committee Chair.