You Know Someone or Someone Knows You.
Published in the March 2026 issue of the ISHA Voice.
By Danila McAsey, member of the Honors Committee
For those of you who have had the opportunity to attend an ISHA convention, you will know what I mean when I say that we are an organization of amazingly gifted and innovative speech-language pathologists and audiologists, who practice in a wide variety of settings. We are therapists, teachers and researchers, often some of each, dedicated to our professions and generous in our willingness to share with colleagues. Attending this year’s convention reinforced these thoughts for me as I participated in sessions and attended the Honors presentations. There are so many professionals across our state who are more than worthy of the recognition of their peers.
Sometimes, it doesn’t occur to us to nominate a talented colleague or that we know a peer who might be eligible. I would like to disabuse you of that type of thinking, because you do know someone or someone knows you as a creative therapist, outstanding mentor, innovative researcher or amazing instructor. I am reaching out to you today to take the initiative to help recognize these individuals. Below you will find a brief description of the ISHA Honors, along with a link to the process and forms for nominations.
Honors of the Association: is the highest honor of the Illinois Speech-Language Hearing Association for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. While this award is often given toward the end of an individual’s career, it is not always necessarily so. Recognition may be accorded for the quality of an individual’s achievements and their impact on the profession and those whom we serve. As an example, Mary Kirwan-Johnson was recognized for her work in the Champaign area school district both as a gifted clinician and special education director responsible for low incidence populations and those with multiple disabilities. Through ISHA she worked at many levels from committees to service on the Executive Board.
Illinois Clinical Achievement Award: the recipient is also the Illinois Nominee for the ASHFoundation Louis M. DiCarlo Award for Recent Clinical Achievement. The Illinois Clinical Achievement Award recipient and the DiCarlo Award recipients are selected for their advancement of knowledge in clinical practice as evidenced by significant accomplishments within the past six years in audiology and/or speech-language pathology. As an example. Carrie Kerr was recognized for her work in spear-heading the development of a picture communication board with her local area group to be used by first responders and for developing a training module for first responders in the use of the communication board.
ISHA Fellowship Award: recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service within the profession and the state of Illinois. A nominee must have been active in the profession and ISHA for at least five years. Fellows may be nominated by any ISHA member in good standing. As examples, Jordan Bowman was recognized as an outstanding clinician, for her knowledge, sincerity and approachability in her leadership and advocacy in her workplace, as well as support of ISHA, audiologists and speech-language pathologists through her work on ISHA committees, Executive Board and as the Illinois StAMP to ASHA. Jeni Baron was recognized for her resourcefulness and initiative as a clinician, assuming leadership roles in her work as a school clinician and with ISHA on the Representative Council, School Affairs committee, mentorship program and as an Illinois Special Education Coalition Liaison.
Exemplary Practice Award: recognizes exceptional clinical-based, school-based, academic, research, and/or leadership practices by Illinois licensed speech-language pathologists (SLP) or audiologists. As examples, Mari Bliss was recognized for her work as a dedicated clinician, author, presenter and professor, educating numerous professionals on bilingual language development and assessment in the schools and clinical settings. Karen Kockler was recognized for her exceptional leadership for clinical and school-based services, and advocacy at the local, state and federal levels.
Award For Distinguished Contributions-Special Honors: This award shows appreciation for individuals, corporations, institutions (including legislators or media outlets), or businesses that have made a significant and unique contribution to the professions of audiology and/or speech-language pathology; to ISHA; or to persons who have, or who potentially might have, hearing losses, communicative disorders, or swallowing disorders. As an example, Jim Morphew, the ISHA lobbyist in Springfield, was recognized for his tireless and effective representation in Springfield of audiologists and speech language pathologists across the state
Nominations are due May 15th. Information, instructions and forms for the awards can be located on the ISHA website Honors Process.
The time is now. You do know someone or someone knows you who is deserving of the recognition of their peers.
