Committees

PSHA is looking for committee volunteers to provide their expertise. You can be as involved as you like and volunteer as much time as your schedule allows. PSHA appreciates your involvement, and you will be giving back to your state association while you gain new skills and increase your knowledge about professional topics. To join, email the committee chair for the committee you are interested in.

Schools Committee

Meets 4th Wednesday of the Month from 7:00-8:00 pm
Chairs:
MT Sabatino and Joe Ashenden
Dr. MT Sabatino                     Dr. Joseph Ashden

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Schools Committee is to facilitate an efficient advocacy platform for speech-language pathologists working in PK-12 educational environments and to communicate current trends influencing professional practices across the state of PA.

Committee Goals for 2025-2026

  • Generate guidance document for PA School SLPs re: comprehensive evaluations and eligibility.

  •  Increase membership and outreach: 

    • Increase visibility via website and social media outlets. 

    • Continue advocacy via policy and legislative input. 

Resources

See our PSHA Schools Committee Page

 

Government Relations Committee

Meets 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 pm

Email:  [email protected]

Chair:  Tamara Sepe

Tamara Sepe

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Government Relations Committee is to identify and prioritize legislation that may influence the practice acts provided by the members of the association. In addition, this committee will inform members on legislative advocacy efforts.

Committee Responsibilities

  • Attend regularly scheduled meetings.

  • Review and discuss legislative items sent by the lobbyist.

  • Engage in communications between members and lobbyist.

Committee Goals for 2025-2026

  • Educate current and upcoming professionals on advocating for and enacting legislative changes. 

  • Provide support in developing Hill Day advocacy events. 

  • Build member engagement through development of a list of PSHA members willing to act as liaisons with elected officials on relevant policy and legislation. 

Convention Committee

Meets as needed
Chairs: Mary Weidner and Mandy Mahoney
 

 Dr. Mary Weidner                      Dr. Mandy Mahoney

 

Committee Purpose  

The purpose of the Convention Committee is to organize and coordinate exceptional professional development offerings that address contemporary practice and issues impacting the field of communication sciences and disorders. Working diligently with the Executive Board to address life-long learning, this balanced committee will meet the needs of practitioners, researchers, and students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.

Committee Goals for 2025-2026

  • Develop and implement a convention that meets continuing education (CEU) requirements and supports professionals across practice settings.

  • Curate diverse, evidence-based sessions that address current trends, best practices, and innovations in the field.

Healthcare/Telepractice Committee

Meeting times vary

Email:  [email protected]

Chair: Staci Sorrell, Chair Elect: Lindsey Houtz

 Staci Sorrell

 

Committee Purpose

The Health Care-Telepractice Committee is a coordinating committee that functions as a liaison to the PSHA Vice President for Professional Practice: Speech-Language Pathology. The purpose of the Health Care-Telepractice Committee is to facilitate an efficient advocacy platform for speech-language pathologists working in health care-telepractice environments and to communicate current trends influencing professional practices across the state of PA.

Committee Goals for 2025-2026

  • Discuss legislative items related to healthcare and telepractice sent by the lobbyist and provide feedback. 

  • Host grand rounds events for members and students regarding trending topics in the healthcare field.

  • Increase committee membership and attendance in monthly meetings.

  • Increase the number of members from our committee that present at the annual convention.

 

Private Practice Committee (subcommittee of Healthcare/Telepractice Committee)

Meeting times vary

Email: [email protected]

Chair:  Jill Shook

Jill Shook

 

Committee Purpose

The PP Subcommittee is a subcommittee of the Healthcare and Telepractice Committee. The purpose is to facilitate a platform for private practice owners and employees to learn more about and advocate for issues affecting private practice in PA. 

Committee Goals for 2025-2026

  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in state insurance plans, including Medicaid and Highmark.

  • Advocate for SLP-related concerns with the state Tri Alliance, a group of AOTA, APTA, and ASHA private practice owners in PA. 

  • Share information about private practice with SLPs throughout the state.

 

Resources

DEIA Committee

Meets 3rd Wednesday of Month from 7:00-8:00 pm

Community of Practice – Headed by Students meets Last Wednesday of the Month from 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Email: [email protected]

Chair- Louise Keegan

         Dr. Louise Keegan

 

Committee Purpose

The DEI Committee is a coordinating committee that functions as a liaison to the PSHA President Elect. The purpose of this committee is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in PSHA, and in our greater communities, so that we may work together to remove barriers and create an environment of inclusivity.

 

Committee Goals for 2025-2026

  • Continue to offer events promoting DEIA and advocacy.

  • Launch a mentorship program. 

  • Enhance social media presence.

  • Encourage increased student participation in committee and events.

 

Resources:

https://www.asha.org/practice/multicultural/?srsltid=AfmBOooYqKniCegbd82djeFyuELjVzAzqAIbcOjNRwn19l4lymaa4y2H 

 

 


Higher Education Committee 

Meeting times vary

Email: [email protected]

Chair: Dana Bitetti

Dr. Dana Bitetti

Committee Purpose

  • The purpose of the PSHA Higher Education Committee is to support the development and retention of future speech-language pathologists and audiologists throughout the state.

  • The Higher Education Committee serves as a liaison between the PSHA board and speech-language pathology and audiology education programs.

  • The Higher Education Committee monitors legislation and policies that affect students, faculty, and staff.

  • The Higher Education Committee will collaborate with other PSHA committees as needed to enhance clinical training programs and professional development.

Committee Goals for 2025-2026

  1. Communicate with educational programs regarding legislation and policies that affect faculty and students.

  2.  Facilitate collaboration between faculty and clinicians to create research partnerships and to enhance the training of students.

  3. Provide support to new faculty and clinical staff in higher education programs.

  4. Work with the PSHA board and committees to enact policies that support retention of SLP and Aud students in the field and state post-graduation.

Resources

SLP Program Frequently Needed Links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/130ugHAgn9OC9tJNqKHtCzaHerpqthqEdtijV6xif4NA/edit?usp=sharing

Early Intervention Committee

Meeting times vary

Email:    [email protected]

Chair:  Brie Glover

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the PSHA Early Intervention Committee is to support the practice of speech-language pathologists and audiologists who work in early intervention services throughout the commonwealth. The Early Intervention Committee monitors legislation and policies that affect children we serve and service providers. The Early Intervention Committee will collaborate with other PSHA committees as needed to enhance service delivery and efficiency.  

Committee Goals 2025-2026

 

Resources