State Speech Language Hearing Association Conference Draws Large Turnout

Approximately 400 audiologists and speech-language pathologists from across the state gathered for the Mississippi Speech Language Hearing Association Annual Continuing Education Conference last month in Natchez, Miss.

Dr. Kimberly Ward, an assistant professor in the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department at The University of Southern Mississippi, served as chair for the conference. Amy Rosonet Lebert, clinical instructor in the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department, serves as president for the state organization.

The conference provides professionals quality continuing education units (CEU) approved by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). The conference schedule was packed with nationally renowned experts in our professions from across the nation.

The topics covered included swallowing and feeding management for adults and infants, professional issues, vestibular evaluation and management, dyslexia, augmentative communication, Autism Spectrum Disorder, aphasia, cochlear implant management, literacy, fluency, as well as hearing aid updates and early intervention.

Ward notes that she “was honored to serve as chair of this year's conference. Even though the planning and implementation process begins nearly a year in advance for this conference and is highly time-intensive, I have a strong belief and commitment to volunteerism and to ensuring our professions remain relevant and up-to-date. Chairing this conference allows to me to help in some small way to further advance our professions and colleagues within the state.”

Rosonet Lebert echoed that she was “very pleased with the conference offerings this year and believes MSHA's annual conference is outstanding and top-notch. MSHA, and USM, are grateful to have such a servant leader like Kim to advance our state association as well as our colleagues.”

For more information on the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association, visit www.mshausa.org.