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Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

From the May 2008 issue of the et cetera

 (Just mailed to MSHA members)

From the President

Mission Statement: The Mission of the Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association (MSHA) is to provide professional support and development, public awareness, and advocacy for professionals in communication sciences and disorders and the individuals they serve.

   We are nearly half way through the year of 2008, which is almost incomprehensible. The annual MSHA conference in Kalamazoo is complete, with what appears to be great success. Kudos to Jeanne Slowley and the Program Committee for all the great work they did to make this event successful. The sessions were timely and informative and local arrangements were excellent.

   Dr. Nickola Nelson, the ASHA 2007 Frank R. Kleffner Clinical Career Award winner, provided the keynote address at the MSHA Awards Luncheon. Her insightful comments about inspiration and clinical practice are on pages 2-3 of this newsletter and will be of interest to all of you.

   The MSHA Executive Council has approved the concept of a change in the governance of our association. It is hoped that MSHA might better serve the needs of our members and to encourage members’ active involvement, without creating an unnecessary burden in your professional practices. Please consider service on an advisory board or committee in MSHA to ensure that all professionals in every work setting have input into statewide decisions. The benefits you receive professionally and personally are sure to exceed the investment you make. The rewards truly are worth it.

   Since taking office in January, there have been at least 3 issues that have come before the Michigan legislature that directly impacts the practice of speech-language pathologists or audiologists. Stephanie Johnson-Wuttke, MSHA lobbyist, has been instrumental in navigating the state legislature on issues that potentially affect each of our professional practices. This year seems to be ripe for the passage of the speech-language pathology licensure law. This important legislation protects our clients from receiving intervention from individuals who are not qualified and trained in treatment of communication disorders.

   As "helping" professionals, it can feel awkward advocating for ourselves rather than our clients. It’s not necessary that we all become radical activists, but it behooves all of us to be informed and to participate in the process in any way we can. Please plan to attend MSHA’s Legislative Day in Lansing on May 14, 2008. Julie Pratt, VP of Legislation, has provided an agenda for this very important event. If you have never talked with your Michigan Representatives or Senators face-to-face, your efforts are especially important this year.

   I hope to see you in Lansing. Look to the back page of this newsletter for more information and for some insightful remarks from one of last year’s participants.

       Mary Peterson, Au.D.

                    MSHA President