Awards/Honors

The Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) recognizes outstanding contributions to the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology through its prestigious awards. 

Nominations for 2026 award recipients are now being accepted.

Submit a Honors of the Association Award Nomination

Submit a Distinguished Service Award Nomination

Submit a Ida J. Stockman Award for Diversity and Infusion Nomination

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Nominations for the MSHA 2026 Outstanding Healthcare Clinician Award are now being accepted!

Deadline is November 8, 2026!

Submit a Outstanding Clinician Award Nomination

Nominations for the MSHA 2026 Outstanding School Clinician Award are now being accepted!

Deadline is November 8, 2026!

Submit a Outstanding School Clinician Award Nomination

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 

    The Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association is proud to announce our 
 

Robin (Dovitz) Pollens, M.S., CCC-SLP, attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate, majoring in both
Psychology and Speech & Hearing Sciences. Her graduate training in Speech Pathology continued at U
of M in 1977 and included work in the Residential Aphasia Program. Robin then provided direct speech
language pathology services for adults for over 40 years in various clinical settings, including hospitals,
outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities and extensive work in home health.
Beginning in 2001, she also served as a Clinical Instructor at Western Michigan University, becoming an
Adjunct Assistant Professor in 2007. She co-created the Aphasia Communication Enhancement Program
(ACE Program) with her esteemed colleague Sandra Glista. Robin provided clinical supervision for
graduate students, developed interprofessional programming, and fostered a supportive community for
people with aphasia and their families.
She was a presenter at conferences and published articles in peer-reviewed journals and textbook
chapters. One focus area was palliative & hospice care, advocating for inclusion of the SLP to support
communication access during end-of-life care. Her second area of focus described innovative
programming for people with aphasia and in graduate education, using the Life Participation model of
care. She was a 2023 Recipient of the Sandra O. Glista Mentorship Award from Aphasia Access.
Robin is a Life Member of MSHA and has participated in conferences over the decades. She served as
the MSHA Chair of Committee on Ethics from 2009 -2012 and continued as a committee member until
2016.
In retirement, Robin is an active volunteer in her community. She provides support for refugee families,
coordinates the social action committee within her temple community, and is a “Story-Catcher,”
interviewing and recording life stories of patients in hospice. Congratulations to Robin Pollesn on receiving
the 2026 Honors of the Association Award.





Bridgette Pletz, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist with the Chippewa Valley School
District in Clinton Township, Michigan, where she is affectionately known as “Coach Pletz”. She has been
practicing since 2017 and earned both her BA and MA from Wayne State University. Bridgette holds
certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, is a member of Michigan
Speech-Hearing Association, and is a Macomb Assistive Technology Leader.
In her school-based practice, Bridgette provides collaborative, classroom-centered services utilizing
curriculum content as well as push-in/pull-out models using Story Champs, Lively Letters, and the
Expanding Expression Tool to strengthen speech, language, and literacy skills. She has extensive
experience across educational and clinical settings, including private practice and community-based
services.
Bridgette is passionate about holistic approaches that bridge gaps and foster accessible
communication. She believes that when students are acknowledged, respected, and supported with
intentional care, they grow into confident leaders who exude kindness. When she puts her “coach” hat
away she spends time with her family including her two cats enjoying her hobbies of knitting, gardening,
audiobooks, and sourdough. Congratulations to Bridgette Pletz on receiving the 2026 Outstanding
School Clinician Award. 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   



Past Honors of the Association Recipients                
(in alphabetical order)

Past Distinguished Service Award Recipients
(in alphabetical order)