Empowering Our Community: A Message from the ISHA President

Dear ISHA Members,

When I reflect on my journey with ISHA, the word that resonates most is empowerment—a key component of our mission:

To empower aspiring and practicing audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and assistants through advocacy, education, collaboration, mentoring, and networking.

My own ISHA story began in 2007, when I was a student at Eastern Illinois University and presented my research at the ISHA Convention under the mentorship of Mr. Frank Goldacker and Dr. Rebecca Throneburg. That experience was my first glimpse into the power of connection, advocacy, and professional growth that ISHA fosters. It inspired me to stay engaged and give back to an association that has given so much to our professions. I have proudly been an ISHA member ever since that first convention.

As I step into this role, I want to acknowledge Valerie Boyer for her outstanding leadership as ISHA President this past year. Valerie has modeled the very essence of our mission through her collaborative spirit, support, and mentorship not only to me, but to our entire association. Her steady guidance and passion for advocacy have positioned ISHA for continued strength, and I am deeply grateful for her partnership as I begin this new chapter.

This summer, your ISHA Executive Board was hard at work strengthening the foundation that empowers ISHA and working on achieving goals that align with our 2024–2026 Strategic Plan. I had the privilege of representing ISHA at the Spring Council of State Speech-Language-Hearing Association Presidents (CSAP) Conference in May. CSAP brings state leaders together to share strategies for advancing our professions. It was affirming to see that ISHA is already leveraging key resources from ASHA, including the Student Advocacy Grant, and that our initiatives in membership engagement, student involvement, and convention planning were recognized by other states as exemplary.

A major theme at CSAP was our shared responsibility to ensure long-term organizational strength and sustainability. Advancing this goal means championing advocacy, and this summer, we saw that advocacy delivers real results. Following extensive efforts by ASHA, state associations (including ISHA), and nearly 20,000 advocates, CMS reversed its prior stance on provisional licensure. Clinical fellows (CFs) can again bill Medicare Part B as long as they hold a state license. This is a huge win for early-career professionals and demonstrates the impact of collective advocacy.

At the state level, ISHA continues to evolve to better serve you. At our June Executive Board meeting, the Assistants Task Force officially became the Assistants and Supervisors Committee within the Division for Professional Services, with Karen Kockler and Burgandy Nicoson stepping in as co-chairs. This change ensures we are addressing the needs of both assistants and those who mentor and supervise them.

We are also excited to share new professional development opportunities. Our Virtual Education Series was designed to help meet IDFPR requirements for our current renewal cycle and includes seven on-demand courses with a total of nine hours of content. These sessions cover critical topics such as ethics, DEI, supervision, dementia, and school-based workload advocacy. Our ISHA series is available through October 31, 2025, so please take advantage of this valuable resource and our discounted ISHA membership rate: 2025 Virtual Education Series.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the 66th Annual ISHA Convention, taking place February 19–20, 2026, at our new location—the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, Illinois! We are thrilled about this new venue and the opportunities it brings for connection and growth. This in-person event will provide an incredible platform to empower member advocacy, networking, and learning as we come together to strengthen our professions and elevate our impact.

I want to express gratitude and celebrate our members and leaders:

• Thank you to our outgoing Executive Board members for their years of service and leadership:
  • Jordan Bowman: Past President
  • Sarah Moon: VP, Division for Professional Affairs
  • Candace Tablerion: VP, Division for Association Affairs
  • Mohammad Al Rjoob: Student Representative (speech-language pathology)
  • Maria Angel: Student Representative (audiology)
• Welcome to our new Executive Board members, who officially began their terms on September 1, 2025:
  • Heidi Verticchio: President-Elect
  • Ashleigh Pierce: VP, Division for Professional & Consumer Communication
  • Nicole Bing: VP Elect, Division for Professional Services
  • Karen Cannon-Janettas: VP Elect, Division for Legislative & Regulatory Affairs
  • Leslie Guca: VP Elect, Division for Audiological Affairs
  • Grace Jacobs: Student Representative (audiology)
  • Isabella Knaack: Student Representative (speech-language pathology)
  • Nichole Mulvey: VP Elect, Division for Educational Development
• Special congratulations to our ISHA Executive Director, Paul Doggett, and his wife Kimmie, on welcoming their daughter, Bobbie Marie, this July!

As we enter this new season, I encourage each of you to embrace ISHA’s mission and seek opportunities for empowerment—whether that means mentoring a student, joining a committee, advocating for your patients, or simply staying connected to our vibrant professional community.

Looking forward to a fall filled with purpose, growth, and collaboration. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to advance our professions for the benefit of those we serve.

In solidarity,
Danielle R. Osmelak
President, Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association